November 2023

Thomas Finnis died 140 years ago this month. He was the last Lord Mayor to have a procession on the Thames. Melissa Ford from the East of London Family History Society explains the Wanstead connection

Thomas Quested Finnis was born in 1801 in Hythe in Kent. He was baptised at the local church, St Leonards, on 12 February 1801. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth Finnis.

Aged 14, his father paid £150 for him to do a seven-year apprenticeship to James Smith, a bowyer (a master craftsman who made bows; once a widespread profession, the importance of bowyers was diminished by the introduction of gunpowder weaponry). In 1823, he was admitted to the freedom of the Bowyers Company and by September, he was given the Freedom of The City of London.

Thomas married Ann Lydia Ward on 28 March 1828 at St Matthews Church in Brixton. He then went on to become a partner in a firm of provision merchants, Finnis & Fisher.

Thomas had a grocers in Tower Street, City of London, and he saw the opportunity to expand the business and provide goods for voyages which were started from the nearby docks, such as marine soap, which works in seawater. He then went on to import tobacco from Mesopotamia in Iraq. This side of the business was managed by his nephews. Today, if you visit the British Museum, you can see a set of marbles which was sent to Thomas in 1851 from Nineveh (the capital of the Assyrian Empire) by his nephews. Due to the location of the business in the City, Thomas became very involved in civic life, and in 1833, he became a common councillor.

So, what is the connection with Wanstead? Well, in 1840, he purchased Park Gates. This property was on the corner of modern day Blake Hall Road and Overton Drive, the entrance to Wanstead House, which was only demolished 16 years before. Park Gates was in a prime location, a sprawling house with gardens big enough to accommodate a boating lake. The census shows Thomas and Ann had many servants, with, at one point, eight living in.

The couple didn’t have any children but were very supportive of his many nieces and nephews. They were also patrons of the Wanstead Infant Orphans Asylum. In 1848, Thomas became an alderman as well as a sheriff and a deputy governor of the Irish Society. It was in 1856 that he became Lord Mayor – this was the last year that the Lord Mayor parade was on the River Thames.

Ann died in November 1861 after a three-day illness. She was buried in the family vault in Hythe. Thomas died at Park Gates on 29 November 1883. He was buried in Hythe on 6 December 1883. He left everything to his nieces and nephews. Park Gates was demolished in 1925, but two impressive stone gateposts placed there in 1715 can still be seen on both sides of Overton Drive.

The local branch of the East of London Family History Society meets at Wanstead Library on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 7pm. Call 07762 514 238

In the first of a series of articles to mark the 100th anniversary of Wanstead High School, former student Professor Donna-Maria Maynard reflects on a time in her life which ignited a passion for psychology

As I wander through the corridors of my memory, Wanstead High School emerges as a pivotal chapter, a place where I transformed, learned and grew. It was September 1981 when I ventured into the school, my heart aflutter with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

I felt overwhelmed initially; the corridors seemed endless, classrooms vast, and the school was adjoined to a sports centre. Here, under the guidance of PE teacher Mrs Hollander, I honed my skills in gymnastics and netball. 

A few remarkable educators stood out: English teacher Mrs Sihera – my first and only teacher of colour – introduced us to the wonders of Latin and the magic of musical theatre with a trip to Charing Cross Road to see The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ at Wyndham’s Theatre, igniting my passion for the arts. The adventurous spirit of French teacher Mr Carty led us on a memorable exchange trip to France. Mr Robinson, a music maestro, and Geography teacher Mr Moughtin were beacons of knowledge and left lasting impressions.

Upon entering the sixth form, Ms Poole, my tutor group teacher, inspired me every day with her care, kindness and professionalism. Mr Goodman, a brilliant Sociology teacher, introduced me to Durkheim and Goffman, opening a whole new way of understanding the world around me. Economics teacher Mr Rogers who, despite his humanistic spirit, took us through the intricacies of profit, loss and GDP, and reminded us that: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Miss Rossiter, the bike-riding English teacher, embraced an unconventional spirit, embodying wisdom with her mantra: “Feed a cold and starve a fever,” as she swigged cough syrup. These mentors nurtured my intellectual curiosity. Sixth form marked a period of newfound independence. It was a time of critical thinking, where I learned to question, analyse and not merely accept information at face value. 

Amidst the pursuit of academic excellence, my time at Wanstead High ended abruptly. I swiftly transitioned to the University of Warwick for my BSc, followed by the University of Sussex for my MA and psychologist training. In 1994, I relocated to Barbados, my parents’ homeland, where I earned my PhD at the University of the West Indies. Since then, I’ve stayed and was promoted to a full professor of psychology in 2019.

Looking back, Wanstead High School was my sanctuary of growth. It nurtured my independence and ignited my passion for psychology, shaping my resilience and diverse experiences. In retrospect, it wasn’t merely a chapter; it was the essence of my formative years, sculpting my character and preparing me for life’s adventures ahead.

For more information on Wanstead High School, visit wansteadhigh.co.uk

Local resident Delia Ray, a volunteer for countryside charity CPRE London, explains how the people of Wanstead and Woodford can help with a bold plan to mitigate the impact of climate change on the capital

Imagine a ring of trees providing shade and tranquillity in a seamless circle around London. Linking with existing areas such as Epping Forest, the woodland would absorb pollution, cool the environment and provide safe passage for local wildlife. 

It sounds like a dream, but countryside charity CPRE London is working with expert partners (such as The Woodland Trust) to make this ‘M25 of trees’ a reality. By planting saplings or reforesting neglected sites, gaps will be filled and access enhanced across the green belt.

We now need help from people in outer London areas such as Wanstead and Woodford with the first step: mapping areas which offer potential for planting. These places could include overlooked plots of land near existing woods, empty borders of a park, or fly-tipped scrubland. They could be council land, privately owned or part of the estate of schools or churches.

One site already highlighted to the team in Redbridge is the stretch of the River Roding near Chigwell Road (as pictured here). Borderland such as this could host new trees linked to neighbouring woodland, reducing run-off and flood risk. Other possible locations are the patch of overgrown land behind Eagle Pond, within the grounds of Snaresbrook Crown Court, and the land between Wanstead Park and Valentines Park, especially the overgrown spaces adjacent to the Roding. Can you identify any more locations? At this point, we’re simply mapping possible sites, and we will find out who owns them in follow-up stages. 

The next step will be planting. Like a natural forest, the new tree ring community forest will contain native trees, but also hedgerows, open plains, and even cultivated areas such as orchards, areas of nut trees and wooded margins for nature-friendly farming.

The forest will build on existing woodland in the green belt. The project directly addresses key requirements of the London Urban Forest Plan to create more woodland, especially species-rich woodland, in London. It encourages biodiversity, supporting vulnerable species such as the hedgehog and Pipistrelle bat. It will also help residents to enjoy access to nature – essential for the 1.8m Londoners with no garden, including an estimated 100,000 in Redbridge.

Currently, swathes of London’s green belt are under threat. The tree ring will therefore also help the green belt do its job. Without it, London could have spread out like Los Angeles, potentially sprawling across an area from Cambridge to Brighton.

Can you help bring this vision to life? If you know of possible locations for new woodland creation, please get in touch. There are also lots of opportunities to donate or get involved in other ways.

For more information and to submit your ideas, visit wnstd.com/treering

Colder and damper weather is here, which brings a seasonal shift of health concerns. But before you reach for the usual cabinet of remedies, examine your diet and lifestyle, says Fiona Flaherty

Immunity is the body’s resistance to both pathogens and disease. It is a sophisticated system of surveillance that identifies and neutralises potential threats. It needs to be effective, proportionate and precise – too little and it may compromise health and survival, and too much or poorly targeted may result in chronic inflammation, allergies or autoimmunity. 

We are generally born with innate immunity, which is passed on from our mothers when we are in utero. Acquired or adaptive immunity may arise as a result of exposure to pathogens or vaccinations to promote antibodies to fight potential pathogens. Here are five potential causes giving rise to low immunity:

Poor nutrition due to diets high in refined sugars, excess alcohol plus nutrient deficiencies (namely Vitamin A, C and D and the mineral zinc). 

Medications, including corticosteroids etc.

Poor gut microbiome – due to low consumption and diversity of vegetables and fruit in the daily diet.

Impaired barrier defences – including poor skin quality, pollutants such as nicotine, over-training responsible for increasing cortisol levels and therefore lowering natural immunity cells, plus heavy metal toxicity from contaminated foods and some chemicals found in smoking products.

Poor sleep – reducing natural immune cell memory and adversely affecting repair.

Attending to this list alone is the perfect road map to improving your own health outcomes and that of your family.

What’s Vitamin D got to do with it? Vitamin D is technically a hormone and belongs to a fat-soluble group of steroids needed to absorb magnesium, calcium and phosphate, alongside other roles, including strengthening bones. It is also essential in its interplay between managing cholesterol levels. Vitamin D supplements should never be taken unless a blood test is available to ensure an adequate therapeutic dose is given. Optimal levels are essential for strong immunity.

So, what else can we do? Here are seven natural remedies that – when taken as foods, spices, herbs, teas and tinctures – may help boost your immunity: garlic, ginger, turmeric, thyme, honey, echinacea and elderberry.

Taking our immunity for granted is a mistake. It needs a little work, but the rewards are immeasurable. There is nothing nicer than feeling really ‘well’. That’s something we should all work hard on improving every single day. Remember, this is a general guide and not intended to replace medical opinion.

Fiona Flaherty is a registered nurse and nutritional therapist based in South Woodford and Harley Street. For more information, call 07973 601 862 or visit meducatehealthcare.com 

ELHAP is a specialist playground for children with disabilities nestled in a large woodland off Roding Lane North. Fundraising manager Sophie Blythe is working to keep the magic of play alive

If you’ve ever travelled down Roding Lane North and wondered what was behind the big green gates, then you may be surprised to learn that, as well as a five-acre woodland boasting an ancient orchard and nature reserve, it is home to the country’s largest specialist adventure playground.

Since 1976, ELHAP (Every Life Has a Purpose) has been facilitating adventure and nature play opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and complex support needs. Each year, we host over 6,000 visits to our site and directly support 300 families. We believe it’s everyone’s birthright to be able to play freely and adventurously – but for many young people with disabilities, these opportunities are limited due to the numerous challenges they face.

At ELHAP, we remove the barriers. Our services are designed to give children and young people the freedom to ‘just be kids’, explore, be challenged and have fun! They can fly through the air on our zip wire, climb trees or our weird and wonderful wooden play structures, ride bikes, go bug hunting, cook over an open fire or take part in craft, music and dance activities. Assisted by our amazing team of playworkers, each child’s support needs are met and the opportunities for imaginative fun are endless.

Parents describe ELHAP as a lifeline. “You can’t imagine the precious break ELHAP gives me, every hour is absolutely precious. ELHAP takes away the stress for both of us,” said one mum. Families can enjoy desperately needed respite, which they often can’t access elsewhere. Children benefit from being active outdoors, but our sessions also help build resilience, confidence and self-esteem, whilst providing opportunities to socialise.

Like many frontline organisations, COVID-19 had a huge impact on our magical and unique charity. Today, due to the closure of other support services, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, demand for our playscheme is at an all-time high. We’ve been working hard to rebuild our services, and we’re delighted that this summer’s playscheme was the busiest it’s been since before the pandemic. However, there is still a way to go. There are many families in Redbridge who are, unfortunately, without any support at all and waiting for a place at ELHAP. We desperately need to raise funds to create more capacity. 

There are many ways you can support us directly, for example, by making a donation, taking on a challenge, volunteering or, if you shop at the Co-op, by choosing ELHAP as your local cause. Perhaps your workplace would be interested in becoming our corporate partner? And we are thrilled to have been selected for this year’s Redbridge Mayor’s Appeal, which will see a number of fundraising events and activities taking place throughout the borough.

ELHAP is located at 119 Roding Lane North, Woodford Green, IG8 8NA. For more information, visit elhap.org.uk 

A number of roads across Wanstead and South Woodford were included in Redbridge Council’s trial of a new – and fast – low-carbon fix for potholes.

“The injection patcher carries out rapid pothole repairs using a pioneering technique known as injection spray patching. Firstly, air is pumped at speed into the pothole to remove dirt and debris. Seconds later, the hole is sprayed with cold bitumen, followed by a layer of aggregate applied at high speed – the whole repair takes just a couple of minutes,” said a spokesperson.

Wanstead resident Frank Charles BEM is collecting gifts for his annual appeal.

“This year marks 20 years since I began delivering Christmas presents to children at Whipps Cross Hospital who are too sick to go home over the festive period. As usual, I welcome your support with donations of new toys, books or games. I would like to thank all Wanstead residents who have donated over the last 20 years,” said Frank.

Unwrapped presents can be left at Wanstead Pharmacy (75–77 High Street) until 6pm on 13 December.

Marian Temple of the Wanstead Community Gardeners reports on Ingrid Howarth’s latest work revamping another neglected patch alongside the Island Garden. Photos by Geoff Wilkinson 

In 2021, Ingrid Howarth turned the traffic roundabout opposite the gates of The George car park into a delightfully quirky Island Garden, much beloved by drivers and all who live near it. An enormous amount of work went into creating it and there is ongoing maintenance. You’d think that would be enough for Ingrid, but no. In the true tradition of us community gardeners, a forgotten, neglected patch of public soil needs to be adopted and transformed with another enormous amount of work.

Just a hop and a skip away from the Island Garden was the most forgotten and neglected patch in Wanstead. The challenge proved irresistible. Over 10 years ago, large concrete blocks sealed off a half-circle patch of land over the top of the A12 where the tunnel under George Green emerges. Maybe it was a security measure for the Olympics? Who knows? The blocks stayed and the patch went dormant, slowly filling with rubbish. Shrubs died and a thick mat of ivy covered the ground, swarming over the concrete blocks and obliterating the footpath. Overgrown, surrounded by roads and with the A12 emerging underneath, it was an unlikely site for a new garden.

Ingrid made the hop and the skip, saw the potential and got started. Some 37 builders’ bags later, the soil was revealed, ready for planting. The 37 bags – the ones that take a tonne of topsoil – Ingrid filled with a massive amount of accumulated rubbish, ivy and dead shrubs. Our thanks to the council’s wire truck crew who collected all this.

The soil revealed seemed to be tired, but once planting started, it got its second wind. Everything planted there seems to thrive. Stock came from the Corner House Garden, the Gravel Garden and, of course, Ingrid’s Island. This protected half-circle of future garden has its own micro climate and will probably be very sheltered in the colder months. Within an incredible 10 weeks, a garden had been created out of this sad, neglected patch. Next year, tall flowering plants will be visible over the concrete blocks. The locals, now using the long-lost footpath around the blocks, peer with delight into this secret garden. They are well aware of Ingrid’s record of magicking gardens from unpromising patches.

As well as making the interior attractive, Ingrid wanted to make the outside equally appealing. To keep the drivers happy, flower beds have been made outside the blocks along the footpath. She dug down into the gravel, created wooden surrounds from skip-harvesting and filled these frames with compost and soil from wherever. Again, everything planted there thrives. It’s a sight for sore eyes in the most unexpected of places.

For more information on the work of the Wanstead Community Gardeners, visit wnstd.com/wcg

Services of remembrance will take place across Wanstead and South Woodford this month.

Two events will take place on Armistice Day. The first will be at the Woodford War Memorial, outside St Mary’s Church in South Woodford (arrive by 8.40am). This will be followed by a service at the Snaresbrook Garden of Remembrance, off Snaresbrook Road, opposite Eagle Pond (arrive by 10.45am).

A final gathering will take place at the Wanstead War Memorial on the High Street on 12 November (arrive by 12.15pm).

A fundraiser has been launched in honour of a White-cheeked Turaco called Bob, who has lived wild in the Aldersbrook area for over a decade.

“I am raising money for the South Essex Wildlife Hospital to thank them for caring for Bob. He has become a local celebrity, but last month, I found him in our garden, unable to fly and wheezing badly. He is now being treated for a respiratory infection and is receiving the best care possible,” said Sarah Venis. Over £1,300 has been raised for the hospital so far.

Visit wnstd.com/bob

Wanstead resident Karen Myers is a champion of Redbridge Council’s Pollinator Pathways, a scheme designed to reduce the use of pesticides on our streets and help residents grow wild flowers outside their homes

Have you ever walked down a street and wondered why there were no weeds anywhere, or why the foliage around trees remained wilted and brown? This is because most streets in the UK are sprayed with weed-killing herbicides.

Many of you will know that Redbridge Council promote a scheme for residents to adopt the tree pit outside their own home and, instead of it being sprayed, sow wild flower seeds instead. This is win-win; there are fewer harmful chemicals in the area and bees and other pollinators have an extra source of food. This marvellous initiative has led to gloriously colourful pockets of nature. However, it still means the kerbsides in your street are being routinely sprayed with glyphosate, a herbicide which many other places are now phasing out. 

Last year, I happened upon a new Redbridge scheme: Pollinator Pathways. Residents take over their whole street and spraying stops. Five local streets are taking part: Addison Road, Chaucer Road, Spratt Hall Road, Woodcote Road and half of Overton Drive.

To join the Pollinator Pathways scheme, a certain number of residents from the road must commit to helping out and a leader in each road is needed to fill out the initial forms. This year, the five Wanstead leaders formed a WhatsApp group and found that each road organised themselves differently. In our road, we had one meeting all together and then decided to take care of different parts of the road in smaller groups. We formed a separate gardening WhatsApp group and regularly kept in touch, helping each other out with seeds, plants and advice. Other roads had working parties through the year and met in someone’s front garden at the end of the hour for a cup of tea and a chat.

According to Buglife, in the last 20 years there has been a catastrophic 60% decline in flying insects and the UK is infamously known as one of the most nature-depleted places in the world. Our beleaguered pollinators are poisoned by herbicides, face loss of habitat and cannot find enough nectar and pollen to survive – so schemes like this are vital. 

Other towns and boroughs across the country have drastically reduced spraying by using a more nature-friendly approach. In Redbridge, the Pollinator Pathways scheme is the first step towards reducing pesticide use and helping to reverse decades of nature decline.

It feels good to walk down a road knowing it has not been sprayed and that neighbours have come together to make the area a better place for everyone.

Tree pit adoption and Pollinator Pathways applications are open until 31 December. For more information, visit wnstd.com/pp

For more information on Pesticide-Free Redbridge visit wnstd.com/pfr

Volunteer bakers will be selling Christmas cakes this December to raise money for Haven House Children’s Hospice.

It follows the success of last year’s appeal, which saw 40 cakes sold in exchange for a donation to the Woodford Green charity, raising £1,288. “Thanks to all who continue to support us. If you would like to order a cake, please get in touch by 3 December. The suggested donation is £20 for a plain cake or £25 for an iced cake,” said organiser Sarah-Jane Mendonça.

Email havenhousechristmascakes@gmail.com