May 2026

The Wanstead Community Gardeners have expanded their social media activity, inviting residents to follow their work at various flowering locations around Wanstead.

“Alongside our usual beautiful photos of the patches and gardens we work on, new features now include ‘plant of the moment’, showcasing stand-out seasonal plants in bloom, ‘volunteer spotlight’, highlighting the people behind the community effort and ‘historic plants of Wanstead’, exploring the stories behind some of the area’s flora,” said a spokesperson. Posting on Facebook and Instagram, the group will also be placing greater emphasis on practical gardening advice, sharing tips followers can use in their own gardens. “We’re posting most days. There is so much going on, there’s always something new to see!” The group holds regular working parties and welcomes new volunteers of all experience levels.

Visit wnstd.com/wcg

Afterlives Art Festival will encourage discussions about death, dying and end-of-life choices at Wanstead Library this month. Vision RCL’s Culture and Library Development Manager Samantha Goodey reports

Afterlives Art Festival is backed by Arts Council England and uses creativity and storytelling to open up conversations about death, dying and end-of-life choices. Bringing death, art and community to libraries across England, the festival comes to Wanstead this month.

Afterlives is the culmination of nearly a decade of pioneering work. In 2017, Redbridge Library Service became the UK’s first Death Positive Library Service, using books, art, film, community events and speculative design installations to help residents engage openly with death and dying as a health and societal issue. Newcastle City Library joined the collaboration, extending the model from East London to the North East in 2019. And this year, Exeter also joins the line-up.

Libraries are uniquely placed to lead this work: unlike hospices or funeral providers, they carry no commercial or institutional stake in end-of-life decisions, making them rare spaces of genuine independence where communities can explore these questions freely. Together, the festival’s partner library services welcome more than 1.6m visitors each year, a scale of trusted public reach that no other cultural institution can match. Each area’s library will be transformed into a vibrant hub for the duration of the festival, reinventing the library as a space where books, art and human experience converge to make conversations about mortality feel natural and community-owned. The centrepiece of the festival is Immortelles, a spectacular, new public artwork from Moving Parts Arts, a Newcastle-based arts organisation, who will run community workshops at each location, inviting residents to contribute their own icons, treasures and symbols to the final installations, leaving a lasting legacy in each library.

Martin Solder, Chair of Vision Trustees, said: “We are incredibly proud that Vision Redbridge is part of bringing Afterlives to a national audience… We look forward to welcoming residents in June for what promises to be a powerful, thought-provoking and deeply human experience.”

The festival addresses a pressing national need to make talking about death, dying and grief much easier. Key highlights of the Wanstead programme include one-woman show Batman (Naomi’s Death Show), an award-winning interactive show by author and playwright Naomi Westerman, taking audiences on a funny, surprising and deeply human journey through our collective fascination with death, true crime and the power of grieving together. For film lovers, the Dead Good Film Club will be an opportunity to watch a film based on the festival themes and to engage in a lively discussion about the things we don’t always talk about. Expect fascinating conversation and fresh perspectives.

Afterlives Art Festival is free to attend and will take place at Wanstead Library on 4 June and Redbridge Central Library from 5 to 7 June. Visit wnstd.com/afterlives

Residents have expressed concern following tree clearance work at Wanstead Golf Club.

“We were shocked and angry to see the removal of a woodland copse and rich undergrowth on the golf course adjoining Overton Drive. Residents nearby now feel exposed, with protection from golf balls threatened, and the impact on wildlife will be huge,” said a local resident. Planning permission for a range of tree works on the golf course was granted last year.

The golf club has been approached for comment.

Redbridge Council has issued a statement in response to residents’ concerns. “The golf club has several permissions in place for tree works across the course. Council officers have visited and confirmed that the works currently taking place match one of the approved permissions. At this time, the council has no evidence that any unauthorised tree works are being carried out.”

Details of the approved works can be viewed on the council’s planning portal.

Visit wnstd.com/wgctrees

Wanstead Climate Action will host a community screening of People’s Emergency Briefing at Wanstead Library in June to explore what the growing risks of climate change could mean locally. Sunil Kapur reports

People’s Emergency Briefing is a film about the risks to British life from ongoing damage to nature and to our climate. The 50-minute film presents evidence from leading UK experts on climate science, food security, health and economic stability. It is about the direct impact of climate change on ordinary life – only last summer, there were wildfires on Wanstead Flats, which led to the call-out of 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines.  

This is a public information film that is urgent and clear, but also watchable! In it, naturalist and television presenter Chris Packham is joined by people from all walks of life, including well-known public figures like Jennifer Saunders and Deborah Meaden. Members of the public and celebrities discuss their concerns and hopes in a film which is both serious and uplifting. It’s eye-opening, Gogglebox-style science, but with normal people. “It’s not abstract. It’s not party political. And most importantly, it’s not bleak… I am so filled with hope after seeing just how many events have been lined up across the country. This really could be a tipping point,” said one viewer.

A majority of the UK population have consistently expressed they are concerned not enough is being done to address climate change. The film has been produced specifically for mainstream audiences. The initiative is non-partisan and supported by organisations including the Church of England, the National Trust, the UK Health Alliance and leading academic institutions.

Following the film, we will host a structured discussion on what this means locally. Calvin Bailey MBE, the local MP for Leyton and Wanstead, has confirmed he will attend, as will several councillors. We also expect local faith leaders to join us, as well as members of local medical services and business leaders.

The film illustrates the imminent threats of climate change. The UK could continue to respond “after the event” to every flood and wildfire. But if we take more proactive action now, the financial cost could be halved and millions of UK households spared the misery of flooding and other disasters.

Many assume that the costs of making the UK more resilient are astronomical, but in reality, the annual cost of proactive changes is £4bn per year. The UK remains the sixth-largest economy in the world and those sums are achievable if there is political will. This screening is part of a nationwide programme to engage citizens with their political representatives. With proper action, we could have a stronger economy, a more resilient country, better food security and a healthier population!

A screening of People’s Emergency Briefing will take place at Wanstead Library on 3 June from 7pm (free; booking required; over-16s only). Visit wnstd.com/peb

Plans have been submitted to redevelop the site of the Ark Fish Restaurant on Hermon Hill.

If approved, the current two-storey building will be extended to accommodate a supermarket on the ground floor. A third floor will also be added, with nine self-contained flats on the upper levels. A decision on the proposals is expected in June.

The restaurant first opened in September 2003 and went on to serve the local community for more than two decades before closing for good at the end of May.

Visit wnstd.com/arkplans

Two organised bike rides will depart from Wanstead Park next month.

A family-friendly ride to Ray Park in Woodford will depart from the Wanstead Park tea hut at 2pm on 7 June. A ride into central London and around Hyde Park – suitable for more experienced cyclists – will then take place on 14 June, departing at 10am. Both rides will be marshalled by members of Redbridge Cycling Campaign (free; booking required).

Visit wnstd.com/rcc

Wanstead Bowling Club and Wanstead Golf Club have entered into a new partnership.

“At a time when many bowling clubs face challenges, this collaboration highlights how community organisations can work together to secure a future. The partnership is already bringing benefits, including investment in facilities and plans to develop a high-quality bowling green,” said a spokesperson.

Now in its 104th year, the historic bowling club is located within the grounds of the golf club on Overton Drive.

Visit wnstd.com/bowling

Three English Longhorn cows returned to Wanstead Park earlier this month and, for the first time, they are being allowed to graze across the dried-out lakebed of Ornamental Water.

“It’s a powerful example of using nature itself to protect this historic landscape. It is critical to stop roots damaging the banks and islands while we tackle the long-term challenges affecting the park’s 300-year-old water system,” said Caroline Haines, Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee.

Visitors are asked to stay off the lakebed.

Volunteers assisted the City of London Corporation in clearing 20 bags of rubbish from Snaresbrook’s Eagle Pond earlier this month.

“This community litter pick in the pond and the surrounding forest land was eye-opening and a reminder of how much litter still exists. It was a really rewarding day. The volume of rubbish we collected shows how much of a positive environmental impact initiatives like this can have, helping preserve our precious environments for communities and wildlife alike,” said local resident Katriye Ibrahim.

As social media use grows, media law is no longer just for the rich and famous. It now touches everyday life, says Alex Cochrane of local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash

Media law is often perceived to be the preserve of the rich and famous, of celebrities, sports stars and royalty. For example, Prince Harry has been involved in high-profile litigation against several English newspaper groups. However, such a perception is misplaced. Media law plays a part in all our lives, particularly with the widespread use of social media. The main areas of media law that permeate our daily lives are defamation, privacy and harassment.

Defamation is the communication of a false statement to a third party that causes or is likely to cause serious reputational harm. If you have been the target of false allegations on Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly Twitter), for example, or if your business has suffered similar treatment, for instance, in online reviews, you may be able to use defamation laws to protect yourself. If the statement published is false, it identifies you (you do not need to be identified by name), and it has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to your reputation, then you would have an actionable claim in defamation. Although it may be distressing, it is imperative you do not delete the posts – take screenshots because this will be important evidence for your claim.

Misuse of private information is a legal cause of action that protects an individual’s right to protect their personal information. It covers the unauthorised publication of private information where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Examples of private information include medical records, personal photographs and private correspondence. If, for instance, following the breakdown of a relationship, your former partner shares or publishes photographs of you of an intimate nature (which you may have previously exchanged consensually), that would amount to a serious misuse of your private information. This is sometimes referred to as ‘image-based abuse’, or ‘revenge porn’. Such conduct can also give rise to criminal offences.

Harassment is unwanted, unwelcome and uninvited behaviour – which can be verbal, physical or online – that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. It involves a pattern of behaviour, or ‘course of conduct’, which causes distress, fear or alarm. Common examples of harassment include unwanted communications (such as repeated phone calls or texts), physical conduct (such as unwelcome touching) and abusive messages on social media. If you are the victim of repeated and unwanted abuse which is causing you fear or distress, you may be able to use harassment laws to protect yourself. Harassment can give rise to civil claims, and if it is of a serious nature, can also amount to a criminal offence.

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 seventh of a series of articles featuring images by Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society members, Anuraj Theivendram looks at David Tyrrell’s award-winning work

Within the vibrant community of the Woodford & Wanstead Photographic Society (WWPS), few photographers embody quiet excellence quite like David Tyrrell. Long admired for his thoughtful compositions and calm, observant style, David has recently enjoyed a remarkable run of success, winning the club’s 2026 landscape and wildlife competitions. These achievements highlight not only his technical skill but also his instinct for capturing moments that feel both intimate and expansive.

David’s landscapes are shaped by atmosphere and emotion. Whether it’s mist drifting across rolling hills or the rhythmic symmetry of a lavender field at sunset, his images invite viewers into scenes that feel contemplative and immersive. His winning landscape entry exemplified this sensitivity, balancing light, structure and serenity with effortless clarity. His wildlife work carries the same quiet attentiveness. The award‑winning image of two monkeys poised together on a tree trunk, their expressions alert yet unguarded, reveals David’s ability to wait for the moment where behaviour and environment harmonise. Even in close‑up studies, such as his beautifully lit oyster mushrooms, he finds sculptural elegance in the natural world, elevating small details into striking visual stories.

Last year also saw David expand into astrophotography with a breathtaking Milky Way composition. Set above a ridge of silhouetted observatory domes, the night sky arcs across the frame in a luminous sweep of stars and cosmic dust. It’s an image that blends scientific curiosity with artistic vision, demonstrating David’s willingness to explore new techniques and push his creative boundaries.

As a long‑standing member of WWPS, David is deeply woven into the society’s culture of learning and shared growth. He values the constructive critique of competition nights and the camaraderie of club outings, where ideas, techniques and inspiration flow freely. His generosity to newer members reflects his belief that photography thrives when knowledge is shared.

Through his work and his presence within the society, David Tyrrell exemplifies the spirit of WWPS: a community where passion meets perspective, and where photography produces not just an image, but an invitation to feel.

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