July 2020

A campaign is calling on Redbridge Council to extend Wanstead’s Grow Zones project to other parts of the borough.

“Grow Zones are areas on the edges of parks and road verges where the grass is left to grow long and naturalise with wild flowers over spring and summer… Wild areas can help nature thrive in cities and are a low-cost way the council can help address the biodiversity crisis,” said a spokesperson for Wild Wanstead, which has been working on the project with the council for the last two years.

Visit wnstd.com/gz

St Joseph’s School in Wanstead was closed down earlier this month having failed to find a new owner.

“It is with the deepest sadness that the trustees of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy have reluctantly taken the decision to close the school. We know there were hopes the school could be saved and a new owner found who would continue the school’s unique ethos. However, despite our best efforts, sadly, we have not been able to find a viable alternative to closure,” said Chair of the Trustees Sister Colette.

A statement from the Wanstead Fringe Association

“2020 is a year like no other, and inevitably that means the Wanstead Fringe just isn’t going to be possible. So, like Glastonbury, we’re thinking of this as a fallow year and hope to be back in 2021, bigger and better than ever. Having said that, we are cherishing the glimmer of hope that one special event might be feasible… we’ll be sure to let everyone know if it’s going to happen.”

The Woodford and District branch of the National Trust has issued an apology as the group’s recently announced new programme of talks has been put on hold.

“It seems unlikely that any of our meetings will go ahead as hoped, as both our venues – the Woodford Memorial Hall and All Saints Church hall in Woodford Green – have no plans to reopen for groups like ours for the coming few months,” said a spokesperson.

Call 07711 796 118

Wanstead is one of seven areas in Redbridge chosen by the council to be part of its Quiet Streets initiative.

“Wanstead has always been a green and quiet place and our objective is to try and enhance that. This programme will aim to reduce speeding, rat running and create more space for people to walk and cycle safely around the neighbourhood. At the start of lockdown, everyone noticed how much quieter the streets were and it would be good if we could keep some of the benefits of that. We want to have streets that are quieter, with more places for planting, and safe for our kids to play on,” said Councillor John Howard, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride.

The council has received more than £500k from TfL to fund the project and residents are invited to put forward their ideas on what improvements they would like to see.

Visit wnstd.com/safer

In the 10th of a series of articles looking at the work of Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, Janet West explains how they have risen to the challenge of coronavirus

We have worked hard keeping in contact with our service users over the last three months during these difficult times. For most of our services, such as advice and information, visiting, befriending, the Wanstead Activity Centre and falls prevention, we switched from face to face support to providing over 8,000 telephone befriending and over 1,000 welfare check calls, helping to identify immediate needs and putting in place timely support. We have dealt with a wide range of enquiries, from helping someone get a working fridge to replacing hearing aid batteries. 

Additionally, our Di’s Diamonds service users have benefited from their own dedicated Facebook page and some online activities set up by the coordinators using Zoom. Indeed, technology has been more and more important in reaching out to people during these troubled times and this has had a hugely beneficial impact on our older residents. Additionally, Brenda, who runs our popular art classes from the Cherry Tree in Wanstead, has been offering support by phone and also opportunities for students to access her art class videos online.

Of course, not all of our service users have access to the internet, and for them, a regular friendly phone call has been crucial to their wellbeing. Having someone to talk to when you are feeling low and unable to go out has been warmly received. We have set up a shopping and prescription collection service for those in need and have been truly humbled with the offers of help we have received from the public.

Our staff have been working from home, which has presented many challenges, but I’m glad to say that, thanks to their dedication, we have managed to overcome these! Our phone lines are still being answered as the calls are diverted to staff at home to deal with and we are now in the process of preparing our offices for a hopeful return in July. Our Wanstead Activity Centre may need to stay closed for a little longer and services within the centre may need to change when we do reopen.

Finally, a story from James, one of our service users in receipt of the telephone befriending service and Ellie, the volunteer who has been ringing him every week, even reached the BBC and was featured on Radio 4. It’s great to know that our services are really helping people when they need it most. You can listen to Ellie and James’ story on our Facebook page.

If you would like to know more about our services, refer someone you know for support or join in our activities, please get in touch.

In the fourth of a series of articles documenting the thoughts of anti-bullying ambassador Elsa Arnold, the founder of the Spreading Kindness Through E11 initiative talks about community spirit during lockdown

We’ve all faced our fair share of struggles over the last few months, from immense highs to rock bottom lows – it’s been really difficult. Our lives were flipped upside down within a matter of moments and we all suddenly found ourselves being forced to adapt to a new way of living.

Everyone is going to have a different story to tell coming out of this, our personal lockdown stories, because no one has felt the same about the situation and this has affected us all in completely different ways. In my own life, I’ve seen one thing that has kept people together and kept communities thriving: the power of kindness. The acts of kindness which have permeated throughout the streets of communities have been incredibly heartwarming to see and be a part of.

To highlight a few activities in Wanstead: there have been huge teams of people pulling together to support NHS staff through food donations and shopping assistance as well as great initiatives in helping combat homelessness and ensuring more isolated people are cared for during this time. All over the country, people have given so much time towards helping their neighbours, supporting more vulnerable households and boosting spirits and morale when it’s needed the most. The positive impact that communities have had on the lives of others has been incredible and really has kept people’s hearts alive.

I had an overwhelming response to a project I launched for Mental Health Awareness Week in May, and I produced a community video to show people, particularly at this time, that they are not alone. I think that’s the key, knowing we are never alone, no matter how bleak the road ahead may seem.

Seeing what the communities around me have achieved and put together without a moment’s thought is inspiring because we’re all in this together. Yes, none of us will have the same story to tell, but we can always be there for each other. No action is a small one, and we can all play a positive role in each other’s stories to make sure that in times like these, no one feels alone.

I am extremely grateful to be a part of incredible, uplifting communities doing so much for other people and I would urge anyone reading this to think about how they can make a difference to someone’s day beyond this pandemic. You never know what someone is going through, so keep being mindful, keep caring and keep helping to make sure everyone feels surrounded by love and hope, because we go through life together, never alone. Your actions really do make a difference. Let that be a positive one.

Thank you to everyone who has offered a helping hand to others. You will have made a bigger difference than you know.

What will Wanstead look like in a post-COVID-19 world? In the second of a series of articles, Chair of Wanstead Society Scott Wilding, who is exploring these issues as part of his job, offers his thoughts

Dealing with the new normal of a post-COVID-19 world is still a challenge for all of us. The virus has not gone away. People are still dying from this disease. And we all find ourselves coping with the challenges of daily life in many different ways.

Yet, we have to consider what our lives will look like. The below might give an indication of what’s to come.

Pollution and the environment
One of the side effects of lockdown has been better air quality. In the City of London, nitrogen oxide (the most harmful pollutant) fell by 35%, and in London as a whole, some pollutants were down 60%. But with shops and City Airport reopening in June and with those who can being encouraged to drive to work rather than take public transport, we could see a return – or even an increase – in some pollutants.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are indications we can keep the better air quality we have enjoyed. Firstly, many of us have noticed, and liked, the change. And for those with severe lung and breathing difficulties, a reduction in pollution means a better quality of life. Secondly, lockdown gave us all a chance to pause and reassess how we live. The council and TfL are both examining ways in which they can encourage walking and cycling. Wider footpaths and segregated cycle lanes are a must, but investment in existing high streets to make them pleasant places to walk in are also vital. And this leads me to the next point.

Local economy
The OECD predicts the world economy may shrink by 6% in 2020, with the UK hit hardest. So, it’s clear times are tough for all of us. But many of us have been shopping locally during lockdown and it’s now vital that we continue to support Wanstead High Street as much as we can. Our shops need our custom more than ever or many could face closure.

But the economy and the environment are closely linked. By shopping local, walking or cycling to the shops, we are helping to keep the lower pollution levels we have enjoyed. With many of us working at home, the opportunity to shop local has never been so obvious. A post-COVID-19 world could – hopefully – see a high street renaissance.

This month could see the wider opening of pubs and restaurants across the UK, and Wanstead has some top-quality eating and drinking establishments which need supporting. I’ll definitely be heading to the pubs when they open. And my reason? Go to the pub. Drink beer. Save local businesses. Possibly the only time you will ever get away with that excuse. So, let’s make sure we use it.

Rising at Molehill Green in Essex, the River Roding passes through the Wanstead and Woodford area en route to the Thames, bringing with it a very real flood risk to local homes. In the 10th of a series of articles, Nina Garner from the Environment Agency reports on the River Roding Project, which aims to reduce that risk. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

We maintain a wide range of flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) assets which reduce the risk of flooding to people and property. These assets could include, but are not limited to, embankments, pumping stations and flood gates.

The channel maintenance we currently have in our 2020/2021 programme for the River Roding in Redbridge is an annual check to be carried out in December 2020 to January 2021.  This involves our field teams walking the river, cutting back any overhanging vegetation to just above bank height or to allow reasonable access to the channel. They also remove woody debris from the channel to reduce the risk of snagging and clear any blockages larger than a football.

Due to coronavirus, the timing and nature of the maintenance works may change so we can adopt safe ways of working. In line with government advice, we are continuing to deliver all of our flood risk management projects where it is safe for our teams and delivery partners to do so. We are following the latest guidance from Public Health England regarding safe working.

We will publish an updated programme every three months to show progress (visit swvg.co.uk/rodingprogress). You can view the programme as an interactive map to see what is going on near you. To use the map, enter the desired postcode, then click on a feature to find information about the asset and planned work.

The Water Resources Act 1991 grants statutory powers to the Environment Agency to maintain main rivers for reduction of flood risk (sections 169 to 172), irrespective of channel ownership. These powers are discretionary and are exercised according to resources available and the flood risk pertaining in any locality. The legal duty to maintain a watercourse rests with the riparian owner (normally the owner of the land adjacent to the watercourse), irrespective of whether the Environment Agency chooses to undertake works.

Since our last article, we have received an indicative programme of works for the River Roding Project which outlines what will be carried out and when.

Back in October 2018, we carried out ground investigation works at four locations in Woodford on existing flood embankments along the River Roding. After analysing the information obtained, we were able to determine that works are required at two of the four locations to ensure the defences are fit for purpose. To determine exactly what works are required, we will be doing further ground investigation works in August.

We will also be conducting various surveys along the River Roding. These will include ecology surveys at both the flood storage area (FSA) site and Woodford defences and geophysical surveys, including trial trenching at the FSA site, which are proposed to be conducted between August and December 2020. These surveys will inform what work needs to be undertaken and inform the planning application, which we aim to have granted by August 2021.

Please keep an eye out for upcoming engagement events in March or April 2021 prior to the submission of our planning application. This will give you and your community an opportunity to comment on the proposals.

Along with many other monuments, the Sir Winston Churchill statue in Woodford Green was vandalised in June. Extremists are seeking to hijack Black Lives Matter for their own agenda, says Councillor Clark Vasey

Shocking images of George Floyd’s final moments on the streets of Minnesota have echoed around the world, and rightly sparked calls for action to address inequality on both sides of the Atlantic.

Fortunately, we don’t have the same issues with our police as they do in some parts of the US, and we can be proud of how our police serve all of our communities. However, there is more we must do to ensure everyone has the same chance to get on in life.

As we unite against racism and examine what needs to be done to improve the life chances of black citizens, this timely debate has been hijacked by extremists hell-bent on tearing down statues. They are not concerned about improving anyone’s life chances but care about furthering their extreme political agenda by controlling the past. It’s been helped along by virtue signalling politicians, like London’s mayor, for whom it’s a handy distraction from his city mismanagement.

I agree with President Macron when he said he would not erase French history. Indeed, few countries’ histories would come off well through the prism of today’s values. We should be honest about our history, but what matters most is the history we make now. This is where we can make a difference.

Statues across the country are being targeted to further an extreme agenda through undemocratic means. Tellingly, the bloodstained memorials to Marx and Engels are not on the list. The hit list is a mix of statues with vile links to the slave trade and a century’s worth of politicians they don’t like, but most bizarre to any normal person is the inclusion of the man who led the defeat of fascism, Winston Churchill.

While the country has been disgusted by the defacing of the Churchill statue in Parliament Square, residents of Woodford have worried about our own iconic statue, which has not been immune from thugs who ought to read some history rather than deface it. The statue in Churchfields ward was recently vandalised with spray paint, which was quickly removed. However, you only have to delve into the murky world of left-wing Twitter to see that a threat to the statue remains. Churchfields residents who have contacted me are right to be concerned. We have a brilliant Safer Neighbourhoods Team here, but we must all remain vigilant.

When commenting on the vandalism, Council Leader Jas Athwal seemed to lump Churchill into a wider review of the appropriateness of statues in Redbridge. Churchill is the man who led the defeat of the most racist regime in history. We should be proud to have one of the greatest Britons recognised in our area, and pride is exactly what residents feel.

Local resident Jim Reynolds (back row, centre) shares two photos from his teenage years taken in the early 1950s, when he would play ice hockey on the frozen lakes in Wanstead Park

These photos were taken at the Shoulder of Mutton Pond in Wanstead Park one wintry Sunday, circa 1951. They show a few friends from a group of about 18 ice hockey enthusiasts who would meet up on Saturday evenings to watch Harringay Racers ice hockey team playing their home games at Harringay Stadium. 

We would catch the number 25 bus from Ilford Broadway to Woodgrange Park Station. From there, onto the local train bound for Harringay Stadium where we would join some 8,000 spectators.

After the game, we would don our skates for a session on the ice, re-enacting the game! Then off to the chippy in Green Lanes for a bag of chips and a pickled onion! A dash up the stairs to catch the last train back to Woodgrange Park and walk back to Ilford Broadway, having always missed the last bus. Another enjoyable Saturday!

The skating at Wanstead Park, shown in the photos, would have been arranged whilst at Harringay Stadium one Saturday night.

And the gentlemen taking an icy dip were regular all-weather lake swimmers. They were taking their daily dip as my mates and I were on the lake for our ice hockey game!

Wanstead Climate Action is a community group keen to encourage local and central government to address the climate emergency. Here, Tina Nieman Da Costa talks about air pollution

Air quality was the main reason Daisy chose not to live in Wanstead. She was concerned about the effects of pollutants on the lungs of her unborn child.

This was not unreasonable; after all, there is nothing a parent would not do for their child. She checked government-sanctioned London air quality maps and made the decision based on the likelihood her child would not grow up with one of any number of respiratory disorders associated with air pollution.

There are millions of parents who are not as lucky as Daisy. For these parents, their sacrifices for their children and grandchildren are hindered by the increase in the burning of fossil fuels caused by the current uncontrolled hunger for economic growth.

It can be said, and rightly so, air pollution has decreased in the UK at a steady rate since the coal-burning carefree days of the Industrial Revolution, but a closer look reveals, as a nation, we have exported ours to manufacturing countries such as China and India and mining regions like central and southern Africa. Regardless of where it is created, what goes around, keeps on going around.

Exposure to carbon monoxide (one of the gases released by the turning of the key in any normal functioning combustion engine) can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea; moderate prolonged exposure is also linked to heart disease. Nitrogen dioxide, another gas created during the process of burning fossil fuels, causes inflammation in the lining of the lungs and reduced immunity to lung infections, leading to wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis. Higher levels can increase asthma attacks in children and causes a higher risk of heart complications in older people. Levels of these two pollutants have reduced significantly, as much as 55%, due to the current lockdown, according to research from King’s College London.

Since 2005, there have been efforts by the UK government to improve air quality. The tentative steps taken, however, are nowhere near the radical alterations needed for a brighter, cleaner future. The World Health Organization estimates seven million people die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution, 100,000 of those in the UK.

It’s left up to us. We can change our behaviour. Reduce our consumption. We can eat less meat, more local and more organic. We can drive electric cars. We can take fewer flights. We can make our phones and laptops last longer. We can be more than consumers. We can join groups to hold our government to account.

What we cannot do is deny the future children of planet Earth, Daisy’s children, your children, the right to a fresh breath of air.