News

The Woodford and District Floral Arrangement Group will hold its AGM and host the editor of the UK’s leading floral art magazine The Flower Arranger on 17 February from 7.30pm at Wanstead Library (visitors: £5). “I will discuss the history of the magazine, how it has been inspiring floral artists for nearly 60 years and also its future now flower arranging has been taken up by the Instagram generation. Floral arrangements inspired by six decades of the magazine will also be on display,” said editor Chloë Bryan-Brown. Call 020 8530 2427...

The discovery of asbestos has caused delays to the replacement of Central Line track in the local area. “We are replacing rail track between Wanstead and Leytonstone Tube stations to reduce noise levels… Ahead of work starting we identified some asbestos, which has now been dealt with by a specialist team to ensure the safety of staff and customers. As a result of this we have made some changes to the track replacement programme, but will complete it as soon as possible,” said a London Underground spokesperson....

Residents are invited to join the Wren Wildlife Group for a bird spotting walk through Wanstead Park as part of this month’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. “We’ll be looking at a variety of wintering ducks – including gadwall, shoveler, pochard and tufted ducks – on the park’s lakes. And we’ll be searching through the bare trees for fieldfares, redwings and siskins. And there may be the odd surprise as well!” said Tim Harris. Participants will meet at the park’s Temple at 10am on 25 January (free). Call 07505 482 328...

It’s party time for members of Art Group Wanstead on 23 January. “As the group plans for the 2020s after running Art Trail Wanstead for a decade, new ideas and organisers will be needed. A short meeting will be held at the beginning of the night… Please bring some finger food to share; a bar will be available,” said group founder Donna Mizzi. Artists interested in joining the group (membership is free) are welcome to attend the event, which will be held at Wanstead House community centre from 7pm. Visit wnstd.com/art...

Some 70 people registered as potential stem cell donors at Wanstead Church School’s Christmas fair last month. “This initiative was inspired by an amazing five-year-old girl from the school who has received a bone marrow donation to treat her leukaemia,” said Ali Maclaine. Registrations have continued since the event, with an additional 16 now added to the list. “We want to get to 100 new potential donors… If you are healthy, aged between 18 and 55 and have 10 minutes to spare, please get in touch.” Email redsunhope@gmail.com...

Wanstead Village councillors have changed the venue of their surgeries, with meetings to be held at the Allan Burgess Centre from January onwards. Surgery times remain the same, taking place from 10am to 12 noon on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. “We look forward to meeting more residents in our new setting to discuss local issues… We also encourage those who cannot join us on Saturday mornings to contact us by email or phone at other times,” said Councillor Daniel Morgan-Thomas. Visit wnstd.com/councillors...

Fundraising for the Wanstead Parish winter night shelter – which will open on 7 January – has reached over £6,600 at the time of writing. “This includes £2,000 from the Aviva Community Fund, a £1,000 anonymous donation, £250 from the Wanstead Business Network and a multitude of smaller donations,” said Rev Jack Dunn. “People have really got behind the work of the parish in seeking to help some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society find shelter and safety.” Visit wnstd.com/shelter...

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club’s new nets will be installed in time for the new cricket season. “Our new nets are now a reality thanks to grants from the London Marathon Community Trust, Sport England and the National Lottery Community Fund, as well as fundraising by club members. Work started in November, with the old nets being ripped up and the initial base for the new nets being laid. The contractors will finish construction of the new nets in time for the 2020 cricket season,” said club chairman Martin Pluck....

Residents keen on beautifying the streets of Wanstead for the year ahead are urged not to miss the 2020 deadline for adopting a tree pit near their home. “Planting bee-friendly flowers under a street tree will make your road look beautiful, reduce chemicals being sprayed and help wildlife,” said a spokesperson for Wild Wanstead, which is aiming to increase the number of street trees across the neighbourhood planted at their base to support pollinating insects. “Just email the council by 25 January to tell them the location of the tree you’re adopting and they’ll provide a label to stop it being sprayed. Plant the base with wild flowers, geraniums, herbs or any other small plants.” Email cleansing.services@redbridge.gov.uk or visit wnstd.com/treepit for more information and street gardening safety advice....

Redbridge Council is seeking feedback from residents as to where communal charging points for electric vehicles should be located. “The advance of this technology has been slower in this country than some others, but gradually the electric car revolution is taking off. Redbridge Council is keen to support this form of transport, providing charging points across the borough. This is an ongoing process, so expressions of interest are invited regarding possible sites,” said Councillor Paul Donovan. Email evcp@redbridge.gov.uk...

Volunteers are needed to take part in a World War Two community theatre project. “The Hope and Glory project aims to explore what life was like in Redbridge during the Second World War through performance and research techniques,” said project leader Alfie James. Participants will work towards creating a show to be performed at Redbridge Drama Centre in April. “This will be a fun and enjoyable project, which will bring local history to life on stage… No previous acting experience is required.” Call 07858 625 622...

As part of her Spreading Kindness Through E11 initiative, anti-bullying ambassador Elsa Arnold launched an ‘outreach for loneliness’ project earlier this month. “We held an event at The Duke, where children designed Christmas cards and stockings, which we filled with gifts for the residents of Cambridge Nursing Home,” said Elsa. “The stockings were delivered by local families, who also spent time at the home to spread Christmas cheer… I would like to thank The Duke and the wider community for their enthusiasm in getting involved.”...