December 2022

Art Group Wanstead member and former teacher Claire Cousins tells the story behind her Nutcracker-inspired festive artwork

Swirling snowflakes, giant, jewel-coloured sweets, a beautiful sugar plum fairy and a proud nutcracker soldier… These are the images conjured up for me when I think of The Nutcracker, the wonderful ballet written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892. I have loved it since I was a child, always being fascinated by the spectacular imagery and the stunning music that transports me to this magical land every time I hear it. I have seen it on stage several times and it is truly captivating. There is certainly nothing better than The Nutcracker to induce that warm, Christmassy feeling!

Of course, nutcrackers were around a long time before the ballet was created and, indeed, the ballet was adapted from Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, written in 1816.

Nutcrackers originated in Germany, and started off as just that, a tool to crack nuts! Over time, they became more ornate until, one day, someone carved a soldier, and the nutcracker as we know it was born. 

Nutcrackers subsequently became a symbol of strength and bravery, believed to ward off evil spirits if placed outside the door and bringing good luck to the homeowner in turn. But it wasn’t until Tchaikovsky wrote his ballet and brought the story to life that they became associated with Christmas and began to adorn homes over the festive period.

I have had a passion for art my whole life, and my loving dad, who was a wonderful artist, encouraged my artistic talent from a young age. I always dreamed of pursuing art in one way or another, but I also wanted to be a primary school teacher and was lucky enough to achieve this. Of course, as a teacher, I was able to indulge my creative side and did so at every available opportunity. I not only taught art as much as I could, but also became the art coordinator and ran an after-school art club, which I loved.

With a busy career and then two gorgeous children coming along, I didn’t get a lot of time to pursue my passion: painting. Then, four years ago, I came out of teaching to become a private tutor, and alongside that, took up painting again, and I’m so glad I did!

When it came to Christmastime, I wanted to create some festive pieces, and it didn’t take long to come up with the idea of painting nutcracker soldiers. Here is the result, with my signature additions of glitter and collage elements, making them that little bit different and unique.

Wishing you all a very peaceful, nutcracker-filled Christmas!

For more information and to view more of Claire’s art, visit wnstd.com/cousins

From finding your stopcock to help with walking your dog, Priti Mistry from Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering offers advice on how older people can prepare themselves for the winter season

It is that time of the year again. Winter is upon us and it is starting to get cold. In many homes, the heating has been switched on. However, for some older people who are on a low income, they sadly end up leaving their heating off to make ends meet. Therefore, I want to share some tips that will help us all to get through the colder days and months ahead.

Test your heating
You don’t want to find out your heating isn’t working when you need it most, so it’s a good idea to get your heating system serviced every year in the build-up to winter to make sure it’s running safely and efficiently. Make sure gas heating is serviced by a qualified Gas Safe-registered engineer. If you’re a tenant, your landlord should check your heating system and appliances are safe at least once a year. If you own your home and are on means-tested benefits, you may qualify for a free annual safety check from your gas supplier.

Extra food
Keep some extra food in the cupboard or freezer just in case you can’t get out to the shops. Also, if you’d rather stay indoors, you could do your food shopping online and get it delivered to your doorstep. Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering also offer a home support service (paid for) where we can go out and do shopping for you.

Water pipes
Water pipes can freeze and burst, so it’s important to know where your main stopcock is and check it’s easy to turn in case you have to turn the water off. 

Slips and falls
To avoid a slip or a fall, keep a mixture of salt and sand handy to put on steps or paths. 

Dog walking
If you’re worried about walking your dog in icy weather, contact The Cinnamon Trust (call 01736 757 900). They may be able to match you with a dog-walking volunteer in your area.

Keep moving
Not only is staying active essential for your general well-being and fitness, it also generates heat and helps to keep you warm. When you’re indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour. Get up and wander about, maybe spread out chores throughout the day. Even moving your arms and legs and wiggling your toes can help you keep warm and well.

Money concerns
If you are concerned about your finances, our information and advice service provides support with benefits checks and income maximisation, including tips on reducing bills, debt advice and support accessing grants that may be available to you.

For more information on Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, call 020 8220 6000 or visit wnstd.com/ageuk

When it comes to cohabiting with your partner, Derek Inkpin from local solicitors Wiseman Lee asks whether the law needs to catch up with the way many of us now live our lives

It’s easy, isn’t it? If you live together as a couple, you are cohabiting. No formal marriage ceremony. The morality or otherwise of cohabitation has long since been seen as unimportant. For some, the word ‘marriage’ makes people shudder at the thought. Why ruin a good relationship by getting married?

On the other hand, lurking somewhere deep in the human psyche is the apparent desire to ‘cement’ a relationship by getting hitched, whether it’s a heterosexual or same-sex relationship.

Aren’t we all just relaxed about this now? Whatever you and your domestic partner decide is your decision. Nobody should interfere, let alone debate it as a serious subject in the pub because all that stuff from yesteryear about living together is so old hat.

In 2020, there were 3.5 million cohabiting couples in England and Wales. In 1996, there were 1.5 million such couples, an increase of 137%. In today’s Britain, nearly 50% of the babies born are to people who are not married, but it does depend on what ethnic group you come from because, for example, Asian mothers are more likely to be married. A 2006 study found that cohabiting couples with or without children are the fastest-growing family type in the UK.

The differences between children born in or outside marriage ceased to have importance in the sexual revolution of the 1960s. Has the cohabitation trend caught up with law? This is where the serious debate begins because the law treats unmarried couples differently when it comes to the transfer of assets between them for capital gains tax or inheritance tax purposes. If you die cohabiting with your ‘common law spouse’, leaving children without a will, you are intestate and your estate goes to your children, not the person with whom you may have had a long-standing relationship. As a couple, you may have purchased a house together, but one-half of the property may pass to the children who insist on the home being sold, thereby forcing the surviving co-owner to sell the property at a difficult time when the grief of death is still being experienced.

There is recognition that living together as a married couple is accepted by the state because, for social security purposes, since 1977, this has affected the calculation of means-tested benefits. However, if a cohabiting couple bring their relationship to an end, the ownership of assets between them will be decided according to property law. The courts have no discretion to reallocate assets as occurs on divorce. So cohabitation can work well for the couple concerned, but the law, you may decide, needs to catch up with the way that many of us live now.

Wiseman Lee is located at 9–13 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, E11 2PU. For more information, call 020 8215 1000

Wanstead’s history is full of cultural contributors, says local author Michelle Harris, who pens racy novels in between creating engaging content for businesses

Wanstead is renowned for its cultural heritage and buoyant High Street with numerous cafés and artisan shops. In this wonderful village environment, creative inspiration and expression has thrived. Whether writing about love and romance, or even anarchy, local literati have made their mark both on the national and international stage. 

I work as a copywriter during the day and founded local marketing and advertising agency Star Copywriting. But at night, when the computer is turned off, I pick up my Montblanc writing instrument to pen racy, romantic novels, which are popular with the local community and are selling internationally via Amazon. 

Thousands of books are piled high and on bookshelves throughout the house. An eclectic mix of French and English literature, poetry, history, art, philosophy, and even Jackie Collins and Harold Robbins. My favourite writers are Maupassant, William Shakespeare, Frederick Forsyth and Sylvia Plath for poetry.

Diamonds and Secrets – my debut novel – is a racy and romantic novel set in London, Prague, Munich and Venice. Upon its launch, local celebrity Michelle Keegan reviewed and commented on Twitter: “Ladies, if you want a really fabulous read, get Diamonds and Secrets.” My most recent novel, Gayle’s Secret, is a science fiction and political thriller set in the near future with intrigue, passion and a poignant social comment, which has been described as prophetic – especially with consideration for current world events. 

Other creatives from Wanstead include poet and writer Victoria Richards, who was highly commended in the 2017 Bridport Prize awards for her novel, Unthinkably, I Leave You. But it is not all love, romance and high drama. Another local writer, Colin Ward, educated at Ilford County High grammar school, advocated anarchism through his books, which he published almost annually from 1970 to 2012. Ward felt that: “Anarchism in all its guises is an assertion of human dignity and responsibility. It is not a programme for political change but an act of social self-determination”.

EastEnders actors such as Tom Watt and Jessica Wallace are other notable residents but also, one of the most revered cinematic names, Alfred Hitchcock was born nearby in Leytonstone. But the proverbial cherry on the cake is Wanstead’s cherry orchards, as referenced by poet Thomas Hood in the 1830s.

So, across multiple formats, our leafy suburb has inspired thoughts, political discussion and entertainment, but most importantly and for its residents – Wanstead is home.

For more information on Michelle and her novels, visit mbharrisauthor.com

Revd James Gilder is the new Priest-in-Charge of Wanstead Parish. Now that he’s finished unpacking at his new home, the Norfolk boy takes a moment to introduce himself and his thoughts on Wanstead

If you have wandered down Wanstead Place recently, you might have noticed there are new curtains up at the Rectory and possibly quite a few removal boxes outside. As this magazine’s publication date marks the end of my first couple of months as the new rector, and as you may have seen me through the window of the study, I thought I would introduce myself!

My name is James (some people call me Father, Rev, or possibly far worse, but I tend to respond to most things). Although everyone also calls me the rector, my official role for now is actually ‘Priest-in-Charge’ – hopefully, I will be bumped up to the true title next year (sadly, it doesn’t come with any increase in pay, and yes, I did ask).

I’m delighted to be in Wanstead, which is just down the road from Chingford where I used to minister, and from Walthamstow where I lived for several years when I was a primary school teacher. In the dim and distant past, I also practised as a solicitor. However, I am very much hoping that becoming a member of the clergy will be my last-ever career change and, God-willing, that I can stay in Wanstead for a good length of time and make lifelong friends here. I was originally a Norfolk boy and I love sailing as well as making music and a good pint of real ale, so I’m glad we retain here a quality selection of pubs!

Wanstead is undoubtedly a beautiful part of London and I count myself very blessed to live here. But what makes it truly special are all the fantastic people that live in our community. I’m constantly amazed, not only by the sheer level and variety of talent Wanstead people have, but also at their care for each other and their dedication to building a community here where people of all ages have a sense of creative fun. It’s great still to be able to live somewhere where you can walk down the street and bump into people you know; where there are lots of events going on and where young people can grow up in safety and security. 

We all have a part to play in building and maintaining this community, which is passed on to each generation. St Mary’s and Christ Church have been at the heart of so much of life here for centuries, and I’m hoping that during my tenure here, we can continue to build a loving and caring community of faith in the heart of Wanstead, with lots of opportunities for people of all ages to make friends, have fun, find spiritual comfort and even, occasionally, the odd challenge the Christian faith (and life, generally) presents us with.

Please be assured of my prayers, whatever your own situation is this Christmas, and I am very much looking forward to meeting you as we progress into 2023.

To contact Father James Gilder, call 020 8530 8743 or visit wnstd.com/parish

A local resident has published a vegetarian cookbook with recipes spanning four seasons and 20 countries.

“The recipes will boost your cooking confidence and prove that plant-focused food is delicious and satisfying! All fuelled into existence with ingredients from our wonderful local shops: Harveys, Simple ‘n’ Natural and the International Supermarket,” said Snaresbrook resident Red Willow, who works as a holistic health coach. A Year of Veggie Adventures is published by Upfront Publishing (£30).

Visit wnstd.com/ayova 

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this season, this is a remarkable year for the historic local football club Snaresbrook FC, says local resident and avid supporter Millicent Brown

Having been based on the picturesque Nutter Field in Nutter Lane, Wanstead for the past three-quarters of a century, Snaresbrook FC is currently doing brilliantly and top of their league.

Several years ago, it devastatingly looked as though the team, launched way back in the post-war era, might have to fold. However, thanks to the swift support and generosity of local pub landlord, soccer legend and icon Frank Lampard Senior, the team survived.

The input and continued backing which international superstar Frank’s nearby Nightingale on the Green pub has provided has been fabulous and, needless to say, following many a gruelling match, players and opponents descend there to enjoy a well-earned few hours of relaxation with a drink or two and tuck into the delicious pub grub! Rounding off their games, they all simply love the convivial pub atmosphere! “We are very community-minded and always extremely pleased to meet the Snaresbrook players at any time and give any assistance we can to the football club. We will be there 24 hours a day to help,” said Frank Lampard Senior.

Amazingly, last season, in April 2022, they reached the final of the Denny King Memorial Cup, sadly losing out 9-8 on penalties following a 1-1 draw with Runwell Sports during an action-packed thriller at Basildon United’s stadium.

It is many years since Snaresbrook FC – currently top of Division Two of the Essex Alliance League – launched way back in 1947. It started out as RAFARNO, consisting of a team of former Royal Air Force, Army and Royal Navy Officers. Many players from the old days still have links with the club, including long-serving Snaresbrook commander Paul “Stan” Staniford, who’s won many an accolade himself! Having launched the junior side (many now appearing as adults) when his son Sam was young, Stan has been an absolutely remarkable linesman. Stan – who began playing for Snaresbrook as a 17-year-old – received the prestigious title of Linesman of the Year three times, most recently with the shock award being made to him following the 2015/16 season! One of Stan’s juniors, striker Drew Barbier, who joined the club in the under-10s, is still playing 22 years later! In fact, he is the original one-club player who has never played for anyone else. Drew scored two goals in Snaresbrook’s most recent top-of-the-table home clash with Royal Forest when they won 2-0.

In fact, playing for your local team such as Snaresbrook FC can lead to great things! Indeed, one legendary team goalkeeper, Toby Smyth, actually made it into the England squad for the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA), playing against professional teams such as Blackburn Rovers as well as many foreign sides.

For more information on Snaresbrook FC, follow them on Twitter @Snaresbrookfc 

Redbridge Museum will open a new permanent exhibition early next year exploring 200,000 years of local history. In the 10th of a series of articles, Museum Officer Nishat Alam looks at some of the items on show

This month sees the launch of Ilford Limited: Analogue Stories, a new temporary exhibition by Redbridge Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. It’s our first major exhibition in three years and looks at the working life of employees of Ilford Limited, the world-famous photographic company with roots in Redbridge. In this article, I explore the history of the company and what you can expect to see in the exhibition.

Ilford Limited was founded as the Britannia Works Company in 1879 by Alfred Harman, who began to make photographic dry plates (used for capturing images before the invention of film) from the basement of his house on Cranbrook Road, Ilford. His business quickly grew, and Harman began to buy up houses on a new site on Roden Street, eventually opening a factory and offices.

Ilford Limited became one of the world’s leaders in the research and production of analogue photographic products, including plates, film, chemicals, papers and more. They bought smaller companies and opened new sites for the manufacturing of various products across the country and even globally. In 1976, the company moved to their Basildon site, and in 1983 relocated to Cheshire, where it is still going today as Ilford Photo.

The Ilford Limited archives and many of their products, packaging and other material relating to the company are now held in the collections of Redbridge Museum & Heritage Centre. A selection of this material will be on show in the new exhibition, including various cameras made by Ilford, like the Ilford Advocate (1949) pictured above, as well as packaging for their roll film in a variety of interesting designs.

One of the highlights of Analogue Stories will be a series of new portraits of former employees of the company by renowned photographer Eddie Otchere. Their stories are featured through extracts from interviews conducted earlier this year about their experiences of working at Ilford Limited and beyond. Also on display will be work by local photographers using Ilford products, such as Russell Boyce’s A Portrait of the High Street, a documentary project looking at the shopkeepers of Wanstead High Street, alongside photography and zines produced by local young people during workshops with Eddie and museum staff this summer.

The research gathered by the project team and participants now forms part of our archives at Redbridge Heritage Centre and enriches our existing knowledge about Ilford Limited. The stories will contribute in part to a new display exploring the history of industry in the borough in the new Redbridge Museum, reopening in Spring 2023.

Ilford Limited: Analogue Stories runs from 5 December to 12 March on the ground floor of Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford. For more information, visit wnstd.com/ilford

It is hoped the new children’s playground in Wanstead Park will be officially opened early in the New Year.

“The fencing has started to go up and further play structures will appear after Christmas, when we hope that the play area will be inspected by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and can then be declared open,” said a spokesperson.

The play area – to be located on former scrubland behind the Temple – is being constructed from natural materials found in Epping Forest.

The Wanstead Society has produced a 2023 calendar featuring local scenes.

“The calendars cost £8 each and can be purchased from Moments, 69 High Street, Wanstead,” said the group’s chair Scott Wilding.

Blossoming trees on Nutter Lane, daffodils on Christ Church Green and a snow-covered High Street are among the monthly images.

“We would like to thank Geoff Wilkinson, who provided all the photos, and Petty Son and Prestwich, who sponsored the printing. All proceeds go to the running of the Wanstead Society.”

Swan Sanctuary rescuer Gill Walker reflects on the recent outbreak of avian influenza and the impact it has had on wildlife across Wanstead and Snaresbrook. Photo of mute swan on Eagle Pond by Geoff Wilkinson

We are lucky to have three substantial swan flocks on local lakes, as well as swan pairs, many with cygnets, nearby. But sadly, the avian influenza virus that has been devastating our coastal sea bird colonies all year has now hit our local bird populations.

In early October, swans and geese with signs of avian influenza were seen at Fairlop Waters. Within a few days, sick geese were found at Valentines Park. Meanwhile, in Wanstead Park, the swan family that bred on the Shoulder of Mutton Pond moved to the Heronry Pond. Shortly after, one of their cygnets became unwell and died, and over the coming days, all three cygnets and both adults died.

Greylag geese were also reported with similar signs of illness at nearby Alexandra Lake and Jubilee Pond on Wanstead Flats. Within a few days, birds were observed with similar symptoms at Hollow Pond on Leyton Flats. There were deaths, and by the end of October, the disease was also established at Eagle Pond in Snaresbrook.

This strain of avian influenza, H5N1, is highly contagious and there is no treatment or cure. For this reason, The Swan Sanctuary (and other rescue centres) are unable to admit any casualties because of the risk of exposing existing bird patients and disabled resident birds to the virus. We know that some birds will recover naturally; we have seen this both at Eagle Pond and Hollow Pond. Sadly, many of our cygnets born this year have died as they have never previously been exposed to any variant of this type of virus and have no resistance.

We recommend leaving poorly birds on the water, in the environment they know, allowing them a chance to recover. Members of the public should not touch or pick up sick birds. Vets are unable to provide treatment and there is a risk, however small, that the virus can be transmitted to humans. If a bird is on the bank, vulnerable and distressed, please notify the RSPCA urgently, although all they can provide is euthanasia to prevent suffering. Poorly birds are unable to react quickly and are therefore vulnerable to dogs or predators. So, please keep your dogs on a lead near water bodies, especially as dogs that bite an infected bird could themselves catch the virus.

Thanks to the dedication of local residents Helen and Katie O’Rourke, we have very detailed data for Eagle Pond. The virus arrived at the end of October, and as of 16 November, from a flock of about 80 swans of mixed ages, 14 adults and 10 cygnets have died, along with 12 Canada geese. On the bright side, we know for sure three cygnets that were very poorly are recovering well, as have many adults.

You can help preserve and protect our precious birds by feeding them quality nutritious food. Plain wheat grain, seeds and oats, brown bread and commercially available swan pellets are all good supplements and similar to their natural diet. Never feed by hand, always feed in the water, and spread out the food to prevent a feeding scrum. All of our birds will be exposed to this horrible disease and we need to support them now, more than ever, to give them the best chance of recovery.

To help fund local swan rescue volunteers, visit wnstd.com/swanfund

To report an injured swan to The Swan Sanctuary, call 01932 240 790

To report an injured animal to the RSPCA, call 0300 1234 999

In 1822, every item within the great Palladian palace of Wanstead House was sold at auction. Two hundred years later, historian Tim Couzens gave a talk about his work in tracing some of those items 

On 27 October, I gave a talk via Zoom to the Friends of Wanstead Parklands. The subject was on the traced furniture from Wanstead House to mark the 200th anniversary of the great Robins Sale. Like any good antiques programme, there was an opportunity to guess some of the valuations. 

I am a local historian who has been researching Wanstead House for 40 years. In 2001, my book, Hand of Fate, The History of the Longs, Wellesleys and the Draycot Estate in Wiltshire, was published. Since then, I have continued to research the owners, their correspondence and their houses. A second edition of my book is planned for 2023.

The talk was in four sections. Firstly, Wanstead items traced to public collections. Their advantage is that you can go and look at them in their new homes – at Chatsworth and Wilton House, for example. It is surprising that only one piece from Wanstead has entered the Royal Collection: Schmidt’s Nautilus shell and silver cup.

There are very few items of Wanstead furniture in museums. A commode, extremely close to a Wanstead piece, is in the Met Museum, New York. Wanstead urns, which used to be in the V&A, have returned to the National Trust.

The second part was on items traced to private collections. It allowed us to look at the amazing quality of the furniture, starting with the Riahi Collection Boulle table. The largest collection from Wanstead went to Leigh Court near Bristol. This is why the picture of the morning room was used in the publicity for the talk. It gives us the best idea of what the interiors of Wanstead looked like, after the purchases of William and Catherine Long Wellesley, in about 1815. They were contrasted with other pieces, original to Wanstead, by William Kent.

The third part was on silver. This included a pair of Mandarin silver candlesticks. It was noted that much of the family wealth was ill-gotten gain from the East India Company.

The last part was on the pictures and tapestries traced from Wanstead. Many of the pictures were copies, some done by Kent. Given that the art collection was of lesser quality overall, it has ended up in some odd places, like Runcorn Town Hall. 

Wanstead furniture was world-class. In 2001, a record price was realised for a traced marquetry and Boulle table: £3.9m. There has been great interest ever since in attaching a Wanstead provenance to items of furniture, so the work will continue.

Only a fraction of traced items were included in the talk in October. A second talk is being arranged for the New Year.

For more information on the Friends of Wanstead Parklands, visit wnstd.com/fwp