Features

The Friends of St Gabriel’s has invited local historian Jane Skelding to host an event exploring the history of the Aldersbrook and Lake House estates. Georgina Brewis finds out more

Wanstead House art tutor Karina Laymen has illustrated ‘grown-up’ children’s book Manny Motorcycle’s Miracle by Tricia Exman, aimed at anyone who has ever struggled to fit in

In the sixth of a series of articles featuring the images of local photographers who document the wildlife of Wanstead Park and the surrounding area, Diane Dalli presents her macro shot of a Batman Hoverfly

In the 33rd of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces the Morello Quartet, who will perform in Wanstead this month

Local resident Red Willow reflects on her ambition to encourage variety in cooking and eating, a seven-year adventure which has led to the publication of her vegetarian cookbook, inspired by the seasons

In the third of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish is seeking volunteers to help the homeless at this year’s night shelter initiative, and introduces a new mental health outreach project

As active members of the local community for many years, Ron and Doreen Coleman will be names familiar to many. Nick Park pays tribute to these stalwarts of Wanstead

During last month’s Fringe, Carole Edrich invited participants to sample the wines emblematic of her experience of cycling to every winery in Argentina. This month, her travelogue with a difference returns

Wanstead Park swan couple Bonnie and Clyde were separated over the summer following an incident in which Clyde broke his wing. Helen O’Rourke updates on the sad separation

The first-ever Wanstead Beer Festival is nearly upon us. If you haven’t got your ticket, get one now, says organiser Paul Donovan, who hopes the event will become an annual fixture

The Walthamstow Green Hopped Pale Ale will be one of the many beverages available at the Wanstead Beer Festival on 14 October, says organiser Paul Donovan

A botanical spectacle in an Aldersbrook front garden has been the cause of much excitement, says Alice Batsford, proud owner of the Aldersbrook Agave My husband, son and I (and now joined by our newborn daughter) moved to Aldersbrook just over a year ago, and the garden was one of the first things that caught our attention. The people who lived here before us were very green-fingered, especially when it came to growing more unusual, tropical plants.  The Agave in the front garden was impressive back then, but over the last few months has become a real spectacle in the area. Over the course of a week, it suddenly sprouted a spear and since then has grown progressively taller, now standing almost as high as the house with some large yellow flower heads.  Agaves are usually found in North and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Given the weather conditions of where they are usually grown, they are rare to see in the UK – especially in flower. They are monocarpic, meaning they only flower once in their lifetime (usually when they are between 15 and 20 years old) and will die after flowering. They are a distant relative of the asparagus family,...