April 2025

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.

A documentary about TfL’s recent ‘disastrous’ changes to local bus routes by 14-year-old Riku Fryderyk has received much praise. Here, the young filmmaker tells the story behind the story

During my time on YouTube, I’ve had a chance to explore the various systems that make up the UK’s transport network. The release of my documentary‚ A Bus Route Change Disaster, has been a major turning point for my channel’s development.

In the first week since the film was published, I found myself replying to 100-plus extensive comments. People have been sharing their personal experiences, expressing their outrage at the issues my documentary discusses and encouraging me to send the film to ITV. I’m very happy to see so much positive feedback on this film, as the production, which commenced on 31 January, took me through a difficult emotional journey; the weight of the problems I was uncovering day by day started bearing down on me, leaving me exhausted as I grew closer to the final edit.

When I attended one of the Save Our Local Bus Services campaign meetings at Christ Church in Wanstead, I never intended to create a documentary. At the time, I was recording content for a film about bus route 347, which was being withdrawn the following day. I became interested in the campaign and eventually proposed to make the film; the rest is history.

Throughout February, I could often be seen running around the area with all sorts of camera equipment. This was the largest project I’ve ever undertaken, and though it was fully self-produced, much of what you see was a collaborative effort between myself and local residents to highlight the most important issues. There were many moments of shock, such as when I got stranded at Whipps Cross bus stand, when Dave Sleet made me aware of the harsh truths of the changes’ impact on people’s wellbeing and the imminent introduction of shorter buses on the dangerously busy W12 route. The most memorable part of the entire production process was the moment in which I was screaming internally out of appreciation as I wrapped up my interview with Wes Streeting MP, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, at an event in Parliament. His contribution to the documentary was invaluable.

When I first sat down at my laptop to begin cutting down seven and a half hours worth of recording, I realised there was still much more footage to record to be able to tell the full story.

This project has taught me there is, indeed, a way to report on such issues and remain neutral of opinion. I have met many lovely people, picked up new filmmaking techniques, become more efficient in organising large loads of information and strengthened my storytelling skills. But above all, I can now call myself a documentary producer.

To watch the documentary, A Bus Route Change Disaster, visit wnstd.com/rfyt

Recent changes to local bus routes have impacted the lives of many residents. In the fourth of a series of articles, Save Our Local Bus Services campaign organiser Liz Martins reflects on six months of struggle

I am very conscious that whilst drafting this article for the Wanstead Village Directory, it is 184 long days of inhumane and unnecessary suffering for residents affected by TfL’s imposed discriminatory and divisive changes to our local bus services. By the time you read this, there will have been well over 200 days of campaigning struggles.

Back in September, when changes to the W12, W13 and W14 bus routes were implemented, TfL insisted they would require six months to collate data on the new routes prior to making any changes. This in itself is a travesty, with public money being inappropriately used to give TfL arguments to support their discriminatory and divisive changes based on profitability rather than residents’ needs, particularly for marginalised groups and the vulnerable in our community. What more do TfL need? We have given them data and real-life stories regarding concerns about the new bus services.

On 27 February, I and fellow campaigners attended the Redbridge Council budget meeting and submitted a deputation to ask what the council could allow for within the budget as interim arrangements until TfL acts to improve their changes. Shockingly, my request was deemed to be “invalid.” There was no basis for this; indeed, the council constitution provides for residents to be permitted to speak if it “relates to a national or local matter that has a significant impact on the borough.” This was acknowledged by Councillor Paul Canal, the only councillor brave enough to request that standing orders be suspended to allow us to speak. Unfortunately, the chair decided to heed the advice of the monitoring officer and declined our request. We walked out in protest.

Last month, I wrote to Andy Lord, Commissioner of TfL, on behalf of the bus campaign requesting a copy of the six months of data collated and to convene an urgent meeting with decision makers to go through it with our GLA representative Keith Prince, so the improvements required can be put in place to ensure residents do not continue to suffer. We also staged another protest outside City Hall to remind all that we are here for the duration until we get improvements.

The next event we will be organising is to go to Downing Street. If you are interested in attending (we are also permitted to take up to six children), please get in touch. Tickets will be on a first come first served basis, but we do need as many to attend as possible as there will be another protest whilst we are there.

To watch a recording of the Redbridge Council budget meeting on 27 February, visit wnstd.com/27bm

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

To view the petition, visit wnstd.com/bus

Residents are invited to take part in a survey which aims to gather views about the River Roding.

“The Roding Rises is a multi-year National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported project, which aims to improve the river’s health, increase awareness of its value and encourage community engagement through guided walks, wildlife talks, art workshops and more. Your feedback will be vital in shaping ideas around the development of this project,” said a spokesperson for environmental charity Thames21.

Visit wnstd.com/rodingsurvey

Jackie Clune, the director of women’s rugby at Eton Manor RFC in Wanstead, was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“Jackie started girls rugby at Eton Manor 12 years ago with only a handful of girls. She was determined to provide playing opportunities for girls at the club, and through a combination of great outreach, liaising with local schools and sheer determination, Eton Manor now boasts around 120 girls playing at each Rugby Football Union age band,” said an event spokesperson.

Maria Sanchez, the managing director of Treehouse Nursery Schools in Wanstead, was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“This award is to recognise Maria’s work in helping to raise much-needed funds for the mayor’s nominated charities, St Francis Hospice and Guide Dogs UK… She organised the Redbridge entry in the New Year’s Day Parade, has held fundraising events at the nursery and has helped with other charity events,” said an event spokesperson.

The Wren Wildlife and Conservation Group was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“They have shown incredible commitment to improving the environment for both current and future generations… The group’s educational approach to wildlife and conservation should also be recognised, with events such as the Wanstead Wildlife Weekend playing an essential role in fostering greater awareness and involvement in conservation efforts,” said an event spokesperson.