August 2025

The City of London Corporation has assessed the impact of recent grass fires on Wanstead Flats.

It follows a 14-acre blaze in July and two smaller, consecutive fires in August.

“Our checks have, sadly, confirmed the loss of important areas of broom (Cytisus scoparius) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and damage to grassland areas and to some oak trees… Thanks to the swift work of firefighters and forest keepers, burn depth is mostly shallow, giving the land a better chance to recover naturally,” said a spokesperson.

The Parish of Wanstead has been granted permission to restore the Wanstead War Memorial.

“Redbridge Council, which owns the memorial, has licensed us to commission a reputable firm to carry out as much work as funds allow. The priority is to clean the memorial and retouch the worn names. We’d also like to repoint the stone and repaint the base,” said Rev James Gilder.

Over £1,000 was raised at VE Day anniversary events in May.

It’s hoped the work will be completed in time for this year’s Remembrance Sunday parade.

Wanstead Village ward councillors have issued a statement about plans for the introduction of permanent market stalls in Wanstead:

“We understand concerns about the impact on the High Street. There was a consultation on the council’s street trading policy last year. Our position is to oppose any stall application that competes with existing businesses. There has been one application for a fruit and vegetable stall so far, which we have opposed. Those with concerns can contact us or the licensing authority.”

Visit wnstd.com/councillors

Former Aldersbrook resident and theatre school founder Sylvia Young has died at the age of 86.

“Our mum was a true visionary. She gave young people from all walks of life the chance to pursue their performing arts skills to the highest standard. Her rare ability to recognise raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the richness of today’s theatre and music works,” said her daughters Alison and Frances.

The Sylvia Young Theatre School was founded in 1981. In 2005, Sylvia received an OBE for services to the arts.

A floating reedbed installed earlier this year in Wanstead Park has grown into a thriving ecosystem.

“The 160-square-metre floating reedbed in Heronry Pond was funded by Britvic and installed by Thames21 in February. It is now a vibrant habitat for insects, such as dragonflies and damselflies. Underwater, the roots provide shelter for small fish and aquatic invertebrates, with snails and other molluscs doing an amazing job as a natural barrier, filtering the water,” said a City of London Corporation spokesperson.

A petition has been launched against Redbridge Council’s plans for the introduction of permanent market stalls in Wanstead.

Up to nine pitches could be located along the High Street – from Wanstead station to Gail’s Bakery – which could be trading seven days a week. The new pitches are listed in the council’s Street Trading Policy 2025, which was recently approved by the council’s cabinet.

At the time of writing, an application has been made for a fruit and vegetable stall outside The George and Dragon and a weekend Greek street food stall outside Tesco.

Visit wnstd.com/stalls

Nominations are invited for the Redbridge People’s Plaque Scheme, a new initiative by the council to celebrate the people, buildings, landmarks, parks, open spaces and events that have shaped the borough’s history.

Nominations – which must have a clear historical connection to Redbridge as known since 1965 – will be reviewed by a panel, including councillors and representatives from community and youth groups.

Visit wnstd.com/plaque

From Edinburgh to Lagos, fringe festivals are about community, creativity and celebration. And that applies to Wanstead as well, writes Camille Leadbeater ahead of 23 days of cultural activity on our doorstep

In Edinburgh, the word ‘Fringe’ is practically part of the city’s identity and everyone knows it as the home of the world’s biggest arts festival. But what I hadn’t fully appreciated until recently is just how far that spirit has travelled.

There are Fringes popping up all over the world, and each one is a reflection of its own local culture and creativity. I recently had the chance to meet the founder of the Lagos Fringe. Suffice to say, the vibrant sprawl of Lagos, Nigeria couldn’t feel more different to the cold, cobbled streets of Edinburgh, yet the Fringe spirit thrives there just as powerfully.

In many ways, it’s the same grassroots, community-driven ethos, but shaped to reflect the voices, rhythms and realities of a completely different place. It was a reminder that while every Fringe looks and feels unique, at its heart, it’s always about giving people the space to tell their stories, in their own way.

A fringe festival represents the thriving pulse of a community; grassroots creativity taking centre stage, often in unexpected places, and always with the aim of connecting local people through experiences. Edinburgh hosted the OG Fringe, beginning in 1947 as an act of defiance; uninvited performers putting on shows in protest against exclusivity in the arts. Today, it is a global phenomenon, attracting thousands of artists and audiences alike. But the spirit of the fringe – unfiltered, community-driven and delightfully unpredictable – has taken root well beyond Scotland.

In recent years, cities across the globe have launched their own versions, celebrating local talent in theatre, music, dance and spoken word. These lesser-known fringes are no less vital; they are redefining how art is made and shared, making space for stories that often go unheard on mainstream stages.

The 2025 Wanstead Fringe is shaping up to be another joyful expression of local talent and imagination. Running from 6 to 27 September, this East London celebration will once again transform our neighbourhood into a buzzing hub of cultural activity. Things kick off with a much-loved eve-of-fringe tradition: the musical charivari hosted by Joe Walters on Friday 5 September. The next day, Nightingale Lane will come alive for The Duke street party, followed by the ever-enchanting open-air family Kinema in Christ Church gardens. Over the following three weeks there will be plays, author events, comedy, tastings, tours and more, and music everywhere, concluding with the Natural Voices choir on the final day.

As ever, our Fringe is powered by the people who live here. In the end, a Fringe is more than just a festival – it echoes the soul of a place. The full line-up will be unveiled soon. If you’ve got something to share or just want to be involved, drop the team a line.

For more information on Wanstead Fringe, visit wnstd.com/fringe

Essex Art Club will be holding its annual summer exhibition at Wanstead House this month.

“There will be over 100 works by more than 20 artists on display, plus browser items and cards for sale. Please do come along to see work by members of our historic club,” said a spokesperson. The Essex Art Club was founded in 1899 and was originally a sketching club for students of Walthamstow School of Art (at that time, Walthamstow was in the Essex countryside).

The display will be open on 30 and 31 August.

Visit www.essexart.club

From unfair dismissal to zero-hour contracts, Mariam Zaadane from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash explains some of the key proposed reforms in the Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill is a significant piece of legislation designed to create a fairer, more equitable workplace. It seeks to address key issues within the employment law landscape. As part of the government’s broader ‘Plan to Make Work Pay,’ the Bill is designed to enhance worker protections, boost living standards and support economic growth. As of 1 July 2025, the Employment Rights Bill has undergone significant revision to strengthen workers’ rights, and has recently completed its committee stage in the House of Lords.

Unfair dismissal
From autumn 2026, employees will be entitled to unfair dismissal protection from ‘day one’ of employment, removing the current two-year qualifying period. Alongside this, statutory probationary periods will be introduced, allowing employers to terminate employment or issue up to three months’ notice during this initial phase. These changes mark a significant shift in employee rights, meaning more workers will likely challenge their dismissal. As a result, it will be essential for employers to include clear probation terms in employment contracts. Employers must also review their existing disciplinary and dismissal procedures, ensuring HR professionals and managers are fully trained to manage performance concerns in line with the new legal framework.

Fire and rehire
From October 2026, employers will lose the ability to dismiss staff who refuse contractual changes. Any attempt to alter terms and conditions will require clear justification. With fewer options to enforce changes, some employers may turn to redundancies instead. Dismissing an employee to replace them or rehire them on new terms will also be classed as automatically unfair, unless there is a clear justification. To prepare, employers should prioritise drafting employment contracts that offer maximum flexibility from the outset.

Protections against zero-hour contracts
From 2027, workers on zero-hour contracts will be entitled to greater job security. If a casual worker regularly works more hours over a 12-week reference period, they will have the right to request a contract that reflects those established hours. Employers will be required to consider this request reasonably. Although zero-hour contracts will remain legal, these reforms aim to ensure casual workers with regular patterns are not left in uncertainty. In addition, workers must be given reasonable notice of their shifts. If a shift is cancelled or changed at short notice, the worker will be entitled to compensation. What counts as “reasonable notice” is still under discussion. These changes will require employers to monitor casual work arrangements closely and identify when a worker becomes eligible for a regular contract.

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

Wanstead Community Riding Stables will be hosting a free open day on 25 August to raise funds for the Riding for the Disabled Association.

“We’ll be open from 11am to 3pm. Come and see the stables, meet the horses, watch a riding display and enjoy the stalls, crafts and activities,” said centre manager Sandy Loughlin.

Located off Empress Avenue in Aldersbrook – adjacent to Wanstead Park – the 50-year-old stables provide opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to ride and care for horses.

isit wcrscic.co.uk