August 2026

From ugly hoardings to community attraction, Donna Mizzi reflects on the difference art has made at the Evergreen Field construction site

An unusual tree has popped up along the edge of Wanstead’s Christ Church Green – an oak adorned with artwork. Art Group Wanstead (AGW) members seized the opportunity to help beautify the hoarding fence surrounding the Evergreen Field, during construction work.

A wide range of artwork has been included in the branches, including subjects inspired by Wanstead such as landmarks, local scenes and a portrait of the area’s former MP, Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Members with their work displayed range from professional artists to keen adult amateurs of all ages, including an artist in her 90s and a remarkable member who learned to paint with her other hand following a stroke.

Graphic designer Fiona Eastmond sifted though all the artworks submitted while Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society member Arnie Göbel photographed the artwork to the high quality required for this special project.

The oak was chosen as a popular local symbol and as a natural edging for the popular open green space. And it is also the symbol for Wanstead House community centre, this year celebrating its 80th anniversary. The centre is used for many local art classes, art groups and for some AGW meetings.

AGW also put forward historical facts relating directly to Wanstead’s outstanding figures of the past, to contribute to some of the other work on the hoarding. These were kindly checked by Wanstead Historical Society, led by one of our local living treasures, Pearly Queen Doreen Golding. Details about the other works on the hoarding are being planned for future editions of the Wanstead Village Directory.

All those involved have succeeded in turning a building site into a beauty sight. The greatest delight comes from seeing passers-by looking surprised, then stopping and enjoying the art.

It’s difficult to find public spaces for showing local artists’ work, particularly for any length of time. The art tree is likely to stay up until at least autumn 2027 while the four-storey flats and children’s nursery are being constructed on the site.

We must also thank Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association for paying to reproduce the art tree for the hoarding.

1 Donna Mizzi / 2 Bernie Clarkson / 3 Carin Wright / 4 Marie Christie 5 Francesca Jaggs / 6 Teresa Witz / 7 Gill Farr / 8 Arnie Göbel 9 Elly Davies / 10 Sonia Cudd / 11 Lena Coombs-O’Brien 12 Janice Elgin / 13 Bernie Clarkson / 14 Arnie Göbel 15 Gina Wade / 16 Wiz Mansi / 17 Madeline Wong / 18 Janet Silver 19 Peter Cartwright / 20 Alison Stenhouse / 21 Carin Wright / 22 Donna Mizzi / 23 Alison Stenhouse / 24 Bal Ghataore

For more information on the artwork, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com

Residents are invited to take part in a new artist trading card initiative.

“Artist trading cards are a huge creative trend in America, which has now arrived in Wanstead! Draw, paint or collage on a piece of card 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, add your name or business details on the back and drop it off at The Barrel Boulangerie (151 High Street),” said an Art Group Wanstead spokesperson.

The cards will be displayed at the Wanstead Festival and at a meet-and-swap event as part of an exhibition at The George and Dragon on 22 September.

Councillor Sue Whitehead outlines her efforts to protect Wanstead High Street’s character and encourages residents and businesses to share their ideas for future community-led improvements

Last year, my day job working for a health regulator took me to town centres and high streets across the country. Seeing so many different places gave me a renewed appreciation for what we have here in Wanstead. Time and again, I returned home grateful for our High Street: a welcoming and well-loved place local people actively support and cherish.

In challenging times for retailers, we need to look after what we’ve got. As a Green Party councillor, I believe shopping locally and supporting independent businesses is one of the best things we can do for both our community and the environment. I was elected on a promise to protect our High Street, and I fully intend to do that. Here are some of the issues I’ve been working on since being elected in May.

Campaigning against a third digital advertising screen
I was pleased planning officers refused an application to replace the old phone box outside City Place with a digital advertising screen, citing concerns about its impact on the Conservation Area. The applicant may still appeal and, should that happen, I will continue to represent residents’ views on why the proposal is not a suitable fit for Wanstead.

Review of the parklet
The parklet – providing seating, cycle storage and planting – was installed in 2021, replacing four parking spaces. Many residents have recently raised concerns about its condition, with worn decking and planting areas that are no longer serving their intended purpose. Officers have advised that its future is under review, and I’ve passed on suggestions from residents, including replacing it with disabled parking bays or EV charging spaces.

Pink lamp post banners
Earlier this year, pink advertising banners appeared on lamp posts outside Snaresbrook Station. I raised concerns that they were out of keeping with the character of the Conservation Area. The banners have since been removed (I am trying to find out if this is a permanent removal) and I will provide a further update when I know more. The decision to have banners was made in 2023.

Permanent market stalls
Last year, eight market stall pitches were identified along the High Street. To date, all applications have been declined and there are currently no active proposals.

I am mindful that much of this update has focused on developments I feel are not the right fit for Wanstead. However, over the coming months, I hope to work with residents, businesses and community groups on ideas for what we do want to see: initiatives that can strengthen the High Street’s unique character. Helping our High Street thrive for the future is just as important as protecting it today.

Sue Whitehead is a Green Party councillor for Wanstead Village. Email sue.whitehead@redbridge.gov.uk

The grazing area for Wanstead Park’s three English Longhorn cows has been extended.

“We are hoping Nuru, Taylor and Veronica will graze not only the areas of grass we normally mow, but also the bramble in the woodland too. This picture shows the area they have previously been restricted to in green; each dot represents a location recorded by their GPS collars… The extended area is shown in orange,” said a City of London Corporation spokesperson.

The cows can be tracked online. Visit wnstd.com/cowtracker

Key dates for next month’s Wanstead Fringe have been announced.

Now in its 14th year, the annual celebration of culture will see the return of the Eve-of-Fringe Charivari on 4 September, with The Duke street party the following day. The ever-popular open-air Kinema will take place on 12 September, family book day on 19 September and the Wanstead jumble trail on 26 September.

Last year’s Fringe – which is coordinated by volunteers – featured over 100 events with some 4,000 tickets sold.

Visit wnstd.com/fringe

The River Roding often feels overlooked, but a recent meeting in Parliament gave it the attention it deserves, says Councillor Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods

In July, Ilford South MP Jas Athwal hosted a meeting on pollution in the Roding, bringing together key representatives. Paul Powlesland from the River Roding Trust presented compelling evidence of pollution linked to sewage outfalls. Thames Water and the Environment Agency (EA) were asked to provide updates on how they are tackling the problem.

I first raised concerns about sewage pollution with Thames Water more than five years ago, alongside Jas Athwal when he was Leader of Redbridge Council. Both of us expressed our disappointment that so little progress has been made since then. One illegal outfall on the Alders Brook has been addressed following investment by Thames Water, but the River Roding Trust has identified a number of other sewage spills that still require action. Thames Water told the meeting it is developing plans to reduce the duration of sewage spills by 50% by 2030, with further improvements dependent on future funding.

The company also confirmed there are 30 sewage outfalls in the area, of which 12 have permits and 18 have permit applications pending. It’s disappointing the EA appears willing to issue further permits rather than prioritising enforcement action. Granting additional permits risks legitimising an unacceptable practice that is incredibly harmful to rivers, wildlife and people, something local residents are increasingly concerned about. The EA confirmed it is preparing enforcement action relating to one outfall, which we believe is the site fixed last year.

We also discussed the issue of misconnections, where appliances are incorrectly connected to the clean water drainage system, rather than the foul sewer network. Thames Water has been monitoring a number of locations to identify these problems, which are likely to be contributing to pollution. However, only a small number of cases have been passed to the council for enforcement. We are keen to work more closely with Thames Water to identify these issues more quickly.

The council has also committed £3m to improving water quality in local lakes, many of which are connected to the Roding. This funding has enabled the removal of silt from three lakes and the installation of aeration equipment to improve water quality, as well as tackling pollution at Fairlop and exploring nature-based solutions such as opening up a buried stream to improve natural filtration.

I will continue pressing Thames Water and the EA for stronger action. The involvement of MPs is welcome because we need improvements to the governance of water companies to ensure they stop polluting our rivers.

Jo Blackman is a Labour Party councillor for Wanstead Village. Email jo.blackman@redbridge.gov.uk

For more information on the Roding, visit wnstd.com/riverroding

Entries are invited for this year’s Redbridge Photography Awards.

“Our borough is home to some of the country’s most stunning parks, striking architecture and vibrant communities, and we want to see them through your lens,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Participants can submit photos in four categories: Redbridge Pets, Redbridge Heroes, Redbridge Places and Redbridge Nature (closing date: 21 August). Winning images will be displayed at Redbridge Central Library.

Visit wnstd.com/rpa26

Wanstead’s Green Party councillors will begin hosting monthly advice surgeries from 19 September.

Sessions will run from 10.30am to 11.30am, with the venue alternating between St Gabriel’s Church in Aldersbrook and the Cherry Tree Cafe in Wanstead (25 Woodbine Place). Labour councillors hold their surgeries on the second and fourth Saturday of the month (excluding  August) at the Alan Burgess Centre.

Visit wnstd.com/cllrs

Local men’s mental health advocate Simon Matthews shares his journey of trauma and recovery while campaigning for greater suicide prevention funding through his Simon Says It’s OK support group

I’m a firm believer that hurt people can hurt people, as they have untreated trauma. And healed people can heal people because they have worked with the tools given to them by professionals that make them understand how to control emotions.

My name is Simon Matthews and I’m a local advocate for men’s mental health. I also aim to create awareness around suicide prevention and misandry. I first started Simon Says It’s OK during the covid pandemic. I was homeless. I lost my job because I refused to have the vaccine for personal reasons. I was alone a lot of the time and didn’t have the support I needed, so I turned to social media to promote the fact we need more awareness and funding across the UK for NHS mental health services.

I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD, ADHD, EUPD and traits of bipolar. I’ve since completed three years of talking therapy, which includes CBT and DBT. I’m currently waiting on ADHD treatment, which is around 12 months away. There are over two million people on waiting lists for treatment for mental health conditions on the NHS nationwide. It’s taken me around half my life to get onto the correct medication to keep me stable. Currently, the UK has funding of around £5m per year for suicide prevention. What they fail to mention is men are up to four times more likely to take their lives than women, and it’s the number one cause of death for men under the age of 50 worldwide.

I’ve been in and out of the NHS mental health services since my early twenties, and I’m now 40. The process is long, repetitive and sometimes feels like you’re being forgotten. What I have noticed is you have to be patient and keep fighting. Unfortunately for some people, this is not the case. For some, there is only one way out. This is why I’ve started the first petition in history to bring awareness and attention to the fact we have a suicide crisis on our hands; around 80 men a week are just not here anymore, and the government must increase nationwide funding immediately to around £20m per year. So, please take a few minutes of your day to sign my petition if you believe everyone deserves help. I am also accepting donations to help promote this petition via online advertisements.

I’m also considering putting on some local awareness events next year and I’m looking for like-minded people to join me and help in any way possible. If I can prevent anyone from ending their life, then I will have achieved something huge, and I believe I can do this with your help. Thank you all for your support.

To view Simon’s suicide prevention petition, visit wnstd.com/simonsays

For more information, email simonsays_itsok@hotmail.com