May 2025

In the first of a series of articles, Benjamin Murphy, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, reports on the improvement projects that will be getting underway in Wanstead Park this summer

Wanstead Park is a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 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 Heritage at Risk Register in 2010, while the Grotto was separately added in 2017.

Over the next few months, work will begin on several heritage and conservation projects in Wanstead Park as part of our ongoing efforts to care for this much-loved historic landscape.

Thanks to donations from the Friends of Wanstead Parklands and Aldersbrook Families Association, the play area will be getting a facelift, including new play equipment, signage and a surfaced path to an accessible nest swing. During this time, the play area will need to be closed completely, and we hope to have the work finished this summer.

As readers may already know, the Grotto is in need of work to stabilise its structure to remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register. This essential work, led by the City of London Corporation as conservators of Epping Forest, will also begin this summer and is expected to continue until the end of the year. Works will include removing and replacing decayed bricks and loose pointing and reinstating new flaunching – the mortar base holding the chimney stacks in position. From a distance, these changes might not look like a lot, but along with a steel frame that will be erected at the back of the Grotto, they will stabilise the brickwork and ensure it remains in good condition.

As outlined in my January article, Wanstead Park’s British Isles-shaped ‘Map Tree’ has a pronounced lean toward the Ornamental Water and exposed roots at the base of the trunk (see picture). Sadly, these roots are being damaged from heavy footfall, so, in the next few weeks, a low fence will be built around this 200-year-old cedar to help protect it. The roots not only carry nutrients and water but anchor the tree firmly in the ground. Please help us preserve this much-loved specimen for as long as possible by keeping off the roots. There remains some optimism the tree may surprise us and continue for decades to come, but we are also making plans to plant a replacement nearby.

There are also several projects underway to improve the water resilience in the park.  Our new Wanstead Park Projects Officer is coordinating these to ensure their successful delivery over the next couple of years. More to follow on this in a future issue.

Throughout these important conservation and heritage works, some areas of the Park may be closed off to visitors, for your safety.

For more information and updates, visit wnstd.com/colc

Organisers of the Wanstead Fringe are keen to hear from volunteers to help fill a range of roles.

“The Wanstead Fringe is growing from an annual festival into a larger arts organisation. Getting it together takes cunning and effort from a growing team of wonderful, enthusiastic people,” said Fringe founder Giles Wilson.

Roles that currently need to be filled include publicity, fundraising, business operations and event stewarding.

This year’s Fringe will run from 6 to 27 September.

Visit wnstd.com/wf25vol

From school play to community stage: the Highams Players celebrate friendship, talent and a love of theatre ahead of their next production in Wanstead this month. Rina Davison reports

The Highams Players was founded in 1939 by former pupils of Woodford County High School, known at that time as Highams School. Two of the students formed a drama society and had to search for men for the male parts as it was an all-girls school! Since those humble beginnings, our society has grown and we pride ourselves on being not just members of a drama society, but friends.

Sue and Howard Walters have been members since 1988. Sue is Honorary Secretary and has taken part in many productions over the years. Howard is Honorary Treasurer and a dab hand at set building. Without the loyal support of people like Tony Wright, who has been setting up our lights and sound for many years, and Ruth Lisk, who has joined us recently on the refreshments side (what would Highams be without our famous free tea, coffee and biscuits in the interval?), we would not be able to function!

Our director Dennis Joyce chose Something to Hide for our next performance because thrillers are very popular with the Highams audience, and this is a very good one! In this suspenseful tale, novelist Howard Holt’s country home becomes the setting for a dark crisis when his wife, Karen, arrives late one night, distraught after accidentally killing a young woman in a car accident. This will be Dennis’ eighth production for us and he is enjoying working with a lovely bunch of actors, some of whom are joining us for the first time, while others are of long-standing. I am one of the more recent members. I joined in 2023 when I was looking to add some post-pandemic fun to my life!

Like countless others, Si Hussain’s first experience of acting was at school. Following a long hiatus, his passion was rekindled when he joined Highams Players in 2017. We also have Bobbie Hindman, who joined Highams Players in 2012 and since then has spent many a happy evening either treading the boards or huddled in the prompt corner trying to keep wayward actors on track! Another of our regulars is Stephen Aminzade, who has been involved with Highams for nearly five years and Something to Hide will be his fifth play. Returning to the stage for the second time is Paskell Meal, who attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC, and although she decided to trade in the professional world of acting for working with the LEGO group, she is happier than ever. Joining the cast for the first time is Harry Brierley, a graduate of East 15 Acting School, who brings fresh talent and energy to the stage. He’s joined by fellow newcomer Jessie Smith, whose passion for theatre began in early childhood.

Would you like to join us? Whether on stage or behind the scenes, new members are always welcome. Or simply join us in the audience – no show is complete without you!

For more information and to book tickets, call 020 8924 6987 or visit highamsplayers.co.uk

Redbridge Council is urgently calling on men in Redbridge to prioritise their health.

It follows a report by the council’s Public Health Team, which highlighted that more men die prematurely than women in the borough. The top cause of death was cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke), followed by cancer and liver disease. Redbridge also has the third-highest prevalence of diabetes in London.

Visit wnstd.com/hlth

From an organ made 100 years ago to recorders made out of carrots, the late-spring bank holiday will see the return of the May Music Festival at St Mary’s Church. Festival director Alison Wells reports

I am really excited about this year’s May Music Festival programme, which features family fun with the London Vegetable Orchestra, rising stars of the Royal Opera House’s young artist scheme, music of the golden age of the guitar and a celebration of St Mary’s organ. 

As usual, we’ve tried to combine the best of local talent with amazing musicians at the start of their careers. Our own Martin Wheatley – a member of the St Mary’s congregation and one of our volunteer organists, as well as being a leading jazz guitarist in the UK and abroad – will be leading a concert of popular music featuring guitars, Hawaiian guitars, banjos, ukeleles, violin and double bass… and some singing. And there will also be some rather more eccentric and fun items in this year’s programme.

The London Vegetable Orchestra certainly answers to the eccentric description, and their event on Saturday 24 May is going to be lots of fun for all ages; we’ve introduced a family ticket for that event, which is very good value. They will be showing us how to make a recorder out of vegetables – yes, really! We have lots of peppers and carrots on order!  And if you need any further endorsement of this event, look no further than the King himself, who played a carrot recorder with the London Vegetable Orchestra during a reception at Windsor Castle last month. Also, we’re excited that Reuters will be filming this event for a documentary.

That evening, mezzo-soprano Ellen Pearson and baritone Sam Hird, who are about to start their Royal Opera House careers, will be presenting a lovely recital of songs and duets, showcasing their talents and their wonderful communication skills. I am honoured to be accompanying them for this performance. Both these young singers, graduates of the Royal College of Music, have already won several competitions and sung operatic roles, so don’t miss them – you can say you heard them here first!

The organ day this year is going to be a little different in that we are having other local musicians playing alongside our 100-year-old pipe organ. Susan FitzGerald will play her flute, Jane Miller her violin and our multi-talented Rector James Gilder will be bringing his euphonium. Toby Ward, conductor of award-winning Ensemble Pro Victoria, will also give a talk about the changing role of organs – bringing them out of the organ loft and using them in film is an idea composers have been latching on to.

We’ve kept ticket prices the same as last year, with concessions for under-18s and over-65s. Season tickets are available too and a bar will be operating in the churchyard before concerts and at intervals. We look forward to seeing you.

The May Music Festival will run from 24 to 26 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit wnstd.com/may25

An artist has transformed the pump house in Wanstead Park – located between the Ornamental Water and the River Roding – with a piece entitled What We Leave Behind.

Inspired by a desire to give back to a much-loved space, the work unifies old markings and graffiti with patterns inspired by the park’s natural features, such as rippling water and tree woodgrain.

“It was interesting to engage with visitors as I worked and explain my idea of wanting to meaningfully improve this spot in the park,” said film and TV artist Alex Glenn.

A total of 70 new trees have been planted across Wanstead between November 2024 and March 2025.

“The Local Authority Treescapes Fund made this tree-planting initiative possible. This fund, dedicated to enhancing our local environment, has also ensured the trees will be irrigated for the next three years,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson. While the council’s tree adoption window has closed, residents are encouraged to help care for the new trees by watering them during spring and summer.

Visit wnstd.com/tree

A variety of nature-themed events will be held in Wanstead Park and on Wanstead Flats next month as part of the Wren Wildlife Group’s annual Wanstead Wildlife Weekend.

“There will be a range of activities for all ages and abilities, including moth trapping, insect walks, botanical walks and practical and art activities. A full agenda with more details will be circulated nearer the time, but save the date!” said a spokesperson.

The two-day series of free events will take place on 21 and 22 June.

Visit wnstd.com/wren

Redbridge Council has called on Thames Water to “prioritise and expedite” remedial work on sewage outfalls in the River Roding.

Recent monitoring by Thames21 and the River Roding Trust revealed high levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci bacteria, exceeding safe limits by over 20 times on some parts of the river, likely due to unauthorised sewage discharge by Thames Water.

At a meeting in March, the council resolved to maintain pressure on relevant authorities and continue to advocate for urgent action.

When Bob Pickett joined Wanstead Bowling Club, it not only filled the void left by early retirement but also improved his health and provided a sense of community and new friends

I had the opportunity to take early retirement. Very exciting, but the challenge was to fill the space previously taken up by work. I’m naturally active, so it was very important I came up with things to do to fill my time.

I had also just been diagnosed as pre-diabetic; taking regular exercise would be an important part of the lifestyle changes I needed to adopt.

As chance would have it, I glanced at the noticeboard in my local supermarket. There was a banner offering the chance to try out lawn bowls at Wanstead Bowling Club for free. I had played a few games a number of years earlier, so I visited their Overton Drive green. The club members were so welcoming, the green looked fantastic and bowling was as fun as I remembered.

I signed up as a member the next day.

Joining the club filled a range of needs. Bowls is a great, low-intensity sport, helping to maintain muscle mass, stability and concentration – it has been proven that concentrating for long periods helps maintain good mental health. Playing bowls on top of swimming brought additional exercise into my life, an essential part of responding to my pre-diabetes diagnosis.

After six months, blood tests showed my haemoglobin levels were normal; I was no longer pre-diabetic. Playing bowls on a regular basis (along with positive changes to my diet and sleep pattern) was definitely a factor in my improved health.

Joining the club also introduced me to a group of like-minded people. A number of social events are held throughout the year; quizzes, wine tastings, there is a lot to take part in. You can become as involved as you want. The club plays in a number of leagues so there are lots of regular matches. If you don’t feel ready to play competitive games, there is a roll-up (series of friendly games with other members) every Friday afternoon.

I now play in a number of matches throughout the season and get involved with the social side, helping to set up events, and I’ve built a whole new group of friends. I recently took over as the club’s marketing coordinator, giving me the chance to promote the club and introduce others to a great sport and social scene. The void created by retirement is well and truly filled!

If you would like to give bowls a try, we are hosting an open day this month. It’s free; just bring a pair of flat shoes and wear comfortable clothes. A cash bar and cream teas will also be on offer. So, whether you have a void to fill like me or just want to see what’s on offer, come and join us for an afternoon on the green.

Wanstead Bowling Club – located on Overton Drive, E11 2LW (next to the golf club) – will host an open day on 11 May from 12 noon to 4pm. Call 07702 075 788 or visit wansteadbowlingclub.wordpress.com

Redbridge Council has joined over 30 other local authorities across the country in calling for urgent reform of gambling laws, citing concerns over the number of slot machine and betting shops opening on high streets.

This follows the council agreeing a cross-party motion at the end of March calling for councils to be given the power to reject premise license applications that threaten community welfare and safety,” said a spokesperson.

In the 46th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces pianist John Paul Ekins, who will perform at Wanstead Library this month

One of Redbridge Music Society’s key aims is to promote and celebrate the work of outstanding younger musicians. This month, award-winning pianist John Paul Ekins makes a welcome return to Wanstead with a recital of music by Mozart (the well-known piano sonata in C major K 545), Brahms and Schubert (four impromptus).

John Paul Ekins is in much demand as a piano recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. After graduating from the Royal College of Music, he went on to obtain a Master of Performance degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has performed at many prestigious venues in the UK and abroad, including the Wigmore Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Prague’s Martinu Hall, Bergen’s Troldhaugen and the Zurich Tonhalle.

To date, he has won 19 prizes at international competitions and has received generous support from organisations such as Making Music and the Keyboard Charitable Trust. Highlights of his career so far include performances of both Rhapsody in Blue and the Warsaw Concerto at the Royal Albert Hall and being presented to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a reception for young performers at Buckingham Palace.

Besides teaching piano at St Paul’s School, John Paul also undertakes extensive educational and outreach work via workshops and master classes. During the Covid-19 lockdown, he raised money for the NHS and Help Musicians UK via a series of highly successful online recitals.

Due to his experience as a performer, listener, thinker and teacher, John Paul has become increasingly fascinated by the depth and variety of the human condition and has allied this fascination to his pianism to establish a highly personalised approach to communicating the power of music to audiences. His approach, which reaches beyond the scope of most performers, focuses on the possible stories suggested by each piece of music he plays, thereby allowing both performer and listener to explore the deeper psychological and symbolic threads that are woven into the fabric of the great musical compositions. By sharing these stories with his audiences, John Paul brings classical music to life in new and exciting ways and provides audiences with the opportunity to deepen their musical experience by imagining and feeling in ways that include both the uniquely individual and the universal.

This recital rounds off Redbridge Music Society’s 2024/2025 season and promises to be an interesting and educative not-to-be-missed musical event.

The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 13 May from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.