News

Repairs taking place at Wanstead Park’s historic Temple are set to continue. “As well as painting, the contractors have carried out repairs to the columns and tympanum and repointed brickwork. But additional problems have been found, and the work will take longer than expected,” said the Friends of Wanstead Parklands. The work follows recent refurbishment of the toilets, which were in poor condition. CCTV has also been installed outside the building to deter vandalism and misuse. The Temple was built around 1760 by John, 2nd Earl Tylney of Castlemaine and originally housed a menagerie. It has since been used as accommodation for keepers and is now a visitor centre, open on the first full weekend of every month from 10am to 3pm. Call 020 7332 1911...

Four members of Wanstead Cricket Club's women's team will be representing England in the Indoor Cricket Masters World Series in South Africa next week. Saba Nasim, Natasha Bourke, Nanette Kritzinger and Jen Liu will be in Cape Town for the tournament, which runs from 19 to 26 October. "I am thrilled to be chosen to represent England in the indoor World Cup in Cape Town. I first started playing the indoor game in 2014 and it was a fun experience. The skills needed are different as it is fast paced and everyone has a part to play as each player has to bowl and bat in each game. I have learnt a lot about my indoor game this past year training with the more experienced players. Hopefully we can do well and bring home the trophy! I know everyone has worked very hard and we have come together really nicely throughout our training days in Birmingham. I’m really looking forward to it!" said Saba, who captains the Wanstead team....

Local historian Lynn Haseldine Jones will lead a walk around Snaresbrook this month looking at the evidence for commuters. “We begin at Snaresbrook Station, where the railway first came in 1856, changing the nature of the village from a predominantly Georgian settlement to a bustling Victorian suburb. There is still evidence of the Great Eastern Railway, hardly noticed by passengers on the busy Central Line,” said Lynn. The free 90-minute walk departs at 2pm on 9 October (booking required). Visit wnstd.com/snaresw...

Redbridge Council will be giving away spring-flowering bulbs to the community this month, encouraging everyone to plant them as part of the Big Bulb Planting Weekend (18 to 20 October). This is part of a borough-wide movement to bring everybody together to beautify our streets… Bulbs can be planted in spaces that benefit the community,” said a spokesperson. The bulbs – which include daffodils, tulips and crocuses – must be requested by 10 October and can be collected from Wanstead Library. Visit wnstd.com/blbs...

William Shakespeare’s London haunts will be the subject of this month’s Wanstead Park Women’s Club meeting. “This talk has developed out of a walk I have led a number of times through and around the City of London, where we explore the places that Shakespeare lived and worked,” said Russell Kenny, who has also devised a self-guided version of the tour (visit wnstd.com/sw). The presentation will take place at Aldersbrook Bowls Club on 21 October from 8pm (visitors: £3). Call 020 8925 4875...

Local families are invited to explore Wanstead Park next month by taking part in an orienteering event. “Using a map, go exploring and try to navigate your way around all the markers. The whole family can get involved and get active in this fun activity that exercises mind and body,” said a spokesperson for the Field Studies Council. The two-hour activity – which is suitable for children aged seven and over – will take place on 5 October from 10am and 1pm (children: £5; adults: free; booking required). Visit wnstd.com/fsc...

A defibrillator will be installed at Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club following a heart attack suffered by scorer John Pluck, whose life was saved by the quick action of fellow club members and the use of a defibrillator from neighbouring Linkside Lawn Tennis Club. “The club is pleased to advise that John is making good progress. The club would like to place on record the heroic efforts of Joe Ellis-Grewal, Pinder Grewal, Ben Phillips, Paul Baily and Jayden Rising, among others, who saved John’s life,” said a spokesperson....

An aspiring young actor from Wanstead has spoken of his enjoyment after being cast in a professional production of The Railway Children for this month’s Wanstead Fringe. “There was never a dull moment and I couldn’t have wished for a better experience, from late-night rehearsals to the adrenaline rush before each show! I learnt so much from working with such a warm, friendly and professional cast,” said 14-year-old Dashiell Ratcliffe. “There was a lovely family bond working with a cast so closely, and I already miss the buzz of it all!”...

Affordable housing developer Pocket Living has broken ground on its latest project on Gardner Close in Wanstead. “Pocket Living will transform the disused garage site into a two-storey building offering 20 affordable one-bedroom homes for first-time buyers – with a 20% discount off the full market value,” said a spokesperson. Pocket Living’s commitment to delivering affordable housing has been backed by the Mayor of London, who in 2017 provided the company with a £25m loan to develop sites like Gardner Close....

Redbridge Council has doubled the amount of time drivers can park for free on the borough’s high streets from 30 minutes to one hour. “This will be a real boost for our high streets and help revitalise the local economy whilst making sure there is still a good level of turnover in parking bays – giving as many people as possible the opportunity to use parking spaces to pop to the shops,” said Councillor Jas Athwal. Motorists can activate the free on-street parking via the Ringo app or at an upgraded pay and display machine....

Redbridge Council has installed a hi-tech Bigbelly bin on Snaresbrook Road as part of work undertaken with residents and the City of London to clear up Eagle Pond. “It’s a smart bin that can accommodate more rubbish, lets the council know when it’s full, requires emptying less often and reduces the risk of litter blowing out and into the pond,” said Councillor Jo Blackman. Big Belly bins hold roughly eight times more rubbish than a regular bin and compact waste automatically throughout the day....

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands – which has been campaigning for the regeneration of ‘east London’s hidden gem’ for the past decade – is seeking to recruit new members to support their work. “Our committee needs new blood. If you value the park and would like to contribute, why not come along to one of our meetings to get some idea of what might be involved? The editor of our popular members’ newsletter has stepped down so we are looking for a someone to take over this role… Someone with experience of website management would also be welcome,” said a spokesperson. The group – which normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm at Wanstead Golf Club – is involved in shaping the long-term plans for the park’s regeneration. Email info@wansteadpark.org.uk...