News

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.

Over-50s poetry group the Redbridge Rhymesters will be joined by Snaresbrook Primary School pupils on 24 March as they host a creative writing session at the Allan Burgess Centre with a theme of ‘The Four Seasons’. “Apart from the obvious summer, autumn, winter and spring ideas, I am hoping writers might come up with something about Frankie Valli, or even one of Vivaldi’s concertos. We shall see what imaginations are fired up,” said event organiser Alexandra Wilde. Visitors are welcome. Call 020 8989 6338...

Parents with too many children’s clothes and toys will have the chance to sell them to other local parents at NCT Redbridge’s nearly new sale at Christ Church hall on 25 April. Stallholders keep 70% of their sale prices, with the rest supporting the charity’s work. Seller registration opens to the general public on 9 March (cost: £5). “Keep an eye on our Facebook page so you don’t miss out when it goes live as seller spaces sold out within 24 hours for our November sale,” said a spokesperson. Visit wnstd.com/nct25april...

Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue invite those interested in Jewish culture to celebrate Purim on 9 March. “Purim is a festival marking the deliverance of the Jews of Persia from extermination 2,500 years ago… People eat triangular-shaped cakes filled with poppy seeds (Hamantashen), give each other small gifts of fruit and sweets and donate to charity. It is a really happy day!” said Martin Gaba. Celebrations will take place at 2 Fillebrook Road, Leytonstone from 6.30pm, followed by a party with live music. Call 07434 631 948...

The City of London Corporation is considering new proposals to host large-scale events at Wanstead Flats, Warlies Park and Chingford Plain. A similar plan was ditched last year following a community campaign and fears over the Flats’ fragile habitat, which is home to ground-nesting skylarks. “These proposals will be discussed by members at the Epping Forest and Commons Committee in March and a decision made in due course,” said a spokesperson. Income from any events would be used to help maintain Epping Forest....

Local wild flowers will be the subject of this month’s Aldersbrook Horticultural Society meeting. My talk will explain how historical records give clues about the native flowers that grew in the Wanstead area and their uses… I will suggest reasons why many wild flowers are under threat and how careful management of wild flower areas should be able to enhance local biodiversity,” said Tricia Moxey, whose presentation will take place at Aldersbrook Bowls Club on 10 March from 7.30pm (visitors: £5). Visit wnstd.com/ahs...

As part of last month’s National Apprenticeship Week, Eton Manor RFC hosted an apprenticeship and training fair, one of the first social and business partnered events of its kind in the borough. “With the help of local, national and global businesses, aspiring apprentices were introduced to a debt-free alternative to university and were able to discuss their career ambitions with future employers…” said event organiser Helen Gascoigne from training provider Aspire to Learn. The fair is set to return next year....

In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Redbridge Libraries will be working with local homeless organisations to supply their service users with much-needed support. From 2 to 7 March, Wanstead Library will join the rest of the borough in becoming a donation point for items for the homeless community. Residents are encouraged to ‘fill a bag with kindness’ and bring in toothpaste, shower gel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tissues, plasters, sanitary towels or tampons. Visit wnstd.com/kindnessbag...

A local knitting group has raised £900 for the Wanstead Night Shelter by selling the items they make. Social Knitworks, which meets Wednesday evenings at The Cuckfield, also celebrated their first anniversary last month. “Over the last 12 months, we have donated countless items to Whipps Cross Hospital for babies in need as well as cat blankets to the Celia Hammond Animal Trust. But our biggest achievement has to be raising nearly £900 for Wanstead’s Night Shelter,” said a group spokesperson. Visit wnstd.com/knit...