April 2026

I live in Snaresbrook and care deeply about the local area. I’m currently a senior director at the UK’s fraud prevention service, tackling fraud and corruption. I also worked in a number of government departments and as head of policy on the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking. I have previously served as a councillor in Waltham Forest and led on economic growth and housing development until May 2022. I will fight to ensure Wanstead Park gets its fair share of investment. That’s why I need your support on 7 May.

Promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour, both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP

I live in Wanstead Park and my children attend local schools. Since becoming your local councillor, I’ve focused on being approachable and responsive to residents. I’ve worked closely with the local police team in Wanstead Park to tackle anti-social behaviour. I’ve also been working to improve traffic and road safety, particularly around the primary school. Additionally, I’m passionate about protecting the River Roding and protecting our local environment. Only Labour has a fully costed plan; don’t risk your community.

Promoted by Thomas Morton on behalf of Redbridge Labour, both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Ave, Ilford, IG4 5EP

Wanstead Park could be transformed by a £5m Heritage Lottery Fund grant, if an ambitious bid by the City of London Corporation succeeds.

At the Friends of Wanstead Parklands AGM last month, Wanstead Park Project Officer Alison O’Connor told members and supporters that the Heritage Lottery Fund is actively encouraging an application, though the process will be lengthy. The first step is securing a £250,000 development grant by late summer 2026, which would fund options appraisals for the park’s Grotto, Temple and long-broken lake system, as well as an 18-month project officer post. If all goes to plan, restoration works on the ground could begin in 2028.

“The park has sat on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 2009. This lottery bid represents the best opportunity yet to finally start to change that,” said a spokesperson for the Friends.

Wanstead should be proud of its connection with former Astronomer Royal James Bradley (1692–1762), says Dr John Fisher in the second of a series of articles celebrating the man who proved the Earth’s motion

In 1711, James Bradley left his home village of Sherborne in Gloucestershire to join his maternal uncle James Pound, the Rector of Wanstead, with the object of being prepared for life as an ordained minister of the Church of England. The same year, Bradley matriculated at Balliol College Oxford as a commoner. He graduated BA in 1714 and MA in 1717.

Before completing his studies at Oxford, Bradley contracted smallpox. He survived, aided by his uncle, who, also having a medical degree and a licence to practice, employed a nurse to ensure round-the-clock care. In 1719, Bradley was ordained as a minister with a small parish in Herefordshire but regularly visited Wanstead.

Bradley’s appointment as Savilian Professor of Astronomy in Oxford in 1721 necessitated his resignation from the Church. As well as his duties in Oxford, he continued working alongside his uncle in Wanstead, observing Jupiter and Saturn and their satellites. His lectures in Oxford, given in Latin, revealed him to be a brilliant teacher of applied mathematics, highlighted by his lecture De cometa, a disquisition on the bright comet of 1723, applying the universal law of gravitation.

In 1722, in Wanstead, James Pound married the wealthy heiress Elizabeth Wymondesold, sister of Matthew, a successful financier who owned a large estate to the east of Wanstead. Late in 1724, Pound suddenly died intestate, leaving Bradley dependent on the goodwill of his new aunt. Their relationship was close, as Elizabeth travelled to Oxford with Bradley when he spent time there and Bradley did not marry until after Elizabeth’s death. Uncertainty about the nature of this relationship may be a reason why Bradley’s private papers were likely destroyed by his executors, which included the Peach family of Chalford, Gloucestershire, into which Bradley married in 1744.

Late in 1727, Bradley suspended a telescope in his aunt’s small house in Wanstead on a site close to the present Co-op. With this telescope, Bradley discovered the aberration of starlight, a deflection in the observed positions of every object in the sky due to the motion of the Earth. Further observations led to the discovery of the nutation of the Earth’s axis. For the first time since precession was discovered by Hipparchus 1,900 years earlier, this discovery allowed astronomers world-wide to calculate “the first point of Aries” with precision and accuracy, a vitally important factor in calculating longitude at sea.

After his appointment in 1742 as Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, where Bradley made far-reaching improvements, he continued his work on nutation in Wanstead. His last recorded observation using the suspended telescope in his late aunt’s small house was September 1747. He no doubt continued social contacts via the Wymondesold family.

For more information on Dr Fisher’s book, The Life and Work of James Bradley, visit wnstd.com/fisher

In the sixth of a series of articles featuring images by Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society members, Anuraj Theivendram compliments Bente Dahl on her keen eye for detail

Photography is often described as a universal language, and few members of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society (WWPS) embody that spirit more warmly than Bente Dahl.

A passionate hobbyist and club member since November 2020, Bente brings both commitment and creativity to her craft using her mobile phone camera, but lately, her compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ80. She is a regular participant in club competitions, where her diverse portfolio ranges from landscapes, travel and macro to vibrant street scenes. Many of her images focus on the local community in Wanstead, capturing everyday life with sensitivity and a keen eye for detail. Whether it’s the quiet dignity of a familiar street corner or the bustle of a local event, Bente’s photographs remind us that beauty often lies in the places closest to home.

Her commitment to exploring different genres and learning from talks and club activities demonstrates that photography is not bound by background or experience. Bente’s work inspires fellow members to experiment boldly, while showing newcomers that the joy of image‑making is open to everyone. Her gallery on the WWPS website highlights this breadth, with pieces such as Entrance and Italian reflecting her curiosity and willingness to see the world from fresh angles.

The outgoing chair, Sue Rosner, and Bente inspired other club members to join the 52 Frames community, where they take up a different challenge each week.

WWPS is proud to celebrate members like Bente, whose dedication enriches the society’s creative life. As a club, we remain committed to encouraging diverse membership across ages, genders and backgrounds. Photography thrives when perspectives are shared, and our competitions, workshops and mentoring sessions are designed to welcome both seasoned photographers and those just beginning their journey. With Bente’s example before us, we invite you to join WWPS. You are invited to visit the club as a guest before committing, meeting on scheduled Mondays in Wanstead House Community Centre.  Together, let’s continue to capture the stories of our community and celebrate the diversity that makes our society strong.

To view more of Bente’s work, visit wnstd.com/bentedahl

For more information on the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, visit wnstd.com/wwps

St Gabriel’s Church in Aldersbrook will host a local history night on 7 May.

“Did you know Winston Churchill gave a rousing speech to an overflowing St Gabriel’s Hall in 1927? Or that St Gabriel’s controversial vicar was a regular in the Daily Mirror in the 1930s? Or that unemployed men helped landscape Wanstead Flats 100 years ago?” said Georgina Brewis.

The event – in aid of the church hall refurbishment fund – will feature a range of stalls and talks, with historians on hand to answer questions (from 6.30pm; tickets: £7). Visit wnstd.com/7m

In the second of a series of articles, Susan Allison reflects on the community project which created nearly 50 kneelers for Christ Church, each with a story to tell and each recording a snapshot of present-day Wanstead

This community project got underway at the Wanstead Festival in September 2024, when stitching began on the first kneeler. Over the following 12 months, another 40-plus kneelers were stitched by numerous members of the community, celebrating the diversity of people and experiences in our village.

Every kneeler (or hassock) tells a story. Working with a uniform deep blue background, kneelers were either purchased directly from stock, modified or uniquely designed to mark a person, business or organisation in Wanstead. Some people chose to purchase and work on their own kneeler; some sponsored a kneeler for someone else to work on and some were purchased
through a generous bequest from John Sunley, a former member of Christ Church’s congregation.

The kneelers were presented to the church in October 2025, along with a guidebook that is available to purchase (£5; in aid of the church tower restoration fund), but the project is not over yet. We are now preparing an exhibition of the kneelers and their stories, which will be on show at this year’s Wanstead Festival. All project documents will then be collated and archived. This project demonstrates Christ Church’s community engagement, a vital component in securing funding for the refurbishment of the church and the restoration of the church tower.Wanstead Community Gardeners
Sewn by: Claire Hill and Irene Thomas
Dedicated to: Marian Temple

This design is the Wanstead Community Gardeners’ logo of an edging tool against a brick wall, adapted for cross-stitch. Rosemary Thomas OBE said: “The kneeler project is appropriate for us since we spend so much time on our knees! We are street gardeners and our aim is to adopt sad patches of public soil (SPPSs) and make them worth walking past. Our first SPPS was the Corner House garden, started in April 2003. Wanstead’s iconic and much-loved High Street cottage garden was, at that time, indeed a very sad patch. Since then, we have adopted tree surrounds, pavement beds, a traffic roundabout and some interesting patches in very unexpected places. No sad patch of earth seen from the street is safe. Our volunteers are our lifeblood. Interested people join in with the work parties and give what time they can, some adopting their own area. For all of us, it is a way of taking some ownership of our environment. Over forty patches have been adopted so far. Long may we continue!”

Tin in a Bin
Sewn by: Susan Allison and Lauren Johnson
Dedicated to: Tin in a Bin foodbank charity

Tin in a Bin is a charity collecting contributions of food and toiletries in ‘bins’ placed at strategic locations across Wanstead, from where they are collected and collated at St Mary’s Church. Contributions support foodbanks and other charities across the borough. Tin in a Bin has sparked local interest with support and posts often seen on social media sites offering items for sale in exchange for contributions to Tin in a Bin. Such sterling work earned the charity the prestigious Mayor’s Community Award in 2022. Locations of the ‘bins’ can be found on the charity’s Facebook page. Lauren was particularly pleased to have helped with this kneeler as she hosts one of the Tin in a Bin drop-off bins at her home.

For more information on the project, visit wnstd.com/kneelers

A hustings will be held at Wanstead Library on 5 May ahead of the local council elections on 7 May.

Candidates representing five political parties will take part. Organised by the East London Humanist group, the debate will have an environmental theme. “Apart from anything else, this will keep the focus on local issues. The environment includes potholes, parking and planning, as well as climate and nature,” said a spokesperson.

The debate will begin at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm).

Questions can be submitted online.

Visit wnstd.com/ask

Head injuries affect more than a million people each year. While many recover fully, others face lasting physical and emotional challenges, explains Bradley Wright of local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash

A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by trauma to the head. The potential causes include falls, accidents at home or work, road traffic accidents or assaults.

More than one million people suffer a head injury each year. Many of those will have minor symptoms and no lasting effects but, unfortunately, others will be left with traumatic brain injuries that can be life-changing.

Mildly traumatic brain injuries may affect your brain cells temporarily, but more serious injuries can result in bruising, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or even death.

Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while other physical and psychological effects may appear days or weeks later.

Signs of potential brain injury include headaches, tiredness, balance problems, vomiting, vision and speech problems, low mood, concentration issues and seizures.

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk of accidents that could cause brain injury, including wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, wearing a helmet while riding a bike, wearing head protection when playing contact sports and even making sure you have a non-slip mat in the bath or shower, or handrails, if necessary.

The effects of traumatic brain injuries differ from person to person, obviously depending on how severe the injury was and what part of the brain was damaged. After serious injuries, many people are left with severe symptoms and may be transferred to a specialist brain injury rehabilitation unit. However, if the patient is judged to be able to return home straight from hospital, the patient and their family should be given contact details of the hospital’s neurological rehabilitation team so they have someone to contact in the future.

A discharge meeting should be held with the hospital before a patient is sent home. Close family members, along with the hospital and rehab staff, should attend. All remaining difficulties the patient has should be considered by the hospital, including any physical, psychological and cognitive issues. It is vital that the patient and their family have been advised on how to manage the patient’s continuing problems and that the hospital has provided a satisfactory explanation as to his or her continuing need for rehabilitation and how this will be met.

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

In the 15th of a series of articles featuring wildlife images from Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats, Diane Dalli presents her shots of a Green Woodpecker

During a walk on Wanstead Flats, I was stopped in my tracks when I noticed some movement in the long grass. I had heard the laughing yaffle call of the Green Woodpecker several times that morning, and here it was, right in front of me!

It stuck its long beak into the soft mud searching for some tasty insects or caterpillars, then hopped up onto a small mound where it stretched its neck up and looked around. I was able to stand some way off as I had a long lens on my camera and took a few shots before it flew off with its characteristic undulating flight.

The Green Woodpecker is a very colourful bird with a green and yellow body and a red crown. The female has a black moustache marking but this is red on the male. Despite its vivid colours, it can be difficult to spot, especially when it lands in a tree. It uses its stiff tail feathers to support it as it climbs up the trunk in a series of hops, blending in with the foliage or lichen on the trees. However, it does generally feed on the ground in grassy areas, using its strong beak and long sticky tongue to help it find the insects it feeds on.

Woodpeckers are usually quite solitary birds, but as spring arrives, they look to pair up and build a nest. The male excavates the nest hole quite high from the ground and prefers the softer decaying wood of a mature tree, especially oak or ash. Four to six eggs are laid, which hatch after about three weeks. Both parents take turns at incubation, and when the eggs hatch, they also take turns feeding the young in the nest.

The Green Woodpecker is just one of the many species of birds that can be seen on the Flats, but it is one of the most appealing and always delightful to see, hear and photograph.

To view more of Diane’s wildlife photos, visit wnstd.com/dalli

Residents are encouraged to ensure they are registered to vote in time for the local council elections taking place on 7 May.

In Redbridge, 63 members of the council will be selected, contested across 22 wards. Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park are represented by three and two councillors respectively. The deadline to register to vote in person is 20 April. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 21 April.

Visit wnstd.com/reg

In the 53rd of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces Jelena Makarova and Sara Minelli, who will be performing in Wanstead this month

Two aims of Redbridge Music Society are to bring high-quality live chamber recitals to Redbridge and to promote musicians who live or work near or within the borough. This month, at Wanstead Library, pianist Jelena Makarova and local flautist Sara Minelli will perform a diverse programme of music, including works by Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Donizetti and Lithuanian composer MK Čiurlionis.

London-based Lithuanian pianist Jelena Makarova is a graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and London’s Royal Academy of Music, where she also participated in masterclasses with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Paul Lewis. She has performed at many famous venues, including Carnegie Hall and London’s Southbank Centre, and has appeared at leading festivals and concert series. She has toured as pianist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Jelena is a passionate advocate for contemporary music, regularly premiering works by emerging and established contemporary composers; she is also a fervent champion of historically underrepresented women composers. Her numerous recordings include new piano and chamber works by Sally Beamish and Philip Lancaster, and with her chamber group, Trio Sonorité, she has recorded Rūta Vitkauskaitė’s The Music Shell in collaboration with Lithuanian National Radio and Television. Upcoming engagements include recitals for London’s Great Exhibition Road Festival and a Lithuanian tour.

Locally based Italian flautist Sara Minelli has performed extensively at prestigious music festivals and venues abroad and in the UK. As a highly regarded soloist, Sara has received special recognition with awards, including the International Valentino Bucchi Prize (Rome) and the Artists International Development Fund Award from the Arts Council of England. She has recorded several albums, all with critical acclaim. She has collaborated with the Royal College of Music and recently worked with the internationally renowned RIOT Ensemble music group in concerts at London’s Royal Academy of Music and in Cambridge. Sara is also a member of the GAMO Ensemble for Contemporary Music in Florence.

Sara has given the world premieres of a large number of works and is the dedicatee of works for solo flute by many contemporary composers, including Jonathan Cole, Alessandro Solbiati and Edward Cowie. She is also a recipient of a Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust grant for the commission of a new piece by Richard Causton.

Please do not miss this opportunity to hear these two outstanding musicians perform.

The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 14 April from 8pm (tickets on the door: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.

A new monthly litter picking event has been launched to help keep Jubilee Pond and the surrounding area on Wanstead Flats tidy.

“I have been litter picking here for nearly a year and neighbours have started to tag along, so we thought we should extend the invitation. Join us on the second Saturday of each month to help keep this side of the Flats clean, safe and enjoyable for all,” said organiser Fleur Gatineau.

The next event will take place on 11 April from 10am to 12 noon (meet between Dames Road Playground and Jubilee Pond).

With a recent outbreak of bird flu in the Docklands, local swan rescue volunteer Gill Walker encourages residents to follow simple safety precautions while continuing to feed our feathered friends

There have been confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in some parts of England. Since the threat of bird flu seems to be getting higher and nearer, it may be the right time to remind ourselves about health and safety measures we can all take whilst visiting, feeding and enjoying our local swans, geese and ducks.

As bird flu is transferred through contaminated bodily fluids secreted from the beak and nostrils and is found in droppings, do not feed wild birds by hand. But please do keep feeding the correct, healthy foods to keep the birds fit and their immune systems strong. Feeding will also stop birds from moving to new locations in search of food and potentially spreading the disease. Grain, oats, peas, sweetcorn, swan pellets and brown bread are suitable. Put food in shallow water or use floating food in deeper water. Do not put food on the ground where the birds will be in direct contact with each other’s saliva, mucus and faeces.

Contaminated droppings can be spread on footwear, wheels, walking-stick ends and food containers, so disinfect anything that has been in contact with the ground where you visit waterbirds after each and every visit, and, of course, clean your hands. I recommend plastic-free Safe4 disinfectant and hand wipes, which are DEFRA approved as effective against the bird flu virus.

Please keep dogs out of the water and on a lead near waterbirds to avoid contact with any sick or dead birds.

If a bird is infected, swans, juveniles and cygnets will be lethargic, sleepy and may not want to feed. They will likely be on their own and show signs of a droopy neck and glazed eyes. Swans frequently present with neurological signs, including head shaking, twisting of the neck and swimming or walking in circles, and breathing distress, such as a gaping beak, coughing and gurgling. Other species of ducks and geese may show minimal clinical signs of the virus.

Many smaller wild birds can carry the virus without showing symptoms. So, if you feed garden birds, remember to clean your feeders weekly with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Rotate feeding spots to prevent the build-up of droppings in one area and keep water sources fresh and clean.

These precautions can help to prevent the spread of the virus. But please also remember not all birds that look or seem unwell have Avian Influenza. They may have been in a flying accident, a territorial fight, suffered a fishing-related injury or may be unwell for another reason. As always, please call me if you are concerned about the welfare of any local waterbird.

To report an injured or sick swan or other waterbird, call 07970 404 866

A newsletter charting construction work on Evergreen Field is available to view online.

A four-storey development, including a children’s nursery and 24 flats, is being built on the Wanstead High Street site.

“Foundations were poured in March and April’s tasks will be focused on groundworks and infrastructure,” said a spokesperson for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association.

The scheme also includes the creation of a new landscaped area, which will be incorporated into Christ Church Green.

Visit wnstd.com/efnews

A series of bluebell information boards have been installed outside the Temple in Wanstead Park.

“Wild, native English Bluebells have been with us since just after the Ice Age, but are in danger, so we must do all we can to cherish them… Did you know that folklore tells us that a child tiptoeing through the bluebells will get taken by the fairy folk? It’s probably a hidden warning because bluebells are highly poisonous to people, horses and dogs!” said local artist Verity Watkins, who created the display to entertain and educate.

The project is sponsored by local estate agents Petty Son & Prestwich.

Ahead of a talk for the Wanstead Historical Society about local women of note, Lynn Haseldine Jones reflects on the life of Margaret Meekings Johnson OBE (1875–1940)

Although March was the month of International Women’s Day, I shall be marking the occasion in April by giving a talk for Wanstead Historical Society on ‘Women of Note of Wanstead and Woodford’.

This area has been the birthplace, home or working place of many women of note, and my talk will include a wide range of personalities, from teachers, philanthropists, artists and writers to businesswomen and church figures. I have tried to mix the well-known with the not-so famous, but all have made a considerable contribution to the community, whether it be at a local, national or even international level.

One woman of note of Wanstead was Margaret Meekings Johnson, who was born in West Ham in 1875. She was the daughter of industrialist Samuel Henry Johnson, whose company was SH Johnson of Carpenters Road, Stratford. The family originally lived at West Ham Hall, in Sebert Road, Forest Gate. The house was required for railway expansion, and this necessitated a move for the Johnson family. They acquired at auction in 1890 Warren Hill House in Manor Road, Loughton.

Following Samuel’s death in 1909, his widow Annie and her daughter, Margaret, moved to Vale Grove, which was situated on Loughton High Road. This is where Annie died in 1919. After her mother’s death, Margaret chose to move to Wanstead, where she lived at a property she called West Ham Hall. She bought this at auction in 1920. The house was built in 1914 by architect Charles Living of Stratford and was called Ronceval. She renamed it West Ham Hall, after the family home in Forest Gate, which had been demolished by then. The house is still on The Green in Wanstead, but is now, confusingly, called Wanstead House, although it has no relationship with the Wanstead House demolished in the 1820s. The building is now used as a community centre, and although it is called Wanstead House, the railings include a gate which still displays the name West Ham Hall.

Margaret was appointed OBE in 1936 for public services in Essex. She donated £10 to the Westminster Abbey Fund in 1920 and was present at the consecration of the new Church of St Andrew’s Ilford on Saturday 31 May 1924.

Miss Margaret Meekings Johnson OBE of West Ham Hall, Wanstead died on 30 December 1940. She left, among other bequests, £2,000 consols to Christ Church, Stratford, £500 to Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End, Stratford and £250 to her secretary and friend, Ethel Watts.

Margaret is only one of many women I shall be discussing at this event.

Lynn’s talk will take place at Wanstead Library on 13 April from 8pm (visitors: £4). For more information, call 07949 026 212

Alan Coppin, caretaker at Hermitage Court in Snaresbrook, was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“In November 2025, Hermitage Court resident Tony Walsh collapsed in his kitchen due to a sudden heart attack. His partner froze, not sure what to do or who to turn to. She screamed for help and Alan responded. He rushed in, called 999 and was guided through his first CPR by the operator. Alan’s CPR saved Tony’s life. An angel, a hero, we are all so grateful,” said an event spokesperson.

Aldersbrook resident Carol Curtis was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“Since 2020, Carol has been a mainstay of the Tin in a Bin foodbank charity, collecting donations from the drop-off points several times a week. She assists with sorting, collation and dispatch of foodstuffs… Carol has also raised thousands of pounds for various charities by running stalls at fetes and jumble sales and is principal organiser of St Gabriel’s annual charity coffee morning,” said an event spokesperson.

Age UK’s Wanstead Activity Centre was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“The centre would not be able to run without its amazing volunteers. The centre provides activities and hot lunches for people over 55 years, Monday to Friday. Every day, there are two volunteers working at the front of house… Volunteers also run some of the classes, art, knitting, chess, bridge and a book club and IT support. The volunteers have created a family atmosphere,” said an event spokesperson.

Local police officer Harinder Sanghara was honoured at the Redbridge Mayor’s Community Awards last month.

“In his time as an officer for Wanstead Village, Harinder has overseen an increase in visibility of local police on the High Street… and contributed to a significant reduction in crime in the local area. He also demonstrated impressive bravery when he tackled a criminal whilst off duty in Gants Hill. Unfortunately, he was stabbed during the incident and is currently off work recovering,” said an event spokesperson.

A carpet of native English bluebells will once again return to Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park this month.

“We remind visitors to please keep to the designated pathways through Chalet Wood and take care not to step on these precious flowers… As with any wildflowers in Epping Forest, please do not pick the bluebells,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation.

The park’s bluebells have gradually spread over the years, thanks to Wren Wildlife Group volunteers, who maintain the pathways that protect the delicate plants.

Submit a question for the hustings:

The Epping Forest Outdoor Group will be holding a quiz night in Snaresbrook this month.

“The group has been in existence for over 70 years. We meet weekly to socialise, maybe with a talk or a variety of other activities, and to plan our weekend walks, cycle rides and visits to places of interest,” said Trevor Eley. The quiz – which is open to non-members – will take place at the Rovsco Scout hall on 11 April from 7.30pm (£8 per person).

Call 07545 201 705

In the 15th of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish reflects on the beauty of impermanence, the value of the real and why genuine human creativity still matters in an artificial age

April thoughts turn to welcome signs of spring and new life. Staring out at a February garden enveloped in five degrees of chilly rain and wind, it can be hard to remember what it feels like to venture out in April with the trowel or to crank the lawnmower into action, just as in the middle of summer it feels like the heat will last forever.

Not much does last forever, of course. That is a big part of the beauty of creation, and that fragility and impermanence looms large in the human psyche because we are ourselves impermanent beings, just here for a season. Why do we give real flowers when we know they will be dead and gone in a couple of weeks? Surely, it would be far more sensible to give plastic ones, which would last indefinitely? Sensible maybe, but somehow not as loving, nor as human. Impermanence makes real things special. We like to enjoy things before they are gone, and if we think something is here forever, we tend to take it rather for granted. ‘Real’ doesn’t always last forever, but it is still best in our eyes.

Telling the difference between fake and real is a hot topic right now. How many times do we see videos we suspect to be generated by AI? This wretched technology, which nobody asked for, and which threatens to spell the ruin of so much that is good and original in human thought and creativity, seems now to pervade depressing amounts of our experience. Just like the little plastic particles now inside us all, artificial intelligence seems to invade all our worlds, dumbing down much it touches to utter dross. I genuinely feel glad to have been brought up in a childhood where reading a book could be absorbing, where learning new things gained me originality and awareness, and where growing up to use my skills earned me a living. Will these simple markers of human dignity even exist in our next generation? Or will we all just be passive consumers of computer-generated rubbish?

We do still have a choice as humans. Do we accept the forgery of life that is being offered to us by these new technologies, or do we reject them where at all possible in favour of actual, real and beautiful human intelligence and imagination? You won’t be surprised to learn that I didn’t ask Chat GPT to answer that question! As a Christian, I believe humanity is flawed, but I also know there to be dignity and self-respect in being ‘really’ human: in relating to others, sharing our thoughts and our creativity, and in being part of a real society away from our screens. For me personally, church is a big part of that, and none more so than in the journey through Holy Week. The new life celebrated at Easter may be spiritual, but it can also be natural; we can see it literally blooming before our eyes. Let us never be so dimmed to its beauty that we forget to celebrate the real.

To contact Reverend James Gilder, email office@parishofwanstead.org