At the end of this month, the Wanstead Society will cease to exist. It’s a sad farewell from Scott Wilding, who writes his final article as chair of the group that has sought to protect and preserve our local area since 1997
It is with deep sadness the Wanstead Society will finally close its doors on 1 February 2025. After almost three decades of seeking to protect and enhance the character of Wanstead, the executive committee took the decision to close in September 2024.
The Society has had a good run, but like so many local groups, we have struggled to find new committee members to help run events and undertake the work we aimed to do.
Along with other issues, we have found it increasingly difficult to be heard by our elected representatives. The Society was first formed in 1997 to save the Evergreen Field from development. Last year, the council gave planning permission to build a block of flats on the site. This has led us to question how useful we might continue to be. And with a committee that isn’t as young as it once was, we felt our time had come to close.
Over the last 27 years, we have had a real impact on the fabric of the area. We have planted over 40 trees right across Wanstead, including the ones which stretch from Snaresbrook Station to the junction of Hollybush Hill. These were installed in the late 1990s and are still going strong; it was one of our first projects. We have also planted bulbs on Christ Church Green, funded the Wanstead Community Gardeners, raised money for the refurbishment of the children’s playground on Christ Church Green, paid for bins and benches along the High Street, donated to local schools and community groups, commented on numerous planning applications, organised community clean-up days and helped pay for numerous community projects. The list could go on; we have always aimed to give something back.
None of our projects were ever possible without the help and support of Wanstead residents. As a volunteer organisation, we relied on our members giving their time for free. And it’s our members who, through their generous donations and selflessly giving up their free time, made our home just that little bit better.
All of us would like to thank those who served on the committee, past and present, and to all the members who were so generous. We are holding our final AGM on 1 February, where we will formally say goodbye. Any remaining funds we have will be distributed to local charities, so in a way, our work will go on.
Wanstead has changed a lot since 1997. Back then, an average pint cost £1.10, a litre of petrol was around 70p and I was still at Wanstead High School completing my A levels! But we all sincerely hope the best years for the community – our home – are ahead.
The final Wanstead Society AGM will take place at The Cuckfield on 1 February from 12 noon to 1pm. For more information, visit wansteadsociety.org.uk. (The website will be removed on 1 February.)
