News

Tributes have been paid to Wanstead resident Jill Stock, who died on 25 May following a road traffic collision while visiting family in Somerset. Jill worked as a nurse for some 46 years, and her hobby of making photographic collages developed into a small enterprise, creating jigsaw puzzles of Wanstead, which she sold at the farmers’ market. “She will be deeply missed. She was a beacon for a model citizen looking after her neighbourhood,” said Steve Wilks. She leaves husband Mick and three daughters, Kate, Samantha and Polly....

An Extinction Rebellion speaker will visit Wanstead next month to discuss climate change and explain how non-violent, direct action can bring pressure on governments to act. “Extinction Rebellion is helping us focus on the climate crisis we face. Yes, it is great the government has made a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but most climate scientists say that is too late,” said a spokesperson for Wanstead Climate Action. The talk will take place at Christ Church on 1 July from 7.30pm to 9.30pm (free)....

Residents with an interest in the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital are invited to a meeting to be hosted by the Wanstead Park Women’s Club on 15 July from 8.15pm (£2; open to all). The event at Aldersbrook Bowls Club will be attended by Community Engagement Leader Abbas Mirza, who is seeking feedback on plans to improve the hospital, which treats more than 1,600 patients every day. Call 020 8925 4875...

Wanstead residents and those from further afield are invited to take part in this year’s Art Trail Wanstead postcard exhibition. “After the success of last year’s show, I am running the postcard art exhibition again, celebrating the trail’s 10th anniversary. There was such a fantastic mix of entries last year (around 150 cards) and we managed to sell many for charity. This year, I am issuing a call out to submit your entries based on the theme of ‘time’,” said exhibition organiser Eugene Coyle. Entries received before the 31 August deadline will be displayed at The Stow Brothers or Wanstead Library, and all forms of postcard-sized art are welcome, from paintings to poems, photos, textiles and collage. Submissions can be left in the art trail letterbox at The Stow Brothers or posted to 117A High Street, Wanstead, E11 2RL. Visit artgroupwanstead.com...

Artists with a link to Wanstead are invited to join Art Group Wanstead this month for the opportunity to take part in their art trail in the autumn. Taking place from 7 to 22 September, the event – which is now in its 10th year – will show all types of visual artwork by local amateurs and professionals in shops, businesses and community centres. Extra events are also being planned for this year's anniversary trail, sponsored by The Stow Brothers. "The chosen theme (not compulsory) for this community art event is ‘Time’. A wide interpretation is encouraged – it might be inspired by a time-travel TV series or your own futuristic vision of Wanstead," said event organiser Donna Mizzi. "Everyone who joins the organising group (membership is free) will be given the option of paying a fee to take part in the trail." Visit artgroupwanstead.com...

A spring clean-themed community picnic will take place on Christchurch Green on 11 April from 2pm to 4pm. The council-organised event will feature local stall-holders and a number of activities for both children and adults, including a live story-telling session at 2.15pm, a free yoga workshop at 3pm and origami, seed bomb making and other craft activities throughout the afternoon. And being part of Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean campaign, attendees will also be invited to join or host a litter pick on the day. Children and community groups taking part will be presented with a certificate (register before 2.30pm). "The event is our way of celebrating local volunteers' clean-up efforts," said Krisztina Vamos, Neighbourhood Engagement and Education Officer at Redbridge Council. Visit wavidi.co/ourstreets...

An informal reunion for those who attended Wanstead High School between 1970 and 1977 – and who will therefore be turning 60 this academic year – will take place at The George this month. "This will give our year group the opportunity to meet and re-meet with old friends, have a king-sized catch-up, reminisce and raise a glass to our days at school… If you have any photos you’d be happy to share, please bring them along," said organiser Francesca Fenn. The event will take place on 13 March from 7pm. Visit wavidi.co/class77...

Libraries across Redbridge are being upgraded to improve online and interactive services for library users. “The new system will make it easier and quicker for residents to download eBooks and search for books and services online, as well as incorporating a brand new app so customers can access their library on the move… This is also an opportunity for budding authors and local publications to share their work online as the system change will give them access to online facilities,” said a spokesperson. During the upgrade – which is expected to be completed by mid-March – it will not be possible to renew items and a fine amnesty will be in place until the end of the month. Joining a library, using public computers and borrowing items will be unaffected during the update....

An annual 10km women's walk in aid of Haven House Children's Hospice will begin and end in Wanstead on 10 May (£15, plus sponsorship), with this year's participants following a new route encompassing Epping Forest, South Woodford and a halfway Sparkle Station in the grounds of the Woodford Green charity. "Our Sparkle Walk is back, and it’s bigger, brighter and packed with even more glitter," said a spokesperson. Last year's event, which raised more than £21,000, saw more than 200 women take part. Visit wavidi.co/sparkle19...

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club has launched a fundraising drive called Project Heron. "To help us build on our recent achievements on the field, our facilities need to be upgraded urgently. We have identified what we need: new, state-of-the-art ECB-certified nets, the same kind the players use at Lord’s… We also plan to complete the refurbishment of our clubhouse by the start of the 2020 season," said a spokesperson for the Overton Drive club, which is looking to raise £75k. Visit wavidi.co/prheron...

Redbridge Council is installing 30 public access defibrillators in a bid to save lives. “The locations are being finalised and we will be able to share the information very soon… The project will include four on our housing estates across the borough and installations at Redbridge libraries in partnership with Vision,” said a council spokesperson. An online map shows the current location of the borough’s defibrillators – including one at Wanstead Leisure Centre – to be updated as the new equipment is rolled out. Visit wavidi.co/defib...

Wanstead Church School has won £3,750 from the Aviva Community Fund, having reached the final round thanks to online votes from local supporters. "Our bid for funding for our reflection garden project was voted a judges' choice winner and means the project can now go ahead," said a school spokesperson. The garden – which it is hoped will be in place by the Easter holidays – will be called Derek’s Garden, in memory of lollipop man Derek Jarvis, who helped children cross Wanstead High Street for 10 years before he died in 2017....