News

Residents are invited to get into the spirit of Christmas with a series of festive events in Wanstead Park on 22 December. “Wrap up warm and gather at the tea hut at 10am to enjoy a slice of cake and something warming. Join in the carols, accompanied by the glorious sounds of Aldersbrook Brass Ensemble echoing across the Heronry Pond,” said event organiser Gill James. From 11am to 2.30pm, families are encouraged to continue the seasonal celebrations at the Temple. “Children can enjoy stories and Christmas crafts, and everyone can listen to folk music and ceilidh band Storm in a Teacup and local musicians Cliff Oliver and David Thornett playing seasonal melodies on the keyboard. The surprise performance will be a 15-minute Christmas carol.” All events are free, with donations to Shelter and Friends of Wanstead Parklands....

Redbridge Council will begin consulting residents next month about plans to roll out the Low Emission Neighbourhood proposals in the local area. “The area covered will encompass most of Wanstead, bringing changes to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use. The new scheme will also see measures to lower speeds, cut rat runs and reduce the levels of pollution… Make sure you have your say in creating the low emission Wanstead of the future,” said Councillor Paul Donovan. Click here to view current council consultations....

Saint Francis Hospice is in need of more volunteer drivers from the Wanstead area to chauffeur patients to and from the hospice grounds. “As a volunteer driver, you’ll be helping fight isolation and loneliness among people living with life-limiting illnesses. You’ll also be sparing them the difficulties of driving or using public transport,” said a spokesperson for the Romford-based hospice, which provides care to people across Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Brentwood. Call 01708 753 319...

Wanstead Library will host a Christmas rhyme time session for children under five this month. “Come along to this extra special festive rhyme time with a special visit from Santa. Enjoy rhymes, songs and stories with your child and meet other parents and children,” said a library spokesperson. The event will take place on 18 December from 2pm to 2.30pm (free). Regular rhyme time events take place at Wanstead Library on Wednesdays (2pm to 2.30pm) and Fridays (11am to 11.30am). Call 020 8708 7400...

A homeless shelter will launch at Christ Church hall next month. Open every Tuesday night from 7 January until the end of March, the project is a partnership with the Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelters. Wanstead Parish is hoping to raise £10,000 to cover the costs of the shelter, including adapting the hall kitchen and buying new sleeping bags. “It is a disgrace that homeless people are still dying on our streets. This shelter is a small but important step to address this,” said Rev Jack Dunn. Visit wnstd.com/shelter...

Local resident Frank Charles is seeking donations of new toys or books for his annual Christmas visit to Acorn Children’s Ward at Whipps Cross Hospital. “The presents will go to children aged zero to 16 years who will be in hospital over the festive period and beyond, with this being the 15th consecutive year that I have delivered toys there,” said Frank, who founded the Frank Charles Give A Gift Appeal in 2004. Donations can be left at Wanstead Pharmacy, 75–77 High Street, up until 5pm on 20 December. Visit frankcharles.org.uk...

Redbridge Council is rolling out cycle hangars across the borough. “The response from residents so far has been very positive, with the vast majority looking forward to having somewhere safe to put their bikes. In neighbouring boroughs, hangars have proved popular and helped foster a cycling culture – hopefully, the same will happen in Redbridge,” said Councillor Paul Donovan. “If you are interested in having a hangar close to where you live, please get in touch.” Email jack.redman@redbridge.gov.uk...

At the start of 2019, members of the Wren Wildlife Group set themselves a challenge to find 300 species of moths and butterflies in the local area, including Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park. “It has proved to be the best year on record, locally, with 308 species of moths and 27 butterflies at the time of writing. About 20 of the moths have not been recorded previously in the local area, although some expected species have clearly suffered as a result of the fire damage on the Flats last year,” said Tim Harris. Visit wrengroup.org.uk...

A performance of The Snowman soundtrack by Redbridge Brass Band will accompany a local screening of the festive film this month. “That magical sound of a brass band is something many associate with Christmas. It conjures up the aroma of hot chestnuts, tinsel, fairy-lights, carols and, of course, Christmas shopping trips,” said band member Dave Wallace. Three performances will take place at St Gabriel’s Church in Aldersbrook on 14 December (3pm, 5pm and 7pm; adults: £12; under-15s: £6; under-2s: free). Visit wnstd.com/snowman...

Redbridge Council’s next West Neighbourhood Local Forum – which was scheduled for 12 December – has been postponed because of the General Election. The next round of local forums will resume in January. “We are identifying venues for these meetings. Please check back in the coming weeks for updated information,” said a council spokesperson. The forums provide opportunities for residents to work with officers and councillors to find solutions to local issues. Visit wnstd.com/forum...

Wanstead’s local councillors will hold two advice surgeries this month (instead of the usual four). Wanstead Park ward representatives – Councillors Sheila Bain and Paul Merry – will be available to meet residents at the Allan Burgess Centre on 7 December from 10am to 11am. Wanstead Village ward representatives – Councillors Paul Donovan, Jo Blackman and Daniel Morgan-Thomas – will hold their session in the vestry of Christ Church on 14 December from 10am to 11am. Visit wnstd.com/councillors...

The organiser of Wanstead’s Remembrance commemorations – which once again saw large crowds gather at the war memorial earlier this month – has insisted the tradition will continue. “There have been suggestions that it should no longer happen, that after 100 years society should ‘move on’… Each to their own view, but I believe our history teaches us a valuable lesson and so I personally pledge to you all that so long as I’m alive, Wanstead will always have its Remembrance commemoration,” said Colin Cronin....