Features

In March, lockdown forced The Music School on the High Street to close for the first time in 18 years. As the school prepares to reopen, Liliana Dimovska explains why children and adults alike should listen up

Redbridge Cycling is keen to hear your feedback on proposals to open new cycle routes through Wanstead Park. Gill James and Haydn Powell report on an often contentious subject

When Darrell Toakley resurrected the name of ‘Truffles’ to add to his travel agency in the High Street – which now sells chocolates as well as holidays – he asked Dr Colin Runeckles to look into the building’s history

As Wanstead Parish churches prepare to take part in a covid-secure Open House weekend, Penelope Garlick invites you to share memories of Christ Church and St Mary’s, and to submit your ideas for their future

With Art Trail Wanstead taking a year off, we invited local artist Christopher Thomas to present one of his paintings here instead

With Art Trail Wanstead taking a year off, we invited local artist Jola Spytkowska to present her work here instead, including her lockdown-revamped garden shed

Marian Temple offers her thanks to the diverse range of local businesses which have all supported the work of the Wanstead Community Gardeners – from watering to welding

When Wanstead residents get fed up with something unsightly in their neighbourhood, they do something about it. It’s the power of fed-uppery, as Marian Temple knows only too well. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

Vintage trader Karen Stuckey took over the running of Wanstead Vintage fairs earlier this year. Although her first event in May was a victim of lockdown, the new Wanstead Vintage era starts now

Kareem Cole from local solicitors Wiseman Lee takes a look at the importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney and planning for life in lockdown, especially for those who are more vulnerable

Woodford Town FC are confident the dream of a return to their home town will be realised by October, in time for the Essex Senior League season, says the club’s Technical Director Neil Day

In the fifth of a series of articles looking at the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital, Charlotte Monro reflects on a recent public meeting and expresses concern over plans for 51 fewer beds Work towards the new Whipps Cross Hospital is advancing apace with the architect team in the process of being appointed. A public meeting hosted by Waltham Forest Save Our NHS (WFSONHS) at the end of July demonstrated our communities’ determination that the new hospital must be designed to meet our needs in the future. Alarm that the latest plans are for 51 fewer beds than now – despite the area having the fastest-growing population in London – has led to the launch of a community-wide campaign. People found the meeting informative and inspiring. Enthusiastic discussion followed the three speakers. Residents spoke of the reality on the ground: 8,000 more people moving into new developments in Leabridge ward, which is already 10 GPs short and has no health centre. And housing for staff on the Whipps site; public transport – sufficient and green – and genuine consultation were all raised. People are eager to act. John Cryer MP spoke first: “We can’t be in a position where we...