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