News

The Woodford and District branch of the National Trust (NT) has made a number of donations to NT properties following the death of former member Gwen Clarke, who bequeathed £107,000 to the group. The beneficiaries include Rainham Hall in Havering (£15,000), Scotney Castle in Kent (£11,000) and Peckover House in Cambridgeshire (£10,000). “Gwen worked at Whipps Cross Hospital and the London Hospital for many years as a secretary. She moved to Wanstead in 1994 and then into Harts House Care Home in Woodford… We are so grateful she gave us the chance of helping so many properties with her kindness,” said Clive Boon. The centre’s new programme of talks begins on 11 September, 2.30pm at All Saints’ Church hall with a presentation on Waddesdon Manor (visitors: £3). Call 07774 164 407...

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands has commissioned Dr Hannah Armstrong – an expert in 18th-century architecture and landscape design – to write the first-ever large-scale history of Wanstead House. “In existence for just 100 years, Wanstead House was regarded as one of the most magnificent palaces in Europe and the estate originally stretched nearly as far as Woodford. Tragically, in June 1822, every item within the house was sold at auction, prior to the house being demolished,” said a group spokesperson. Due for publication in 2022 to mark the 200th anniversary of the ‘grand sale’, the book will tell the story of the house, its grounds and its larger-than-life owners, complemented by over 70 illustrations, some of which will be published for the first time....

The producers of The Railway Children – to be performed at Forest School in Snaresbrook as part of the Wanstead Fringe festival – are searching for a local actor to play the role of Jim. “It would suit a young person with acting and singing ability, who wants to work with a professional theatre company,” said producer Katherine Mount. Rehearsals commence 9 September, with performances on 14 and 15 September. If the successful candidate requires time off school, the company will apply for licences and supply a registered chaperone. “For audience members, this will be an opportunity to see a West End-style musical on your doorstep… This heart-warming tale is set to a new musical soundtrack, bringing a touch of magic to the stage.” Email info@hordernciani.com...

A bat walk for families with children aged seven and over will take place in Wanstead Park on 30 August. Hosted by the Field Studies Council and the Friends of Wanstead Parklands, the two-and-a-half-hour walk will depart from the Temple at 7.30pm (adults: free; kids: £5). “Explore the park’s diversity of bat species – including soprano and common pipistrelles and Daubenton’s – and learn how they use sound to see. We will use bat detectors to hear them,” said a spokesperson. Visit wnstd.com/bats...

The Field Studies Council (FSC) in partnership with the Friends of Wanstead Parklands will be running a tree identification course for families in Wanstead Park this month. “Join us on a walk and learn how to identify our trees using their leaves, bark and seeds… Discover how trees contribute to our environment,” said an FSC spokesperson. Suitable for children aged 18 months to 11 years, the workshop will run from 10am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 3pm on 21 August (meet at the Temple; adults: free; kids: £5). Visit wnstd.com/trees...

Children and their families are invited to take part in bug hunt in Wanstead Park this month as part of a series of activities run by the Field Studies Council in partnership with the Friends of Wanstead Parklands. “We will look for creepy crawlies under logs and stones and spot insects on plants and trees,” said a spokesperson. Suitable for children aged 18 months to 11 years, the hunt will take place from 10am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 3pm on 8 August (meet at the Temple; adults: free; kids: £5). Visit wnstd.com/bugs...

A local health campaign group is urging residents to sign a petition calling for the government to provide funding to rebuild Whipps Cross Hospital. “Barts Health NHS Trust has the go-ahead to develop plans for Whipps… But with a funding shortfall, the pressure will be to sell off too much land to the detriment of the size and facilities of the new hospital. Government failure to invest in NHS building is a real threat to our hospital’s success,” said a spokesperson for Waltham Forest Save Our NHS. Visit wnstd.com/wxp...

Following a popular summer social event earlier this month, the Wanstead Society is developing plans to host more informal gatherings for its members. "We held our annual summer social in the Nightingale on the Green pub in July. We had a great turn out and hope to make the society more social with more drinks and dinner events in the near future,” said Scott Wilding, chairman of the community group. The Wanstead Society is a non-political organisation working to protect, preserve and improve the local area. Visit wnstd.com/ws...

Organisers of the seventh annual Wanstead Fringe – which will run from 7 to 15 September – say this year’s event will be ‘bigger than ever’. "The week-long Fringe will include more live professional theatre, comedy, music, demonstrations, talks and assorted cultural activities than ever before. Not to mention established favourites like the open-air Wanstead Kinema and the jumble trail,” said a spokesperson. Last year, the Fringe attracted thousands of local residents as well as visitors from further afield. This time, organisers are expecting an even higher level of interest – especially with more events taking place in Aldersbrook, including a new play to be staged at the Aldersbrook Community Centre. A musical production of The Railway Children at Forest School promises to be another highlight. Visit wnstd.com/fringe19...

Children are invited to learn life-saving skills next month, with two first-aid courses to be held at Wanstead House. Making use of fake blood and music, the sessions – which take place on 1 and 22 August from 10.30am (£19.50) – will cover, among other subjects, choking, CPR and the recovery position. “The course is aimed at children aged four to 13 years. All get to use a training defibrillator and administer a pretend electric shock,” said a spokesperson for course administrators Butterfly First Aid. Visit wnstd.com/firstaidkids...

The Wanstead Community Gardeners are keen to encourage more people to assist them in their work. “We can do the planting, but as a community, the maintenance can be done by non-gardeners. Watering is needed in times of no rain. Some plants will flower all summer if their seedheads are removed. It would be easy if lots more people just did a bit in a time of their choosing, and this way, it would be a real community effort. Please contact us by email or leave a note in the library,” said Marian Temple. Email gardeners@wnstd.com...

The City of London Corporation has given the go-ahead for a large-scale music festival to be held on Wanstead Flats next year. “The City Corporation has received a proposal from MAMA Festivals for a three-day music event on Wanstead Flats in September 2020. Elected members have agreed in principle the event can be held,” said a spokesperson. Organisers must now apply to Redbridge Council for a licence and conduct a public consultation. A petition opposing the plans has received over 600 signatures. Visit wnstd.com/flatsmusic...