News

Redbridge Council has suspended kerbside recycling collections and will now be collecting residents’ rubbish and recycling together.

A wild flower planting session took place on Christ Church Green earlier this month as part of the Wild Wanstead initiative, which is hoping to improve biodiversity in the area. “We know insects, pollinators and birds are vital to our ecosystem, but are under threat from urban living and use of pesticides. So schemes like this are crucial to provide much-needed habitats and will also enhance the beauty of our area. We look forward to seeing the wild flowers in bloom,” said Councillor Jo Blackman, who took part in the event....

Marie Curie volunteers are keen to thank local residents for their support following this month’s High Street collection for the Great Daffodil Appeal.

The installation of new nets at Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club has been completed. “We are now the proud owners of a four-lane, state-of-the-art training facility at Overton Drive. We are absolutely delighted… The nets will be locked and unavailable until a suitable time in April when the ground, hopefully, is drier, but they will be available for use in time for the start of what promises to be a very exciting 2020 season,” said a club chairman Martin Pluck. The work follows a £75k fundraising drive launched in February 2019....

Plans for the construction of a new public swimming pool at Wanstead High School are progressing. "Works are currently underway at Wanstead High to deliver temporary school accommodation and on-going access to the Multi-User Games Areas during the main school works. Once these current works have been completed, the school will decant into the new accommodation, allowing access to the main works contractor to undertake the programming for the demolition works. A preferred contractor has been identified for the main work, and we are currently concluding contracts. The contractor will be obliged, among other things, to meet a set of agreed ‘social value’ targets, which should include apprenticeship opportunities and construction vacancies for local people. There will be regular contact with residents in the immediate surrounding area throughout the project,” said Councillor Sheila Bain....

Redbridge Council has published it's waste and recycling arrangements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  "We are doing our best to maintain a weekly bin collection service. However, in order to do this, some other waste and recycling services have changed. Over the coming weeks our waste collections teams may have to operate a reduced service, as some key workers become ill or have to self-isolate," said a council spokesperson. The council have also warned they may be unable to keep household waste and recycling separate during these difficult times. Key changes: Collections will begin at the earlier time of 5am Recycling services may change Garden and bulky waste collections will be on-hold with immediate effect Bin and blue box deliveries for recycling, including collection from car parks, will stop If your rubbish collection is missed, it will be taken away on your next scheduled collection day All changes to council services because of coronavirus can be found here....

Redbridge Council has received ‘largely positive’ feedback from residents currently trialling wheelie bins for their household rubbish collection. “There are 1,530 properties taking part in the pilot in Wanstead. There is no specified length of time for the pilot while we monitor how it’s working, and resolve any issues,” said a spokesperson. The trial began in February and has seen 7,000 households across the borough receive a new 180-litre grey bin. “Wheelie bins will prevent animals from accessing waste and deters fly-tipping.”...

London City Airport has dropped plans to end its 24-hour weekend break (currently no aircraft take off or land between 12.30pm Saturday to 12.30pm Sunday). The airport has also abandoned plans to operate more early morning and late evening flights, as was proposed in its draft Master Plan. “I want to thank all of you who put so much time, effort and indeed money into campaigning against the expansion proposals,” said John Stewart of HACAN East. A review into the airport’s controversial flight paths – which include the airspace over Wanstead – continues....

Residents are urged to continue supporting Redbridge Foodbank, which has seen donations decline in the wake of coronavirus. “We are seeing much-needed donations fall dramatically as people start to stockpile. This is hitting vulnerable members of our community hard. Please do keep on giving – your support is really needed and makes a huge difference,” said Rev Dr Jack Dunn. In Wanstead, collection points are located at Christ Church, St Mary’s (Saturday mornings), Petty Son and Prestwich and the Co-op. Visit wnstd.com/foodbank...

WhatsApp groups have been established for Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park ward residents who wish to help their neighbours during the coronavirus pandemic. “I set up the Redbridge Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook group – from which the WhatsApp groups have spawned – after hearing about other borough’s coming together to support their residents. I am not very good at sitting around and worrying and I enjoy helping people, so I thought this would be a great initiative,” said Tanya Salinder. Visit wnstd.com/help...

These are extraordinary times, but we can all be thankful we are part of a community that cares.

For the first time since March 2006, our magazine will cease to be delivered door to door until further notice.