July 2024

The Jack Petchey Foundation reflects on the life of the late entrepreneur from Manor Park whose philanthropy touched the lives of over a million young people

Sir Jack Petchey CBE was one of the UK’s most successful businessmen, with entrepreneurial ventures spanning travel, property and investments. From humble beginnings, Sir Jack was born in 1925 to poor working-class parents in Plaistow and grew up in Manor Park. Despite leaving school at 13 with no qualifications, he had already begun to demonstrate some entrepreneurial skills in working for the local greengrocer at the top of Goldsmith Avenue. 

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Sir Jack enlisted as a Police Messenger in East Ham and joined the Auxiliary Fire Service two years later as a motorcycle messenger. In 1943, he volunteered for service in the Royal Navy, joining the training ship HMS Collingwood.

Sir Jack did his first property ‘deal’ in 1948 when he purchased his mother’s house from her landlord for £800. He immediately sold the house for £1,200 and moved the family into plusher premises in Manor Park. The new house doubled as an office, which was fitting given Sir Jack’s habit at the time of sleeping behind the front desk so as not to lose any passing trade. In 1969, Sir Jack found a site near Albufeira, Portugal, and was, with the help of outside investors, the inspiration behind Clube Praia da Oura. It became one of the most popular mixed-use leisure developments in Europe and he took much pride in visiting every month. He supported a local orphanage and later introduced a charitable foundation in the Algarve.

The success of these companies, combined with some shrewd investors and investments along the way, enabled Sir Jack to be the driving force behind what has become a multimillion-pound empire. He appeared in the top lists of the UK’s most successful business people and his work ethic meant that, aged 93, he still came to the office every day. However, it was his dedication to philanthropy and a fundamental belief in the need to support young people that will be at the forefront of many people’s minds.

The Jack Petchey Foundation was established as a charity in 1999 and has invested over £170m in grants to support youth projects across London and Essex. Sir Jack strongly believed that, despite the problems and challenges young people face, focusing on these creates a negative spiral. By rewarding success and helping young people feel positive about themselves, he was convinced they would have the inspiration to reach their full potential. The projects his foundation has funded, which will continue in his name, have proved he was right in that belief time and again.

Sir Jack Petchey, entrepreneur, visionary and philanthropist died on 27 June 2024, aged 98 – or as he would say, almost 99!

For more information on the Jack Petchey Foundation, visit wnstd.com/petchey

A new app has been launched to enable quicker reporting of fly-tipping, missed bin collections, potholes and other local issues.

“The Love Clean Streets app is available to download for free from Google Play or the App Store, and lets you give a few details of the issue and add either a postcode or drop a pin in a map so our cleansing teams can find and tend to the issue,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/love

Applications are open for Redbridge Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) programme.

This initiative supports local projects aimed at enhancing green spaces, community facilities and health and wellbeing. NCIL funding is part of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected from new developments. Projects that meet the criteria can apply for up to £20,000.

Visit wnstd.com/ncil

Wanstead Park councillor Bayo Alaba was elected as the MP for Southend East and Rochford in the General Election earlier this month.

“It has been an honour for me to represent Wanstead Park. It is a ward I will always feel a deep connection to. Becoming an MP represents a new chapter for me, however, and means I will need to stand down in Wanstead Park in due time. Southend is a wonderful city, and is a place which I have had a connection to for much of my personal and professional life,” said Bayo, who received 38.8% of the vote, winning the seat for Labour. 

The first Redbridge Photography Awards has been launched, with participants invited to submit their best shots depicting people and places in the borough.

“We have some of the country’s most stunning parks, eye-catching architecture and vibrant communities, and we want you to capture them. Entry is free, and the winners will be invited to an award ceremony where their pictures will be unveiled as part of an exhibition,” said a spokesperson for Redbridge Council.

The closing date is 18 August.

Visit wnstd.com/rpa

A language café celebrating Hindi and Urdu will take place in Wanstead on 9 August.

“Artist Maliha Haider will help you learn about the languages through creative activities, such as crafting and poetry. The session will be supported by an experienced language expert to help you get the most out of the time,” said a spokesperson for Colours of Redbridge, which is organising the free event at the Cherry Tree Café (10am to 12 noon) as part of a programme of arts and culture across the borough.

Visit wnstd.com/languages

Redbridge Council has launched a consultation on the expansion of permit parking in Wanstead.

“We appreciate there are still many roads close to the High Street and station that have no parking protection… Local requests have been received to introduce parking controls into further roads to address complaints about non-residential parking,” said a spokesperson.

The proposals would see additional streets added to the existing WD zone.

The consultation closes on 18 August.

Visit wnstd.com/parking24

Councillor Jas Athwal has resigned as leader of Redbridge Council after a decade-long tenure, making him the longest-serving leader since the formation of Redbridge Council in 1965.

It follows his election as MP for Ilford South, where he won a 40.2% share of the vote.

“It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Redbridge as council leader, and I am immensely proud of our record,” said Councillor Athwal.

Former deputy leader Councillor Kam Rai was elected as his replacement at a council meeting last night.

“I feel so fortunate to represent the place I call home, where we have outstanding schools, safe neighbourhoods, and wonderful parks. Redbridge is a special place, with close-knit and welcoming communities, busy high streets, beautiful green spaces and lots to do – we really have everything we need right on our doorstep, with more on the way,” said Councillor Rai.

Contrary to popular belief, Wanstead Flats is not common land, says local historian Mark Gorman, who explains the justification behind roping off sections of the Flats to protect the breeding Skylarks. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

Earlier this spring, two areas of Wanstead Flats were once again enclosed to protect the sites for ground-nesting Skylarks. A rope enclosure replaced the earlier plastic fencing and signs explained the rationale. This seemingly inoffensive action was understood and accepted by nearly everyone as a practical way to encourage the safe breeding of one of London’s last remaining Skylark nesting sites.

Not accepted by all, however – the rope has been cut on several occasions. The reasoning behind this vandalism is not entirely clear, but seems to relate to a belief that Wanstead Flats, as part of Epping Forest, is common land and that the public therefore ‘own’ it. Furthermore, there is a belief that enclosing forest land must be sanctioned by Parliament through amending the 150-year-old Epping Forest Act. 

The roping off of small sections of Wanstead Flats is therefore seen as an outrageous limitation of people’s right to roam wherever they want, and the potential loss of a breeding Skylark colony is the price we must pay for access to the whole of the Flats (and presumably the rest of Epping Forest) at all times.

So, is the City of London Corporation overstepping their remit in roping off these areas, even to protect an endangered species? The answer is that they have every right to do so, and indeed have been taking measures like this ever since the 1878 parliamentary act gave them the remit to manage Epping Forest as ‘conservators’. 

The forest is not common land. After 1878, commoners (people living in forest parishes and owning a certain amount of land) had specific rights, notably that of cattle grazing, but there has never been a global ‘common’ right in Epping Forest. Queen Victoria famously dedicated Epping Forest “for the enjoyment of my people forever,” but she did not confer ownership. The forest is owned and managed by the City of London (through a charity called Epping Forest).

Over 150 years, the conservators have constantly balanced public access and their responsibility to protect “the natural aspect”. While the 1878 Act prohibits enclosures in the forest, it also permits the conservators to put up fences in certain circumstances, and areas of the forest also have closures to protect them (such as bridleways in winter). The 1878 Act also specifically prohibits the injuring or disturbance of animals and birds. But this isn’t just about the law and sanctions; it’s about enabling flora and wildlife to flourish alongside the increasing numbers of people enjoying the freedom of the forest. That’s why there are codes of conduct, such as the one requesting dog owners to respect seasonal site signage and keep dogs on a lead in certain areas, to protect rare species. 

And finally, the Skylarks have been on the Flats a lot longer than any of us. In 1892, a local resident wrote of his enjoyment of “a walk across the breezy Flats to watch the Skylark rise.” A temporary fence seems a small price to pay for this pleasure today.

Mark Gorman and fellow historian Peter Williams are the authors of Wanstead Flats: A Short Illustrated History. For more information, visit wnstd.com/flats

Kavita Rana from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash takes a look at the long-awaited lease extension reforms, the implementation of which will be on the new government’s to-do list

The long-awaited reforms to the extension of leases have been officially approved. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act became law on 24 May 2024. It is important to note the new law requires further implementation before it takes effect and will be in the hands of the new government. The act aims to enhance the benefits for leaseholders.

A key change under the reforms is the length of term for a standard lease extension, which will be significantly increased. The current length of term to extend a lease for a flat is 90 years. Under the reforms, this increases to 990 years for houses and flats. In the long run, this means fewer lease extensions – which attract the payment of hefty premiums – should be required.

The act also seeks to favour leaseholders in respect of any challenges to unreasonable service charges at the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). It is intended this procedure will be made less expensive and more focused and easier to navigate for homeowners. Currently, leaseholders bear the burden of legal costs in respect of any challenge to service charges, which inevitably makes it a difficult decision as to whether to bring an action where, more often than not, the legal costs outweigh the charges in dispute. However, the reforms remove the presumption that leaseholders will bear the costs of any service charge challenge. The reforms also aim to bring greater transparency in respect of the demand for service charges by introducing a standard form for invoices. 

The reforms will allow leaseholders to acquire their freehold in a more cost-effective manner and with greater ease. Currently, leaseholders need to pay the freeholder’s costs when seeking to acquire a share of the freehold. The reforms will abandon this.

The current law requires leaseholders to own a property for two years before qualifying for a lease extension. Under the reforms, this requirement will no longer be necessary. This means an extension can be obtained upon purchase of the property.  

The reforms also have a significant impact on commercial property owners where there is a mixed-use (residential and commercial) building. The current law only allows for the purchase of a freehold in a mixed-use building provided the commercial units occupy less than 25%. This figure now increases to 50%.

The above is not an exhaustive list of the reforms, and it is important to note that whilst the reforms have become law, the secondary legislation to implement the reforms may not be enforceable until 2025/2026. If in doubt, seek legal advice to achieve the best outcome for your circumstances in light of the reforms.

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

Get your walking shoes on for pleasure, community connections and health and wellbeing benefits, says Wanstead resident Liz Hickson, founder of Social Knitworks and now Social Walking

The pandemic may seem a long time ago now, and although it was such a terrible time for everyone in so many different ways, one of the good things that came out of it is that it got many people active again, either cycling or walking. I know I loved my evening walks and found them to be a really great way to process what was happening in the world around me. It was also a great time to put my phone on silent and ignore the buzzes, pings and beeps that we are ever-increasingly addicted to.

I’ve always been quite active but I think what the pandemic taught me is that walking is good for mental health – and I began to crave my walks, noticing how much better I felt after. And, over the course of 2020 and 2021, I learnt so much more, not only about my immediate surroundings but also Epping Forest more broadly.

Fast forward to 2023 and I became a leader for Capital Walkers. But having established Social Knitworks in 2019, I began to wonder whether I could also set up Social Walking, a group for people who don’t want to travel too far for the start of a walk, but who also want to walk five miles or more with people from their community. After a few posts on Facebook, Social Walking was tentatively born. Still in its infancy, so far we have done Saturday walks from Wanstead through the forest to Chingford, and also a walk through the forest from Loughton to Theydon Bois, as well as two Friday evening walks of four miles, both of which have ended at The Cuckfield (which is rapidly becoming the social focal point of Social Walking). We also teamed up with my rambling group on a Sunday in April to walk from Leytonstone, across Wanstead Flats and into Wanstead Park to see the bluebells, and after returning to Wanstead, yes, you guessed it, some of us headed to The Cuckfield for Sunday lunch!

For me, it’s great to see walkers making new community connections and discovering things about the area in which they live. I love showing people what I discovered on my pandemic walks, from how to get to Chingford off-road to the stories and history of Loughton Camp (it’s amazing the forest on our doorstep has so much history). 

Social Walking is open to everyone. The only ask is you must be able to walk at around two and a half miles per hour for five to seven miles, but we will always include a break.

In addition to the community aspects of Social Walking, there are also the associated health benefits, including improved mood, stress relief and increased energy (with a boosted blood flow to muscles and the brain). There is also evidence that brisk walking is linked to improved sleep quality and that walking in nature can improve self-esteem.

For more information on future Social Walking events and to take part, visit lizzieofizzie@gmail.com

Planned future walks include the 6-7 mile Oak Trail, a circular walk from Theydon Bois. This will take place on Sunday 14th July and will be timed to be back in Theydon Bois for 2.30pm to enjoy the annual Theydon Bois Donkey Derby which is huge amounts of fun. In addition, I’m planning to lead “Walk the Line” (a five mile art trail from the Olympic Park to Greenwich) as well as a walk from Epping via Copped Hall to Loughton. Although walkers undertake walks at their own risk, all walks are walked by me in advance so that I can understand any risk factors (mainly tree roots and having to cross a few roads). Walks are free to attend but if walkers would like to make a charitable donation – a donation of up to £5 per walk is appreciated which I donate to local charities.

Joshua Abbott has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish Modernism Beyond Metro-land, a book documenting 20th-century architecture in London’s suburbs. In the first of a series of extracts, the spotlight is on Wanstead Station. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

Like the Piccadilly Line, the Central Line was extended east and west in the 1930s as London Transport sought to monopolise travel in the suburbs.

The chief executive of the company, Frank Pick, had brought in architect Charles Holden in the mid-1920s to oversee an overhaul of the network’s stations. He wanted Holden to design new, dynamic-looking station buildings and to harmonise the various visual elements within – signage, lighting, posters – to create what we would call today a brand image. Holden’s Piccadilly Line stations, such as Arnos Grove, Southgate and Sudbury Town, were received rapturously in the architectural and national press, and visited by both architects and transport networks from overseas looking to create something similar.

By the late 1930s, Holden had stepped away from designing Tube stations, becoming enmeshed in designing new buildings for the University of London in Bloomsbury. He returned to design three tube stations: Wanstead, Redbridge and Gants Hill, which would prove to be his last work for the Underground.

The stations were designed as a part of the 1935–40 New Works Programme to extend and rebuild some of the network’s stations. Unfortunately, World War II intervened, causing Holden to alter his original designs to accommodate a lack of materials and funds. 

On paper, the stations were more daring than the finished products we see today. Holden’s office produced many different designs for Wanstead, finally going for a rectangular ticket hall with a ventilation tower. The ticket hall and tower were to have glass bricks to bring illumination to the interior, as well as a carving of St George and the Dragon by Joseph Armitage. The finished building doesn’t have the glass bricks or the carving but keeps the final plan. 

The completed building – which finally opened on 14 December 1947 – was constructed of prefabricated concrete panels finished in grey render with black tiles around the station entrance. Its austere finish looks forward to post-war brutalism, much like the unfinished concrete of earlier Holden stations like Arnos Grove and Cockfosters. Inside, the ticket hall is spacious and plain, with glass bricks letting in light onto the escalators. This station, as well as Redbridge and Gants Hill, were used as air raid shelters during World War Two, with the tunnels in between used by Plessey Electronics for manufacturing munitions.

For more information on Modernism Beyond Metro-Land and to support the crowdfunder, visit wnstd.com/mbml