April 2025

Art Group Wanstead member Heidi Stutt enjoys exploring the beauty of insects and the changing seasons through watercolour paintings

I began my journey as an artist in 2020, a time of uncertainty that led me to explore creativity as a means of expression and connection. Since then, my work has evolved into a deeply personal exploration of nature, nostalgia and emotion, often blending soft, dreamlike elements with darker, grungier undertones.

Watercolour has become my primary medium, allowing me to work with fluidity and unpredictability – qualities that reflect the themes I explore in my art. I enjoy the balance between control and spontaneity, often letting the paint guide me rather than imposing a rigid structure. Textural elements and layered washes help me create depth, while delicate details bring my pieces to life.

Wanstead’s landscapes and green spaces are a constant source of inspiration. I often paint Wanstead Park, its woodlands and the surrounding ponds, observing how the seasons transform familiar scenes. The soft haze of summer, the golden hues of autumn and the first greens of spring all find their way into my work.

My recent collection focuses on the intricate beauty of insects – particularly butterflies, wasps and bees. These creatures, so small yet vital to our ecosystems, hold a quiet significance in the landscapes I paint. I wanted to highlight their presence, capturing their fragility and resilience in equal measure.

For me, painting is about connection – both to nature and to those who view my work. I hope my art encourages people to pause, look closer and appreciate the small, ever-changing wonders around them. As I continue exploring Wanstead’s landscapes through watercolour, I look forward to sharing more of my interpretations of this beautiful, ever-changing environment.

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

To view more of Heidi’s artwork on Instagram, visit wnstd.com/stutt

To join the Save Our Local Bus Services campaign WhatsApp group, visit wnstd.com/buswa

To view the petition, visit wnstd.com/bus

Haydn Powell from the Redbridge Cycling Campaign encourages you to get on your bike and head down to Wanstead Park next month to take part in Redbridge’s festival of cycling. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

On Sunday 11 May, Redbridge Cycling Campaign and other local cycle groups, including Cycle Sisters and Joy Riders, are organising a festival of cycling, suitable for all ages, abilities and styles of bike. This is part of the London Cycling Campaign Sunday Streets programme.

If you travel to many parts of London by any means of transport, you have probably noticed the number of cyclists moving swiftly between places, keeping healthy, fit and smiling. On seeing these happy cyclists, how many of you have said, ‘one day I am going to get my old bike out and start cycling again’? Over the last few years, several Redbridge cycling groups have encouraged people to do just that, getting them back into the saddle by offering:

• Free, one-to-one buddying to get you started.
• Gentle, sociable, marshalled group rides to help you gain confidence.
• Women-only rides.
• Advice on bike maintenance and purchase.

Next month’s Ride Redbridge will be a chance to get out the bike, pump up the tyres, oil the chain and go for a ride with other local cyclists. Bring along your family and friends. It doesn’t matter where in Redbridge you live, one of the nine starting points of the five marshalled rides will be near you (including Wanstead Park). The rides are designed for every cyclist in Redbridge. All rides will then converge at Fairlop Waters for a picnic.

Redbridge Cycling Campaign and Redbridge Council are encouraging us all to think about travelling sustainably. Most of us want to use sustainable forms of transport, but many of us are put off walking and cycling near busy, car-filled roads. Once we find quiet routes to use, walking and cycling become realistic options for shorter journeys.

We work with Redbridge Council to improve the cycling infrastructure in Redbridge and enable people to enjoy cycling safely. The social and environmental improvements that change can bring are clear to see in the low-traffic neighbourhoods and cycling infrastructure of Newham, Hackney, Walthamstow and central London.

Ride Redbridge will be a great way to explore leisure routes in all parts of the borough. All five routes will use parks, cycle paths and side roads as much as possible. We’re prioritising your safety by avoiding main roads and marshals will be present to help guide you across any challenging junctions.

The details of all the Ride Redbridge rides – along with future events – can be found on our website. Simply choose the ride and starting point which is most convenient for you. Bring your picnic and come and join us to feel the joy and freedom of cycling.

For more information on Redbridge Cycling Campaign and upcoming rides, visit wnstd.com/rcc

Step into spring with a visit to a local open garden. With so many wonderful National Garden Scheme gardens to explore, there’s something for everyone, says local volunteer organiser Teresa Farnham

With spring here, please think about visiting National Garden Scheme (NGS) gardens to get fresh ideas for planting or design; contribute funds to cancer charities; enjoy meeting new people; eat delicious cakes or buy new garden plants.

In 2024, the National Garden Scheme raised over £3.5m for cancer charities such as Marie Curie, MacMillan Cancer Support and Hospice UK. All from willing volunteers who open their gardens to the general public.

The nine gardens that were open locally last year raised over £5,000. Not bad going for opening on one day each! This year, locally, there are 18 gardens taking part. They are all very different and range from the tiny (Wanstead gardens) to an extensively planted two-thirds of an acre (College Gardens in Chingford, with plants and birdhouses for sale; my nesting robins were very grateful last year!) Another opening in Aldersbrook features a ceramicist who uses the plants in her garden to produce beautiful ceramic items.

As an NGS volunteer area organiser for 30 years, I am always amazed by the variety of the gardens I am privileged to help open. It is a treat to visit the gardens and see how much the visitors, as well as owners and helpers, enjoy the day.

Some garden owners have opened for many years, and after a break, Latimer Road in Forest Gate will once again open this year to stun visitors with its exuberance and diversity of plants. Harold Road in Leytonstone are looking forward to their 10th year and have made delicious jams, chutneys and cakes for sale as well as looking after a collection of 30 daphnes. Garden visitors are often amazed when they go through ordinary-looking town houses to view exuberantly planted gardens.

Both Tweedmouth Road in Plaistow (tiny and tropical) and Higham Street in Walthamstow (large and wildlife-friendly) gardens have been featured on BBC TV. New gardens open locally this year include a set of three gardens in Wanstead on Greenstone Mews and Voluntary Place, plus Rokeby Gardens in Woodford Green and Betoyne Avenue in Chingford. I hope they will add to the list of London open gardens for years to come.

So, please visit at least one of the local NGS gardens this year, or if you’re planning a holiday in the UK, why not look up a garden near your destination? Wanstead Library has free copies of the NGS booklet to take away or browse all the gardens online. And perhaps you will consider opening your own garden next year. If you do, I am happy to visit.

The gardens of 17 Greenstone Mews and 28 and 32 Voluntary Place in Wanstead will be open on 27 April from 2pm to 5pm (tickets: £5). Visit wnstd.com/ngs25

To contact Teresa for more information, email teresa.farnham@yahoo.co.uk

David Sleet is the non-clinical director of Wanstead Mental Health Clinic and is proud to have launched The Veterans’ RVP, a new level of support for veterans and their person of significance

RVP is the military acronym for Rendezvous Point. Our programme, The Veterans’ RVP, will be the meeting point that has been missing for so many veterans and their family members, offering a monthly drop-in and chat service. I am extremely proud to be able to offer veterans and their person of significance (spouse, partner, sibling, parent or even friend) a truly unique layer of support that makes a real difference. The Veterans’ RVP is veteran- and service family-led.

Unlike The Veterans’ RVP, current support provision is often dependent on the length of service and is predominantly vocationally focused. Any such transitional support is for personnel only, with family support often isolated. Because of these inadequacies, a disproportionately higher percentage of ex-military end up in custody, find themselves homeless, dependent on drugs and alcohol or take their own lives.

The only way to improve these outcomes is with psychological awareness and effective support. The Veterans’ RVP aims to elevate wellbeing awareness, resilience and empowerment and provide effective cohesion and veteran-led therapies. We need to increase positive communication to create positive transitions from service life to civilian life.

By providing a dedicated drop-in and chat service for veterans, a separate service for the person of significance and a shared lunch that brings people together, we are able to give a higher level of support. And with qualified counselling professionals who are also trained and certified for their specialist knowledge of the veteran environment, those who served can be confident their experiences of military service are in safe hands.

“Wanstead Mental Health Clinic has an aim to serve as many in the community as we can and each team member connected to our support for veterans has either served in the military themselves or is the family of those who have served. The veins of military life run through us all,” said clinical director Siobhain Crosbie, the daughter of a Staff Sergent in the Royal Artillery. My own father also served in the Royal Artillery for 22 years and our service director, Donna Murray, is a veteran of the Queen Alexandra’s Army Nursing Corps, who saw active service in conflict zones and knows the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.

We are aware of the lack of support for veterans in particular. Veterans have served us and provided us with protection, and we believe in supporting them when it’s time for them to adjust to civilian life again. We are proud and honoured to serve those whose lives have been devoted to serving all others.

Wanstead Mental Health Clinic is located at 11–13 Cambridge Park, Wanstead. For more information, call 020 3488 5899 or visit wnstd.com/mhc

On the move? Read this first, says Daveena Seepaul from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash, who offers an overview of the conveyancing process for buyers and sellers

Conveyancing is the legal transfer of home ownership from the seller to the buyer. The conveyancing process begins when an offer on a house is accepted and finishes when the keys are released.

The buying and selling of a home is probably the most significant personal transaction people undertake in their lives. Your property solicitor will carry out the legal work to help your transaction run smoothly. Their responsibilities will include checking the house title and organising searches for the property on a purchase, and on a sale, they will obtain your title documents and ask you to complete detailed questionnaires.

On a sale, your title number will enable your solicitor to obtain title documents. You will also need to provide certain documents such as leases, share certificates for management companies, NHBC (National House Building Council) and other guarantees and planning and building regulation documents the buyer will require.

Your property will either be registered at the Land Registry or it will be unregistered. The majority of properties are registered, so the legal title is held by the Land Registry. If your property is unregistered, you will need the unregistered title deeds to prove ownership.

Your property solicitors will ask you to complete forms to form part of the contract package. This will consist of property information forms that provide the buyer with detailed information about the property. Plus, a fixtures and fittings form that outlines exactly what you will be leaving in the property.

When buying a property, you will need to instruct your solicitor and your proposed mortgage lender at the earliest opportunity. Your application for a mortgage should be made as soon as possible. You should pay any valuation fee your lender may ask for and consider the type of survey you want carried out. Your solicitor will apply for your searches and you will need to pay for these.

Your solicitor will ask you to provide evidence of your source of funds. It is a legal requirement that the buyer provides adequate proof of the source of their funds to their solicitor. It could be a gifted deposit from your parents or money held in a savings account.

Many people want to move out of their existing property and into their new property on the same day. Your property solicitor will help to synchronise your sale and purchase, keep all parties informed of how the other matter is progressing and negotiate appropriate dates with them.

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

As a clinical reflexologist, John Morecraft has witnessed first-hand how this holistic therapy can profoundly impact individuals seeking balance and wellbeing

I moved to Wanstead from Greenwich, motivated by love and the desire to create a family-friendly environment. Five years later, with a young son, I have developed a deep appreciation for the area. Wanstead’s abundance of green spaces and its tight-knit community reminds me of my childhood, making it the perfect place to raise a family. The local support and connections with business owners have further cemented this feeling.

My journey into reflexology began after spending over 30 years in the media industry. Long hours and high-pressure environments took a toll on my health. Seeking a solution, I discovered reflexology, and from my very first experience, I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue. Becoming a practitioner has allowed me to help others achieve their health goals, just as I had improved my own wellbeing through this practice.

Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet or hands that correspond to various organs and systems within the body. This technique promotes relaxation, relieves stress and supports the body’s natural healing processes by signalling the nervous system and triggering the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins.

Whilst relaxation is often the primary benefit associated with reflexology, its advantages are manifold. One of the most notable benefits is improved circulation. Enhanced blood flow ensures the efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells, which is vital for overall health. Reflexology has also proven effective in pain management, offering relief from conditions like migraines and lower back pain. Regular sessions can reduce the frequency and intensity of these issues.

Reflexology has gained widespread recognition in various healthcare environments and is in demand among patients receiving hospice care. It remains the subject of numerous studies, particularly in the management of cancer and chronic health conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

An often-overlooked benefit of reflexology is its positive impact on digestion. Stimulating points related to the stomach and intestines can alleviate digestive discomfort, such as bloating and constipation. Many clients also report heightened mental clarity and increased energy levels after treatments. By promoting balance within the body, reflexology can lead to better focus and a greater sense of vitality.

The most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing the physical and emotional improvements in my clients, guiding them toward optimal wellbeing or, as we call it in reflexology, ‘homeostasis.’

For more information and to contact John, call 07921 508 369 or visit wnstd.com/elr

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands will welcome Paul Powlesland, chair of the River Roding Trust, as guest speaker for the group’s AGM this month.

“Paul will talk about his work to revive the Roding as a public benefit, including work to clear litter, campaign for the reduction of pollution, make the river a haven for wildlife and improve public access by creating riverside paths,” said a Friends spokesperson. The event is open to all and will take place at Wanstead Golf Club on 29 April (7pm for 7.30pm).

Visit wnstd.com/fwp

Local resident Nina Stafford explains the background to ArtHouse Social, a new charity dedicated to providing therapeutic art sessions for young adults with additional needs

When my daughter Renee was born in 2004 with Hirschsprung’s disease, a genetic bowel condition, our world changed forever. After developing E. coli and sepsis, she spent her first year at the Royal London Hospital.

As parents, we watched anxiously as Renee grew stronger, but at a pace different from that of her peers. The developmental gaps widened with time, and short-term memory challenges became evident as she progressed. Mainstream education proved increasingly difficult for Renee. So, at 13, we made the life-changing decision to move her to West Lea, a special needs school in Edmonton. This environment transformed our daughter and our family. She thrived, formed meaningful friendships and discovered a place where she could simply be her brilliant self, without pressure to conform.

The transition from this nurturing school environment into adulthood was devastating. Renee’s confidence crumbled as the structure and support system she relied upon disappeared. Severe anxiety overtook her, making even leaving the house an overwhelming challenge.

Today, after much perseverance, Renee works part-time at Millgrove Pre-School, a position she adores. The dedicated staff have allowed her to flourish professionally. However, socially, a significant void remains.

Throughout this journey, I’ve observed a critical gap for young adults with additional needs in our community. The lack of structured social opportunities, where individuals can build meaningful connections, is profound. Witnessing the impact on Renee has inspired me to create something new.

So, this spring, we are launching therapeutic art sessions in a small group setting – a space where 18- to 25-year-olds can create together, while forming friendships in a supportive environment. Ella Deeks is an integral part of this journey. With a degree in performing arts and music, and experience as a teacher before completing a diploma in child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counselling, Ella brings invaluable expertise to our programme. We are so excited that she will be leading our sessions. Our vision is to foster creativity alongside community building, offering participants greater independence and the confidence to engage with the wider world.

This project goes beyond creating opportunities for my daughter; it’s about building a community. When young adults find spaces where they can authentically be themselves while connecting with others, the impact ripples outward. We invite you to join us in making this dream a reality – whether through supporting our fundraisers or spreading the word. Together, we can create a space where everyone belongs.

A fundraising disco will take place at the Heathcote and Star in Leytonstone on 25 April. Visit wnstd.com/arth

As the bluebells begin to make an appearance in Wanstead Park and across Epping Forest, the City of London Corporation is again reminding visitors to respect the iconic and delicate flowers.

“To enjoy the annual spectacle of the woodland floor carpeted in blue, it’s really important not to trample these fragile plants. Please keep to the designated pathways, even before the flowers bloom. Do not step on the bluebells and do not pick the flowers, so they can continue to be enjoyed by visitors and wildlife, this year, and beyond.”

Wanstead boasts a thriving swan population and with nesting season underway, local Swan Sanctuary volunteer Louisa Green urges the public to respect the swans’ space

Swan nesting season is upon us. It takes around one to two weeks to build the nest, and then the females will lay an egg every 24 to 48 hours until finished, incubating them for between 36 and 42 days. The average number of eggs is six or seven, but we do have females who regularly lay 10.

Wanstead is home to many swans, in Wanstead Park, on the Flats and on Eagle Pond in Snaresbrook, so here are a few things to be aware of during this important time of the year.

Never throw food onto a nest. The females will have gained several kilos prior to the laying process and will not eat very often during the six-week incubation period. By the time her eggs hatch, she will be close to her original weight. She knows what she’s doing! Food thrown onto nests can attract rats and other predators who can eat the precious eggs.

If you are taking photos, please keep your distance; use a zoom lens rather than getting up close.

Please, please, please keep dogs under very close control during this time (and all year round). Even if your pet is ‘great with children’ or ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly’, you have absolutely no way of knowing how your dog will react to a 12kg bird with a two-metre wingspan protecting their nest in their own environment.

Females do not deserve to be spooked on their nests and there have been national cases in the past of females who remain loyal to their eggs, refuse to leave their nest when challenged by a dog and are then killed. Males will be hyper-aggressive during this time too, and large cobs will not think twice about defending their waters from dogs.

Respect the swans and do not get too close to their nest. It is their environment and we would not think lightly of someone trying to encroach on our space, or hanging over the garden fence with a camera phone! Again, a pen will not abandon her eggs and will remain on her nest, feeling threatened and scared.

Never, ever share the specific location of nests and eggs on social media. There are folks out there who will target these nests for eggs and wildlife crime, and even if you think the swans are safe behind fencing or other barriers, this will not stop a determined criminal. Similarly, please do not share the locations of cygnets, ducklings or goslings. Not everyone is kind.

For more information on The Swan Sanctuary, visit wnstd.com/swans

To report a local injured swan or waterbird, call 07970 404 866 or 07527 750 277

In the 45th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces harpists Oliver Wass and Lise Vandersmissen, who will be performing in Wanstead this month

Redbridge Music Society continues its aim of bringing high-quality musical events to the borough with a recital given by award-winning young harpists Oliver Wass and Lise Vandersmissen. Their recital will include music by Bizet, de Falla, Tarrega, Ortiz (South American folk music) and The Beatles.

Belgian harpist Lise Vandersmissen graduated ‘magna cum laude’ at LUCA School of Arts, Belgium, followed by a Master’s degree (distinction) and a two-year fellowship programme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has won many awards, including first prize at the International Harp Competition in Slovenia, the Guildhall Harp Prize and the Culture Prize in Bilzen, Belgium.

Lise has played as a concerto soloist with orchestras in the UK, Poland, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands, both on the modern pedal harp and on the Italian triple harp. She is also a chamber ensemblist, playing in the Duo Molinello and Aglica Trio ensembles, and as a continuo player, she has performed with the English Touring Opera, London Händel Festival Orchestra and La Nuova Musica. In 2019, she gave the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Four Meditations for solo harp (a work dedicated to her) and to date has released two albums.

Oliver Wass holds a first-class Master’s degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied with Imogen Barford. He has won many prizes at international harp competitions, including those held in Italy, Slovenia and Hungary and in 2016 became the first harpist ever to win the Guildhall Gold Medal, the Guildhall’s most prestigious prize (previous winners include Jacqueline du Pré, Bryn Terfel and Tasmin Little).

Oliver plays modern and early harps and owns an Italian triple harp and a Spanish cross-strung harp. He is in much demand as a chamber, concerto and orchestral player and has performed at prestigious venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Barbican Hall. He has performed every major harp concerto and has appeared with many orchestras

Oliver’s flute-viola-harp trio, The Pelléas Ensemble, has won many awards, including the Grand and Audience Prizes in the St Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Music Competition. Their debut CD was released by Linn Records in 2021 and their next album will be released this year by Tactus Records.

Their recital will be a very special evening. Please come along and hear these outstanding young harpists as they celebrate music of many genres.

The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 15 April from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.