November 2025

In the 49th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces local choir Modality Voices, who will perform a seasonal concert in Wanstead this month

One of Redbridge Music Society’s main aims is to promote and support local groups and musicians, and this month at Wanstead Library, local community choir Modality Voices will present an evening of seasonal music and readings entitled A Nutcracker Christmas, directed by Jenny Ewington and accompanied by pianist Ben Summers. This will be followed in the second half of the evening by complimentary wine and seasonal food.

Modality Voices was founded by Jenny Ewington in 2016 and is a friendly, diverse, mixed-voice choir with singers ranging in age from 16 upwards. The choir, which meets and rehearses weekly in Woodford, has established a reputation for its imaginative performances, its quality blended sound and its great harmonies.

For several years running, Modality Voices has been awarded first place in the choir section of the Stratford and East London Music Festival.

Modality Voices does much charitable work, currently for local Children’s Charity ELHAP (Every Life Has a Purpose), which supports and helps disabled and disadvantaged children through the provision of safe but stimulating adventure play.

Woodford-based Jenny Ewington, Modality Voice’s founder and musical director, is a qualified singing teacher with over 25 years of experience. She has worked with singers of all ages, abilities and styles and many of her students have gone on to careers in singing. Jenny also works in schools as a singing specialist, leads other choirs, writes vocal arrangements, leads workshops and creates performances. She strives to challenge her choirs musically (whilst having fun!) and her mission is to bring joy, connection and vitality to people’s lives through the inspiration of musical performance.

Piano accompanist Ben Summers studied at Baliol College, Oxford, and at the Guildhall School of Music, where he specialised in double bass. He enjoys a varied playing career and has worked with London orchestras and X Factor winners, has given live radio performances and has recorded at Abbey Road Studios. He has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium.

In addition to piano and double bass, Ben plays bass guitar and organ and also conducts and composes. Ben has been working with Jenny and Modality Voices since 2019.

Please come and start your run-up to the Christmas season in a friendly and convivial atmosphere!

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

Wanstead resident Frank Charles BEM is collecting gifts for his annual appeal.

“This will be my 22nd year of delivering Christmas presents to children on Acorn Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital who are too sick to go home over the festive period. I thank the Wanstead community for all their support over the years and welcome donations of new toys and books suitable for ages up to 16 years,” said Frank.

Donations for the Frank Charles Give A Gift Appeal can be left at Wanstead Pharmacy (75–77 High Street) until 6pm on 12 December.

Residents of Cowley Road have written to Redbridge Council to object to the proposed installation of four new electric vehicle charging points on their street.

“We support measures to reduce climate change but we have not received any prior notification of these proposals… There are already two charge points on Cowley Road and the new locations will reduce parking space in a narrow street. This will adversely affect the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians,” said a residents’ spokesperson.

Redbridge Council is to install 35 new electric vehicle charging points on lampposts across Wanstead.

It’s the final phase of a two-year project in partnership with Siemens and ubitricity, which has seen over 300 new on-street charge points installed across the borough.

“This is another big step towards ensuring we have the proper infrastructure in place to ensure there are no barriers to people using electric vehicles. We all have a role to play in tackling climate change,” said Councillor Jo Blackman.

Visit wnstd.com/ev3

Redbridge Council has launched a consultation on plans for a 20mph road safety zone across Wanstead Village ward, covering the area between and including Hermon Hill, Hollybush Hill and Cambridge Park.

The proposals also include the installation of signage and road markings, as well as traffic calming measures.

“We are intending to install speed humps on Hollybush Hill, Spratt Hall Road, Nutter Lane, Rutland Road, Grove Park and Elmcroft Avenue. We also intend to install speed cushions on Chigwell Road, Hermon Hill and New Wanstead,” said a spokesperson.

It follows approval for a similar 20mph zone in Wanstead Park ward, covering all roads south of the A12 and north of Wanstead Flats.

If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, there is a 2.5% chance they will be fatally injured, compared to a 20% chance at 30mph.

The consultation is open until 18 December.

Visit engage.redbridge.gov.uk/wanstead-village-road-safety-zone 

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is running a multi-trade training initiative in Wanstead.

Located on the site of the former St Joseph’s Convent School on Cambridge Park, Build Academy is a 12-month pilot project in partnership with CITB and Shooters Hill Sixth Form College. “We’re not talking about theory in a classroom. This is practical training… The focus is simple: to give learners core construction skills and proper health and safety training in a realistic environment,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/fmb

The Wanstead Village Directory is one of 100 businesses to reach the finals of the Ilford and Redbridge Business Awards following a three-month public vote.

“I am extremely grateful to all those who voted for us and the kind comments made about our publication. Regardless of the outcome, it has been wonderful to hear the appreciation our readers and advertisers have for the magazine,” said editor Lee Marquis.

Winners will be announced at an award ceremony at Ilford’s Coliseum Suite in December.

Aldersbrook resident Grace Sparks has celebrated her 100th birthday.

“Mum was delighted to get her card from the King and had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday with lots of tea parties with family, friends and neighbours,” said Grace’s daughter Jen.

Grace was born in Islington in 1925. She moved to Aldersbrook in 1958 with her husband, Bill, and their three children.

“Mum has thoroughly enjoyed living in Aldersbrook for the past 67 years. She loves the neighbourly spirit and has always appreciated being near Wanstead Park.”

October’s Wanstead Beer Festival – which was attended by a record 950 people – raised £4,203 for local charities.

The money will be shared between the Wren Wildlife Group, Wanstead Community Stables and Christ Church. “This will help us continue to survey and monitor our area’s wildlife and further our commitment to sharing Wanstead’s wonderful natural history with local people,” said Tim Harris of the Wren Wildlife Group.

Organisers have also confirmed the festival will return to the halls of Christ Church on 10 October 2026.

Over 250 flowers were planted outside Wanstead Station as part of a two-day community planting event in October.

“A big thank you to all the volunteers who took part. Our community planting days are a really fun way to create vibrant neighbourhoods that help local wildlife to thrive. It’s also an excellent way to strengthen community bonds,” said Councillor Jo Blackman.

Led by Redbridge Council’s Neighbourhoods Team, the initiative was funded externally by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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