March 2024

Disputes concerning wills and inheritance can be tricky and sensitive, and the courts have jurisdiction to make changes, says Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash

When a person dies, their estate is administered in accordance with their wishes in the will. If the deceased does not have a will and dies intestate, the intestacy rules govern the distribution of the estate.

There are a number of grounds to contest a will. One ground considered by the courts is whether the deceased had the relevant mental capacity to understand their decisions at the time the will was signed. A person making the will must be of ‘sound mind, memory and understanding’. Dementia and old age is often a common complaint in deciding whether the deceased had capacity, but it is not the only factor. A failure to satisfy the test could result in the will being invalid.

It is important that any lawyer advising on the will checks whether the person making it understands the consequences of their actions and is of sound mind. If this did not happen, you may have a claim in negligence against the professional.

A will can also be overturned for undue influence. If you feel the deceased was pressured, forced or coerced into making the will or the content of it, this may give rise to an action to declare the will invalid.

If an individual feels they have been inadequately provided for in a will, this might result in a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The law allows close family members and dependents to apply to the courts for reasonable financial provision from the estate, where there is inadequate provision in the will. Here, the will remains in place but the law protects individuals in certain circumstances. The court’s award will depend very much on the individual circumstances.

If an individual relied on the deceased’s assurance of property and acted to his detriment as a result, the courts have jurisdiction to enforce the promise and order that the property is transferred from the estate to the individual, even if the will does not provide for this.

In the recent case of Gee vs Gee, the court found in favour of a son, John, who was cut out of a promised inheritance of farmland worth in the region of £8m. John worked on his father’s farm since the 1970s for low pay and gave up his own career in reliance on his father’s promise that he would receive “the lion’s share” of the farm. Before he died, the father transferred the asset to his other son, Robert, in 2014. Despite this, the court awarded John a 52% controlling interest in the farm and 48% interest in the land.

Edwards Duthie Shamash is located at 149 High Street, Wanstead, E11 2RL. For more information, call 020 8514 9000 or visit edwardsduthieshamash.co.uk

In the fifth of a series of articles to mark Wanstead High School’s 100th anniversary, former student Baroness Gillian Merron (class of 1977) reflects on her memories and a pathway that led to a role in the Coronation 

Born in 1959, I grew up on a council estate in Dagenham and travelled many miles on the 148 bus to get to Wanstead High School. It was on those long journeys I bonded with friends and homework was done. And on the way home, much time was spent hanging around Ilford, and conversations about every subject under the sun were had and then continued on the phone once we’d reached our homes. Everything seemed so important then.

My memories of Wanstead High School include going from one school site to another before Wanstead and Aldersbrook joined together to become a comprehensive. The hot summer of 1976 also stands out in my mind, along with the thrill of having lessons in the quadrangle. Then there was an exchange trip with a school in Denmark, which all seemed so exotic, and a geography field trip to North Yorkshire, where I didn’t make it to the top of Roseberry Topping. I also recall modelling the proposed new uniform for girls with my late friend Joanne Wallen so the school governing body could decide (which they did) to let girls wear trousers, which were previously banned. And on top of all that, there were many happy times in The George pub, where sixth formers and teachers would enjoy plenty of chat!

Wanstead High School was my route to Lancaster University to study management sciences, where I got my first and exciting taste of politics as a student union activist. My first job took me to Derby, where I became very involved in both my union and the Labour Party, such that in 1995, after many defeats at the General Election, and having been a business advisor, welfare rights advisor and trade union official, I took the big step of putting myself forward as a candidate and was selected – then elected in 1997 – as the MP for Lincoln. Having served as a member of the last Labour government for 13 years as an MP, whip and government minister in five departments, I lost my seat in 2010. I then volunteered, studied and worked for myself for a few years, after which I was appointed chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the representative body of the Jewish community.

Fast forward seven years and I was deeply honoured to be ennobled by Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, and now serve as Baroness Merron of Lincoln and Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care. Last year, I played a historic role in the King’s Coronation by presenting the Robe Royal to His Majesty as the Peer representing the Jewish faith.

And, of course, in all of this, I couldn’t have known that Wanstead High School would play a part in my life that would lead me to the House of Lords – something I could never have dreamt of.

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

A butterfly identification and recording workshop will take place in Wanstead Park next month.

“London is home to a surprising diversity of butterflies and moths. Over 25 of the UK’s 59 butterfly species can be spotted in the capital,” said a spokesperson for Big City Butterflies, which is organising the event in partnership with the Friends of Wanstead Parklands.

The free workshop – which will take place on 27 April from 1pm – will consist of a one-hour presentation at the Temple followed by a guided walk.

Visit wnstd.com/bfly

Rosemary Walker looks at the history of the Wanstead Grove Conservation Area and encourages residents to take part in Redbridge Council’s appraisal and management plan consultation

Wanstead Grove Conservation Area provides a well-preserved area of late-Victorian and Edwardian suburban housing that represents an important stage in the development of Wanstead from a country village to a middle-class London suburb.

The different periods of buildings allows one to understand the historic development of the area, while the largely unchanged forms and details of the houses result in an attractive and verdant suburban area. A number of architectural gems, including the large 18th-century house of Applegarth and the 1890s Arts and Crafts almshouses at Roding Cottages, Nutter Lane, further raise the standard of the area’s architectural interest. The well-maintained public open space of the Nutter Recreation Ground contributes to the rural feel of the winding path of Nutter Lane, and the historic Nightingale Green is a reminder of the area’s rural beginnings.  

During the mid-late 19th century, much of the land in Wanstead was sold for housing development. The residential dwellings constructed on the land were predominantly well-proportioned, detached and semi-detached. The Grove Estate was sold at auction in 1889 and the large country house – which stood on the junction between Grove Park and The Avenue – was subsequently demolished. The Grove Estate was gradually developed after 1889, starting with houses in Grove Park and The Avenue. Two 18th-century garden buildings, formerly part of the formal gardens, remain in the rear gardens of properties on The Avenue. A gazebo remains in the garden of 20 The Avenue, which is Grade II* listed, and a temple at number 14 survives and is also Grade II* listed.

In 1921, Nutter Field was donated to the people of Wanstead by the Nutter sisters (daughters of a wealthy cheese merchant and who the lane is named after) for the purpose of leisure and recreational use. 

By the early 20th century, the Estate was well established and development was dense. As a result, there were land shortages for further homes. This stimulated the construction of flats. The Shubbery, located on Grosvenor Road, was constructed in 1935 by Cockett, Henderson & Gillow for the North-East London Property Company Ltd. The apartment blocks are constructed in an Art Deco style and are now Grade II listed. Grove Cottage – which formerly stood on the corner of Nutter Lane and Leicester Road – was known to have been one of Wanstead’s oldest buildings but was demolished in 1957.

The Wanstead Grove Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan document will guide future development and design within the conservation area. The council now needs your feedback to ensure it incorporates local knowledge and responds to local priorities.

The consultation is open until 15 April. To take part, visit wnstd.com/grove

A former Wanstead resident is seeking help to organise more litter-picking sessions at Eagle Pond in Snaresbrook.

“Myself and the other Fabulous Litter Pickers group leader no longer live here, so we can only organise monthly events. More locals would be great. When I lived in Wanstead, I litter picked every Sunday and got the litter down to a good level so we didn’t have to spend so long,” said Shelley Holmes. In February, 10 bags of rubbish were collected, including a knife, which was handed over to the police.

Visit wnstd.com/fabpick

A project which hopes to make up to 50 new kneeling cushions (hassocks) for Christ Church is inviting the community to take part.

“In addition to sewers, we are looking for funders, designers and archivists to get involved. The kneelers can be made from a pre-designed kit or be a personal design. A record of each kneeler and the story behind them will be assembled to form part of our local heritage,” said Susan Allison. An introductory meeting will be held at the church on 17 April at 1.45pm (repeated at 7pm).

Visit wnstd.com/kneelers

In the sixth of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish explores the pathway of Easter, reflects on the century so far and urges us not to give up hope

Easter is almost as early as it can be this year, and it’s taken us all rather by surprise. I write this on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and it feels as though we’ve only just left Christmas behind! Nonetheless, the snowdrops have been out for quite a while and the daffodils are starting to poke their heads up in between the leaves, the grass and the never-ending stream of litter brought into my front garden by the Wanstead foxes. 

It’s amazing to think almost a quarter of this century has now gone by. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we all got excited (or not) about the Millennium Dome, and pictures were beamed around the world of the Queen looking rather nonplussed at having to hold hands with Cherie Blair whilst singing Auld Lang Syne as the clock struck midnight.  

At that time, it seemed like the biggest worry for the world was the millennium bug, which – you may recall – turned out to be a storm in a teacup. (For those under the age of 25, the millennium bug referred to how many computer programs used to represent the year with only two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900, and the inability of computers to distinguish dates correctly had the potential to bring down worldwide infrastructures, it was thought).

Yet, not much more than a year later, with the attack on the Twin Towers, it felt rather as though the world had entered a grim new era. Throw in several wars in the Middle East; the 2008 recession from which we never seemed to fully recover; the pandemic and goodness knows what else besides, and it’s clear that the 21st century has not got off to the most auspicious start.

Perhaps it was ever thus; after all, history doesn’t seem to be a mark of linear progress, and whilst we improve at some things, in other areas, it feels like we go backwards. In the Christian calendar, Lent is purposefully a time of scarcity and solemnity. On Ash Wednesday, we say ‘remember thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return’, whilst marking foreheads with ash. This practice may sound strange, but – whether we have faith or not – remembering that we humans sometimes need to take a rain check on our own species’ self-belief isn’t a bad thing. After all, it tends to be humanity’s hubris that leads us in destructive ways.

By the time you read this, we will be well into Lent and on the path through the darkest hours of Good Friday to the joy of Easter.  This is our annual reminder that, whilst dark days come for us all, and for the world, we can’t ever give up hope – not for ourselves or for others. Let’s not give in to cynicism and not put up with it in our local, national or international life either. The Christian faith believes in happy endings.

To contact Reverend James Gilder, email wansteadparishadmin@uwclub.net

In the 37th of a series of articles, David Bird from the Redbridge Music Society introduces local flautist Daniel Swani, who will be performing at Wanstead Library this month

Redbridge Music Society’s current programme of events aims to bring high-quality, live chamber recitals to the Redbridge public and to promote young, talented musicians by providing them with the opportunity to perform in front of an appreciative and supportive audience. On 12 March, outstanding young local flautist Daniel Swani will perform an exciting programme of works, ranging from the baroque to contemporary, including music by Bach, Fauré, Ian Clarke and others at the Churchill Room in Wanstead Library.

Daniel started flute and recorder lessons at the age of 10, and whilst attending Woodbridge High School he also studied at Redbridge Music School. He has fond memories of his time there and also of when he was principal flute in the Redbridge Music School Orchestra. He also studied at the Purcell School and the Junior Royal Academy of Music, winning the senior woodwind prize at both institutions. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra and was also principal flute with the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.

Daniel studied flute, recorder and baroque flute at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with first-class honours in 2021. Whilst a student, he won a number of prizes and awards, including the Nancy Nuttall Early Music Prize and the Jonathan Myall Piccolo Prize. He also gained a teaching diploma and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music (Junior Department), the City of London School for Girls and Wellington College in Berkshire.

Daniel is a particularly versatile multi-flute player, and since graduating, has embarked on a varied musical career. He is active as an orchestral musician – having performed with leading orchestras such as the Royal Opera House, BBC Concert and London Chamber Orchestras – and also as a chamber player and has played at major venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall. He co-founded the award-winning ensemble Parandrus, who have been featured on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show and Early Music Now and who perform internationally. 

Daniel is equally at home in musical theatre; he has performed in the West End show A Christmas Carol, recorded the music for the West End’s Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell and has performed with Damon Albarn for the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland. He has also recorded for BBC TV, Apple TV, Netflix and BBC Radio 3. 

Please come along to hear and support this exceptionally talented young musician.

Daniel will perform at Wanstead Library on 12 March from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £8). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.

Residents are invited to a night of country dancing at St Gabriel’s Church to celebrate St Patrick’s Day this month.

“Join us for a fun-filled night of country dancing to a live band. No experience is necessary as all the steps will be explained,” said a spokesperson for the Friends of St Gabriel’s. The event will take place on 16 March, with a family-friendly session from 6pm to 7pm; celebrations will then continue until 10.30pm (tickets: £15). All profits will support the church hall refurbishment fund.

Visit wnstd.com/stpat

Pay and display parking machines across Redbridge are no longer operational, with plans for a new PayPoint service to be introduced.

“PayPoint is a widely recognised scheme offering the opportunity to pay for a range of goods and services at local retailers… Later this year, the machines will be physically removed and replaced by PayPoint, enabling people to pay for parking in cash,” said a council spokesperson.

RingGo will continue to be the main method of payment for parking, via the app or by calling 020 3046 0010

A local runner has set an unofficial British record by completing 410 marathons in 410 days, running in Wanstead Park.

“The hardest part was getting up at 3am and fitting a marathon in each day before work! I ran to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery for the charity Hope for Justice. I chose to stop running, but those exploited can’t run away. I will continue raising awareness, but I won’t run another marathon for a while,” said Aaron, who has raised over £26,000 so far.

Visit wnstd.com/410

Woodford Arts Group, Art Group Wanstead and Essex Art Club will join forces for an exhibition this spring. Ged Rumak reports 

The Woodford Arts Group are delighted to present an inclusive celebration of local artists to be held at the Sir James Hawkey Hall this March. Joining us are Art Group Wanstead and Essex Art Club, collectively offering a stimulating celebration of the visual arts.

Irrepressibly creative, painters, printmakers, sculptors and artists working in a variety of media reflect the thoughts, ideas and talents in Woodford and Wanstead and the surrounding area. Recognising the importance of nurturing new voices in the art world, the work of sixth-form students from Woodford County High School will also be showcased. 

Opportunities to exhibit, view and purchase original art from local artists are rare in the local area. Recognising this, when the Hawkey Hall became available, the Woodford Arts Group decided its spring exhibition should be open to all local art groups to exhibit. When purchasing at this exhibition, buyers will not only gain enormous pleasure and brighten their homes, they will also support the local artistic community.

In addition, Woodford County High School’s jazz orchestra will be performing on 12 March between 1.30pm to 2pm. And further embracing the joys of music, Redbridge Music Lounge will be performing over the weekend.

Representing creativity in garden design and horticulture, the Woodford Greeners and the South Woodford Gardeners will be on hand to explain their activities and plans for the area.

Sponsored generously by The Stow Brothers and enthusiastically supported by Vision RCL, even if you have no intention of picking up a pencil, paintbrush, welding torch or musical instrument, I recommend a visit to this fun, dynamic and inspirational exhibition.

The exhibition will run from 9 to 12 March at the Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford, IG8 0BG, open from 11am to 6pm (free entry). For more information, visit wnstd.com/art