In the fifth of a series of articles, Susan Allison reflects on a 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
The September 2024 Wanstead Festival saw the first stitches made in the Community Kneeler, one of 40-plus produced over the following 12 months. Stitched by numerous members of the community and celebrating the diversity of people and experiences in our village, the kneelers were presented to the church in October 2025. We are now preparing a celebration event to mark the formal end of the project, which will be at this year’s Wanstead Festival on 13 September 2026.
Here are more details of two of the events mentioned in last month’s issue. Firstly, the ‘Kneeler Cake’ competition, which is open to anyone. Bring any oblong cake/tray-bake (bought or home-made) to Christ Church before noon on the day of the festival. Your entry should be decorated to look like a kneeler (actual or imagined). Throughout the afternoon, visitors will vote for their favourite design, with the winner receiving a small bouquet. You can also choose to offer your cake for sale by silent auction, with proceeds going to the Inspire Wanstead fund.
Secondly, do join us in the church (time to be confirmed) for our ‘Come and Sing’ all-voices-all-ages welcome session to learn the joyous Kneelers song written especially for the project by Tina Lloyd-Morris. No musical experience or talent required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to have a go. Tina was inspired to write the song after hearing the stories behind the kneelers.
Cow and Calf
Dedicated to: Christ Church
Sewn by: Members of the Nightingale Lane and Green WhatsApp Group
At the end of the Victorian age, the 18th century cottages at Mobs Hole – a forest-side hamlet later called Nightingale Green – were developed and a run of Edwardian cottages were built opposite the United Reformed Church. Behind them was a dairy (later a printers and now maisonettes). From the 1700s, cattle were driven from all over the country to the London meat market. Wanstead Flats became a prime site for ‘finishing’ cattle before their final journey to Smithfield. The natural springs and rich grass around Nightingale Green made this both a grazing area and resting point on that journey, as well as a place where cows would be brought in from Epping Forest for milking. Many residents of Wanstead have memories of cows wandering along the streets, so in honour of the dairies, the farms, the Forest and the cows, this design was chosen. Stitchers include Suzanne Bond, Susan Allison, Paula Medland, Lewis Bond and residents of Westleigh Court.
Honey Bee
Dedicated to: Beekeepers and bees of Wanstead
Sewn by: Sarah Davies
As a member of the Epping Forest Beekeepers Association, I have been learning the art of beekeeping for a few years, with my bee colonies living in a local apiary in Wanstead.
I wanted to combine two hobbies of mine – beekeeping and sewing – in this kneeler.
I hope both traditional and rewarding skills continue to thrive in this community for many generations to come.
For more information on the project and the event on 13 September, email kneelers4cc@gmail.com
