December 2024

The Friends of St Gabriel’s raised £14,672 in December.

“We were delighted with the success of the Christmas appeal. So far, we have raised around £65,000 of the £150,000 needed to transform the church hall in Aldersbrook. Donations were boosted by a viral video by local filmmaker Tess Oldham, showing the importance of the hall to the community. Several grant applications are due soon and we’re hoping to start work making new, accessible storage in the summer,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/sgvid

Redbridge Council is taking part in an 18-month pilot project to reduce falls among elderly residents through assistive technology.

“We are working with suppliers to introduce fall detection and prevention technologies in care homes and residents’ homes,” said a spokesperson.

Of London’s 32 boroughs, Redbridge has the ninth-highest number of ambulance call-outs to care homes for fall-related incidents.

Benjamin Murphy, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, provides an update on the health of Wanstead Park’s historic Map Tree, and explains plans to plant a replacement. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

I wanted to provide an update on the health of the British Isles-shaped Cedar, known as the ‘Map Tree’, in Wanstead Park. The pronounced lean of this tree has been the subject of discussion and a cause of concern to park visitors. 

Firstly, the safety of Epping Forest’s visitors and staff is our number one priority. To achieve this, our arborists carry out tree inspections as part of a rolling programme to identify vulnerable trees and put measures in place to keep them safe. The rise of more extreme weather conditions, a result of climate change, is a significant challenge we face in our mission to protect them.

This issue was self-identified and the tree is deemed safe. However, there is damage to major structural roots caused by footfall near the base of the tree and the lean towards Ornamental Water continues to worsen. There remains a high degree of uncertainty around how long the tree may last, so our team are doing what they can to prolong its natural life whilst we create a succession plan. 

Our arborists explored a range of options with tree industry professionals, including:

• Propping, which would introduce rigid structures anchored in the ground that support tree branches or trunks from below.
• Introduction of static towers and steel cable braces to stop any further decline.
• Relocating the footpath from the base of the tree, reducing damage to buttress roots.

Unfortunately, these options cannot be implemented at this location or would not sustain the tree over the long term. Therefore, the recommended option is to plant a replacement tree nearby and establish knee-high fencing around the base in a horseshoe shape around the tree’s drip line. 

The tree is considered healthy and, as such, it is a self-optimising structure. It has the ability to identify stresses and adapt to them. In this case, the stress is the lean, which trees adapt to through additional structural roots and the production of reaction wood.

I recognise the connections people feel towards this iconic tree, which is of historical significance to Epping Forest. There remains some optimism the tree may surprise us and continue for decades to come, but it seems sensible we make plans now for its eventual replacement. This project is likely to cost around £4,000 for the new tree, fencing and its installation and we will work with the partners to raise funds for this ahead of planting next September.

For more information on Wanstead Park, visit wnstd.com/park

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands will host a New Year stroll in the park on 5 January, with an irreverent, local interpretation on the 12 days of Christmas.

“Join us for an easy post-Christmas morning stroll. We’ll take a tour of some historical highlights of the park, highlighting 12 key moments in its history. This will be a Wanstead Park epiphany walk!” said Adrian Russell.

The walk will depart from the park’s Warren Road entrance at 10.30am, finishing at the tea hut by 12 noon.

Email info@wansteadpark.org.uk

A new book details how unemployed labourers transformed Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park in the late 19th century.

“When the City of London took over Epping Forest in 1878, the southern area was in quite a mess… There was also an economic depression and local worthies formed committees to support unemployed labouring men and women. These Relief Committees organised public works projects and had a big impact on the area,” explained authors Peter Williams, Mark Gorman and Andrew Cole.

Among the work carried out was the creation of Alexandra Lake on the Flats and the enlargement of Heronry Pond in Wanstead Park by hundreds of labourers working only with hand tools. “The labourers were paid but there were major issues about conditions.”

The 50-page book is priced £6 and available from the Friends of Wanstead Parklands.

The book is available from:

• Email markrgorman2@aol.com
• Emporium No 8, Sebert Rd, E7.
• Newham Bookshop, Barking Rd, E13
• Stone Mini Market, Leytonstone High Rd, E11
• Friends of Wanstead Parklands will have a stock at their regular litter picks in Wanstead Park (2nd Sunday of the month normally)

The River Roding Trust’s Wanstead and Woodford local group met for the first time at the end of November.

“This volunteer group will generally be working from Snakes Lane down to Wanstead Park. These local river guardians will be helping to protect and restore the river, covering everything from tree planting, monitoring outfalls, creating pocket parks, making paths and removing rubbish. Get in touch if you would like to join us,” said Paul Powlesland, founder of the River Roding Trust.

Email river.roding@gmail.com

Residents have until 5 January to apply to adopt a tree pit on their street, alongside year-round applications to remove an entire road from the chemical weed control spraying schedule.

“A tree pit is the soil area at the base of trees, perfect for planting with wildflowers. Last year, residents adopted over 650 tree pits across the borough, boosting biodiversity. If you have previously adopted a tree pit, you will have to re-apply as adoptions only last for 12 months,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/treepits

The annual Frank Charles Give A Gift Appeal has once again brought festive cheer to children spending Christmas on Acorn Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital.

This year’s appeal marked the 21st anniversary of Wanstead resident Frank Charles BEM delivering presents to young patients who are too unwell to go home for the holidays.

“Thanks to the generosity of the local community, a wonderful collection of new toys, books, and games were donated. I am truly overwhelmed by the kindness of our community. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, and to Wanstead Pharmacy for being our collection point. Together, we’ve made a real difference,” said Frank.

Gifts were delivered to the hospital on 20 December.

Nominations for the Mayor of Redbridge’s annual community awards are open until 6 January.

“Do you know an unsung hero within your street or local community? Or a group or organisation that has made a positive contribution to the lives of local residents?” asked a council spokesperson. The judging panel is comprised of councillors, council officers and local residents.

Visit wnstd.com/mca25

Benjamin Murphy, Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, has published an update on work taking place in Wanstead Park. In the second of a series of extracts, the focus is on the Grotto

For those who may not be aware, Wanstead Park is a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden (RPG) and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register (HARR) since 2009.

In 1954, the Temple and the nearby Grotto were designated as Grade II listed buildings, while in 1970 the Wanstead Park area was designated as a Conservation Area. The Wanstead Park Conservation Area was added to the HARR in 2010, while the Grotto was separately added in 2017. In its prime, Wanstead House was known to rival the Palace of Versailles in its grandeur – it was the pride of the East End of London.

The Grotto dates back to 1761. It was built over two levels with a boathouse that opened directly onto the Ornamental Water, and a room for entertainment above with a service area to the side. The Grotto survived the wreck of the Wanstead House estate and became a popular attraction when the park was opened to the public in 1882, with an admission price of sixpence. Sadly, most of the Grotto was destroyed in a fire in 1884, and while it has had patchy repairs over the intervening years, it has been badly declining. A restoration project is underway. 

So, what specific actions have we taken? We have completed structural investigations and trial pits to understand the foundations, ground conditions and construction materials around the Grotto and landing stage. There has also been archaeological and geological cataloguing of any loose material, including retrieval of loose stones from the Ornamental Water. A restoration and maintenance plan is currently underway, focusing on essential repairs with recommendations for the conservation and structural stabilisation of the Grotto, with the aim these measures will remove it from the HARR.

But more actions still need to take place. The structural investigations and trial pits identified there was a variation in the construction materials of the landing stage; therefore, an updated construction specification and listed building consent for the landing stage had to be sought. This was submitted at the end of September, with consent hopefully due to be granted before the end of the year. Furthermore, the City of London Corporation has identified funding for the essential and recommended repairs, including a contribution of £14,000 from the Heritage of London Trust.

The restoration and maintenance plan will include recommendations for desirable repairs and restoration works to the Grotto and will include recommendations on public access and visitor information for this construction stage. A further study will be required to look at options for the long-term interpretation and visitor access to the Grotto, along with opportunities to find the additional funding for this.

To read Benjamin’s article in full, visit wnstd.com/parkupdate

Despite being an event for the over-65s, Wanstead’s annual Cakes and Carols brings together residents of all ages, spreading warmth and joy in the community, say organiser Suzi Harnett and volunteer Jude Kent

Living in Wanstead really shows you what being part of a genuine community looks and feels like. From the strength and spirit of all our local, thriving sports clubs, to the street parties, the hugely loved farmers’ market and the juggernaut the Wanstead Fringe and Festival have become, there is constant delight in all this locale puts together.

One of our favourite events of the year is the annual Cakes and Carols celebration. Customarily held on the last Saturday before Christmas, it encompasses everything that is wonderful about this time of year, the spirit of the season, and most of all, the spirit of our community. Its premise is to honour and indulge the older residents living in and around our area, especially reaching out to those who can find themselves alone.

We ask for donations of homemade cakes, biscuits and festive treats, as well as shop-bought for the hard of baking! These sit alongside support from our sponsors, who provide the all-important teas and coffees.

What is showcased here is the willingness of our community to step up and volunteer their services, and it’s that service which is at the heart of what we do here. Our guests are individually welcomed and seated at one of the group tables, where our volunteers then wait on them with hot drinks and selections from all the delicacies on offer. The buzz of conversation and laughter starts to develop, and warmth and positivity fills the hall.

One of the great things to note about our volunteers is that many of them are children and teenagers, either on their own or as part of a whole family helping out together. Last year, a group of youngsters decided to make festive cards for all the guests to take home with them, alongside a generous goody bag.

So, that’s the ‘cakes’, but what about the ‘carols’? These have come in many different guises over the years. We always invite choirs from local primary schools to participate, who are an absolute joy to have with us; we’ve also been blessed by an operatic take on festive songs. This year, we’re looking forward to those beautiful operatic versions again, along with local community choir Ultra Sound. Youngsters are represented by a group from Redbridge Drama Centre and the Elton John of clergymen, The Rocking Rev James, will be on the piano, giving us all a chance to sing along to some classic Christmas favourites.

Whilst all our guests leave with that goody bag, collated by us and financed by our generous sponsors, we mainly wish that one and all will leave with a festive feeling of warmth, a slight sugar rush and joy at being part of one of the greatest suburban communities around.

Cakes and Carols will take place at Wanstead United Reformed Church on 21 December from 1pm to 4pm. For more information, call 07917 670 664

Acting Inspector Reshma Sher shares how local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are addressing Wanstead’s crime issues and encourages residents to help make a difference

Hello everyone. My name is Reshma Sher and I am currently the Acting Inspector for the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNT). I cover North Redbridge. I am based at Barkingside Police Station, where I oversee neighbourhood policing for Wanstead Village, Wanstead Park and nine other surrounding wards. Prior to this, I was a sergeant on SNT covering the same area, so I have a good understanding of neighbourhood policing and this is something that is so important to me.

I have been a resident in Redbridge for my whole life and I have seen and experienced issues as a resident of Redbridge as well as a police officer. I joined the Met in 2014 and I have served on a variety of teams within the East Area Command Unit.

The community is important to me and my teams. We want everyone to feel safe where they live, work, go to school, college or when they are out and socialise with friends and family. Your neighbourhood teams complete reassurance patrols, community engagement events, weapon sweeps, execute warrants, tackle antisocial behaviour and take positive action in relation to any criminal incidents.

We aim to prioritise the community’s needs in all we do. I am aware concerns have been raised about motor vehicle crime and robberies taking place in Wanstead. We are carrying out plain-clothes, proactive patrols as well as providing a uniformed presence during the various times of day the crimes are being committed. The local policing team is working in partnership with other neighbourhood teams, as well as British Transport Police, Safer Transport Teams and the local authority to tackle the incidents as best as we can. 

The local team will be arranging crime prevention stalls to provide advice on stopping the theft of motor vehicles, such as using steering wheel locks combined with signal-blocking pouches. They will give advice on keeping your mobile phones safe and some tips, such as making a note of the IMEI number. They will be publishing dates soon on social media and the Redbridge WhatsApp channel. The local teams will also be putting their contact details in your local shops.

We also hold quarterly ward panel meetings. If you are a resident or work in the area, why not come along? You can really make a difference and have a say in what you feel should be the ward priorities to help us with our community crime fighting. Please contact your local SNT if you would like to be a part of this.

To contact Wanstead Village SNT, email SNTJI-Wanstead-park@met.police.uk
or call 07766 247 245

To contact Wanstead Park SNT, email SNTJI-Wanstead-village@met.police.uk
or call 07769 498 676 

To join the Redbridge Whatsapp channel, visit wnstd.com/rwa

Jo Cullen from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash takes a look at the steps you should take if your sensitive personal data is compromised by your employer

Has your employer disclosed personal data without your consent or as a result of a systems hack? There are breaking news stories around personal data breaches that will inevitably cause significant concern to those affected. Personal data is any information that can identify you directly (or in combination with other information) such as your name, address or telephone number.

Sensitive personal data might also include details an employer holds on you about your health, trade union membership, as well as your political or religious beliefs. A loss of personal data can result in information being used by criminals in identity theft crimes or those affected might suffer financial losses or health issues as a result of the breach.

What should an employee do if they discover their personal data has been released or their employer’s systems have been hacked?

If you discover a breach, you should inform your employer immediately about the incident and ask for full details of what has been released or taken, and how and why this has happened without your consent. If your employer becomes aware of a breach of your personal data before you, they should notify you without delay and they should make you aware of the steps they are taking to remedy the breach.

You should keep a record of all correspondence with your employer regarding the data breach and keep a chronology of events. You may need this at a later date if you need to escalate matters by making a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or to make a claim for damages against your employer.

It will be important to understand what data has been released as you may need to monitor your bank accounts, credit reports and any other sensitive information for unauthorised or unusual activity. If you notice any suspicious transactions or activities on your bank accounts you should report these to your bank urgently.

Your employer should have a data protection policy and privacy notice which sets out details of what information they hold on you and how this data is processed. You should familiarise yourself with these documents as this will help you understand your rights and the obligations your employer has in protecting your personal data. 

If you believe your employer’s negligence has caused harm, or they have failed to take appropriate steps to deal with a breach, you should take legal advice on your position and the options available to you.

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

Wanstead will welcome Santa early this month as he embarks on a pre-Christmas tour of local streets on 19 December from 4pm.

“You can’t beat how much children enjoy seeing Santa. It’s a fun community event that injects extra magic into Christmas. Please have some change ready for the elves’ collection buckets in aid of local schools,” said Amy Moore. In what is now an annual Wanstead tradition, Santa will pass through the streets aboard Elf Steve Hayden’s Parker Dairies milk float.

To view the route, visit wnstd.com/santatour

Redbridge Council has launched a public consultation on its first sustainable transport strategy.

“By 2041, travel in Redbridge will be safer, healthier, greener and more inclusive… Our ambition is to create seamless and safe connections between the bus, underground and rail networks, and an extensive network of zero-emission vehicle charging points that support the borough’s carbon neutral ambition. We really value your input and feedback,” said a spokesperson.

The survey is open until 5 January.

Visit wnstd.com/sts

With otters recently spotted on a local stretch of the River Roding, Paul Powlesland – who founded the River Roding Trust five years ago – is looking for Wanstead residents to become guardians of the river 

When I moved to the River Roding in Barking on my boat in 2017, I perhaps naively assumed there were professionals and government officials looking after the river. After all, the Roding – flowing over 40 miles from its source in Molehill Green in Essex to its confluence with the Thames in Barking – is London’s third-largest river and crucial to the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people in its catchment, as well as the nature that relies on it.

Having lived on and grown to know the river over the past seven years, I came to understand the awful truth that no one was truly acting and speaking in the river’s interests and preventing damage and destruction to the river; as a result, the lower river in particular was in serious trouble. 

I therefore set up the Friends of the River Roding group on Facebook to start gathering other volunteers. This project became the River Roding Trust in 2019 and since then our volunteers have undertaken a growing range of activities to care for the river: water quality testing, continuing litter picks (removing up to 400 bags in a single weekend!), planting trees, opening riverside paths, removing invasive species, ensuring riverside developments benefit the river, restoring the Roding’s lost riverside meadows and marshes wherever possible, and many more.

Our approach as a charity has been very much a grassroots one and we continue to be run solely by volunteers. We are also very locally run, with volunteers getting to know a particular part of the river and then seeking to protect and restore it in whatever ways we can. Although we have sought to protect all of the river, much of our effort so far has been in Barking and in Ilford, where many of our volunteers live. We are now looking to set up volunteer groups further along the river, including in Wanstead and Woodford, and give them the equipment, training, knowledge, advice and social media and organisational connections they need to act as guardians on their part of the river.

The Roding is an incredible river, which along with its valley and catchment could be one of the wildest, most beautiful and ecology-rich urban rivers in the country. But its fate very much hangs in the balance, with bad news about continued ecological and water quality degradation contrasting with positive news like the recent discovery of otters living in the river in Redbridge.

Each one of us who lives in the catchment can make a big difference for our river, so if you love and care for the Roding and would like to get involved in any capacity as a guardian of the river, please do get in touch.

For more information and to get involved, email river.roding@gmail.com or visit wnstd.com/rodingfriends

A festive appeal has been launched for the residents of the Courtney Hotel, an emergency housing hostel for homeless people located in Aldersbrook.

“I am collecting food and gift donations to bring some holiday cheer to those less fortunate. At the time of writing, there are 19 women, 26 men, 14 girls and 16 boys living at the Courtney. This number changes weekly but gives an indication of how many we are trying to help. If you would like to contribute, please let me know,” said Glynis Ford.

Visit wnstd.com/courtney 

In the 10th of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish considers the importance of singing during the festive season and invites one and all to join a High Street community carolling session

What’s your favourite Christmas song or carol? Let’s face it, there are more than a few to choose from, and each year radio stations such as Classic FM run a poll to see which is the nation’s favourite. Last year, it was O Holy Night, one that has grown on me recently.

With the demise of – well – lots of things really (and yes, I know that makes me sound old and curmudgeonly), lots of people are perhaps a little less familiar with traditional carols these days. Asked to name a classic Christmas song, many might suggest Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is You. JS Bach is no doubt slowly turning in his grave at the thought.

Of course, there are lots of lovely modern Christmas songs that we all enjoy, but there is something extremely evocative about traditional Christmas carols being sung, or even perhaps played, by a Salvation Army band. I was talking to one of the local bandmasters recently, and he told me every year, his band plays for 12 hours straight on a day running up to Christmas at Liverpool Street Station, raising £10,000 for the vital work the Salvation Army does with the homeless. He said last year, one commuter, who was about to get on her homeward-bound train, stopped to listen for so long she missed nine trains to her destination.

In comparison with our Scottish and Welsh cousins, we English tend to have a very poor folk memory of the traditional songs that make up our history. This seems a great shame to me, for soon they will be gone forever. And many of our Christmas carols are in fact set to tunes that are more ancient than the words. Those who wrote the words often fitted them to folk tunes people would already know. Others are themselves ancient, Good King Wenceslas, for example, dates from before 1582. Carols even survived the Puritans, who tried their best to take the fun out of everything after beheading Charles I. But it was the Victorians – and particularly one Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) – who really went to town on Christmas carolling, and this is the time from which many of the carols we know and love stem.

Singing is an important part of Christmas for many. The great thing about carolling is that you don’t even have to be very good at singing. The earliest carols would have probably been sung in hostelries, not in churches, and by local people rather than cathedral choirs. Singing is good for the soul, so why not try some this Christmas? You will be very welcome at any of the parish services or at our community carols on the High Street.

Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Christmas, whatever hymn sheet you happen to sing from!

A community carolling session will take place at the war memorial on Wanstead High Street on 11 December from 7pm. To contact Reverend James Gilder, email wansteadparishadmin@uwclub.net

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

“This will be my 21st anniversary of delivering Christmas presents to children on Acorn Ward 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 suitable for newborns and for ages up to 16 years,” said Frank.

Unwrapped donations for the Frank Charles Give A Gift Appeal can be left at Wanstead Pharmacy (75–77 High Street) until noon on 14 December.

Councillor Emma Shepherd-Mallinson (Labour) was elected to represent Wanstead Park ward in last month’s by-election. Transport, crime and school admissions are among the issues she is keen to address

Thank you for electing me as one of your councillors for Wanstead Park ward. I am delighted to have the widespread support of my neighbours and to join Councillor Sheila Bain in being a strong voice for our community. It is one of the proudest moments of my life. 

There is a lot to do and I am excited about what we can achieve with a Labour council. I will be ready to listen and help where I can. You might need advice, your views shared with decision-makers, or action to make things happen. That’s my role.

During the campaign, I spoke to residents on their doorsteps about what is important to them. It’s clear we need better from TfL about plans to change bus routes. Crime and antisocial behaviour are a big concern for many, too, and I will be working with our local police Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Many know I am an active Labour Party member and have worked closely with our new MP, Calvin Bailey. However, it was my experience as a parent and local resident that encouraged me to run for council. I want to do something for my community. 

I am passionate about school admissions and provision. In recent years, I have supported local families to navigate the admissions process. I am now working with our new council leader, Councillor Kam Rai, and the cabinet lead for Children’s Services, Councillor Lloyd Duddridge, to make sure everyone has the knowledge they need. This is something that will remain a focus for me as a councillor. 

We live in a beautiful part of London, surrounded by large, open green spaces. Wanstead Park is a hidden gem which we need to protect. However, the lakes and pathways are in a poor state. I am working with the cabinet lead, Councillor Jo Blackman, to put pressure on Thames Water and the City of London Corporation (which owns and maintains the park) to make the necessary improvements.

I know there is a big in tray to get through. The morning after the election I was looking into issues with parking on the school run in Aldersbrook. My children attend this school and I am very familiar with the views of local residents, the school and busy families navigating drop-off times.

As a newly elected councillor, I am in the process of setting up regular surgeries, so you can speak to me face-to-face. In the meantime, you can contact me via email. I would love to hear from residents and community organisations so we can start working together. 

Thank you again. I am looking forward to meeting you and getting things done.

To contact Councillor Emma Shepherd-Mallinson, or other local councillors, see page 84 or visit wnstd.com/councillors

Where to see Santa on his pre-Christmas tour of Wanstead.

The company behind the redevelopment of Snaresbrook Station car park – which closed in March – has issued an update.

“The car park closed to allow for the construction of much-needed affordable homes. We are currently undertaking enabling works to prepare for construction… We expect the development to be completed by the end of 2026. When the car park reopens, 22 spaces will be available, including four Blue Badge parking spaces,” said a spokesperson for Pocket Living, which is building two blocks of flats on the site.

Enjoy Art Group Wanstead’s current selling display in Wanstead Library’s lobby. It may even inspire you to add art materials to your gift wishlist this year, says group founder Donna Mizzi

Whether your favourite Christmas images include flying reindeer, chirpy robins, turkeys, partridges in pear trees or angels and Christmas tree fairies, they all have a feature in common. And so, Winged Wonders is the theme chosen by Art Group Wanstead members for its Christmas display at Wanstead Library, which runs until Saturday 21 December.

Artists enjoy having a theme to follow – and then creatively breaking the constraints. So, prepare for some left-field ideas. For example, a Robin in Wanstead may well be accompanied by Batman; Star Trek fans can enjoy some enterprising delights (did you know the Klingon’s battleship is called a Bird of Prey?), while keen birdwatchers can marvel at the natural beauty of our feathered friends.

Artwork and cards will be available to purchase, with contact details available. At the appropriately named Christmas ‘Flamingo Fair’ on Saturday 7 December, the showcase in the library’s lobby will be open for sales from 11am to 4pm. 

The Stow Brothers estate agent supports shows by our local artists and is also showing a range of work by Art Group Wanstead member Nataly Kenny until 8 January. Just pop into the estate agent’s office at 117A Wanstead High Street to enjoy this artist’s work.

Art Group Wanstead is open to keen local amateurs, through to professionals. Our members include adults with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and nationalities, all with a connection to the area. In these difficult economic times, the group helps lift people’s spirits and confidence. And we avoid charging membership fees by asking everyone to get involved in helping the group in some way.

For more information on the work of Art Group Wanstead, visit wnstd.com/art

For nearly 100 years, St Gabriel’s Church parish hall has united the Aldersbrook community. Now, the community’s help is needed to ensure it can be restored for future generations. Georgina Brewis and Jane Skelding report

St Gabriel’s parish hall opened in 1927, and the original £4,000 building cost was raised by fundraising within the local community. The campaign was kicked off by an article in the West Ham and South Essex Mail in December 1925, which reported that “the present church room” was now “inadequate for the growing needs of the church and its parochial institutions.” The Sunday School and other community groups, including a branch of the Church Lads’ Brigade, had been using a temporary tin hall for meetings and events. This was put up in 1903 alongside the original tin church, which was replaced by the brick-built St Gabriel’s in 1913.

In May 1927, two foundation stones were laid with great ceremony, witnessed by a large crowd that is a testament to the hall’s importance to the local community. One stone was inscribed ‘on behalf of the Sunday School’ and laid by the Venerable Archdeacon PM Bayne, and the other by Viscountess Byng of Vimy. The hall was already complete by October that year. An advertising leaflet boasted of the hall’s “polished maple floor for dancing” and “large stage with dressing rooms on either side.” The original hire price was up to three guineas for an “ordinary evening” of dances and whist drives. The proximity to Wanstead Flats was a key selling point and groups were encouraged to hire the hall for refreshments after “tennis or other games.”

Then, as now, the hall was in constant use by the church and local community, often for fundraising activities. For example, in the parish archive, there is a flyer from 1948 advertising a sale to raise money for the Bishop’s Fund for Post-War Needs. Activities included handicrafts, a book stall and, of course, plenty of tea and cake.

One hundred years on, the hall is in desperate need of internal upgrades. The Friends of St Gabriel’s has been raising funds to make sure it is fit for the community now and for another hundred years. The theme for this regeneration project is sustainability, meaning reuse, upcycling and energy conservation lie at the heart of all the work undertaken. Today, the hall is still filled seven days a week by a pre-school, uniformed group meetings, dance classes, sports and games nights for adolescents with autism. 

Last year, St Gabriel’s ran its first Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign with donations match-funded. Father Martyn Hawkes said: “Last year’s Big Give was so successful we raised enough to complete the installation of a new hall kitchen. This year, we are having another go to raise the funds needed to reconfigure the back of the hall and add accessible and enhanced storage, which will benefit each and every user.”

To help us restore the hall for future generations, please consider donating to this year’s Big Give between 3 and 10 December.

For more information and to donate, visit wnstd.com/biggive