News

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....

The Natural History Museum’s Curator of Meteorites will be giving a talk at Wanstead House this month. “Dr Natasha Almeida will be discussing meteorites, the far-flung remnants of the solar system that come crashing down to Earth,” said Steve Karpel of the North East London Astronomical Society, which is hosting the 17 November event (3pm; first visit free). Dr Almeida’s research focuses on the use of micro-computed tomography in the study of extraterrestrial material, including meteorites and NASA Apollo samples. Call 020 8995 9853...

Artist David Sawyer – who travelled with the Prince of Wales to the Caribbean as an official tour artist earlier this year – will be demonstrating landscape painting in oils at Wanstead House this month. “One of the many tips David will be giving at the demonstration is to paint or sketch en plein air, because you will learn what to leave out of the painting and what to leave in,” said a spokesperson for Essex Art Club, which is hosting the event on 24 November from 2.30pm to 4.30pm (visitors: £5). Visit wnstd.com/eac...

Amateur dramatics group the Highams Players are celebrating their 80th anniversary with a production of the Alan Ayckbourn comedy Life and Beth at Wanstead House on 21, 22 and 23 November. The group was founded in 1939, performing at Highams House before moving to the Memorial Hall in South Woodford and then to Wanstead House in 1973. “We are a friendly, close-knit group who delight in rehearsing in each other’s homes, and are always keen to welcome new members,” said Susan Walters. Call 020 8924 6987...