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...

When Wanstead Climate Action hit the streets to draw attention to the climate emergency, they also had the mammoth task of answering the public’s concerns. Vanya Marks offers an explanation. “Get a job!”“You’re a hypocrite!” “It’s all China’s fault!” Becoming a climate activist has been a baptism of fire and the Extinction Rebellion I joined in October was nothing short of an emotional whirlwind. Two weeks swinging between joy and hope to despair and anguish left me an empty husk at the end of it. I could only have got through the ups and downs thanks to the group of amazing Wanstead folk who have teamed up to form Wanstead Climate Action. During the rain-soaked fortnight of protest, we laughed, we cried, we sang, we marched and mostly, we tried to draw attention to the climate emergency – through peaceful means… and a little bit of...

In the sixth of a series of articles looking at the work of Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, Priti Mistry offers more advice on how older people can prepare themselves for the winter season. Now that winter is upon us, most homes will have had the heating switched on for several months. However, for some older people on a low income, they sadly end up leaving their heating off to make ends meet and to be able to manage their money. Therefore, I want to share some tips that will help us all to get through the colder days and months. Keeping warm indoors If you’re sitting down, wrap up with a shawl or blanket. You could even pop your feet up on something as the air’s cooler at ground level. If you struggle to stay warm in bed, socks and even a hat...

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...

In the fourth of a series of articles by members of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, Anila Hussain tells the story behind this image of the Reichstag staircase. Architecture was one of the first things I photographed. It opened another door called perspectives. Every angle, every viewpoint; the structure looked so different to me. I challenge myself to see how I can photograph one building but use every angle possible, giving it a completely different view. Great light also plays havoc with the shadows. I find it exciting. I never look at anything head-on. I still photograph everything, but for some unknown reason, architecture pulls me in more and more. In any city I visit, I will always look for architecture and perspectives. Apart from liking what Foster and Partners create abroad and in London, my other most favourite architect is the late, great...

In the second of two articles by former local resident David Williams, the journalist-turned-tour guide and lecturer explains why he often returns to the area – as he is doing this month – to give talks to local groups. I am not a genealogist but my interest in social and oral history has intrigued me for the past 15 years. After retiring from a career in print journalism and the film and television industry, I was keen to find something which would occupy my time. A casual search on the City of London Corporation website revealed they were inviting applications from people to become tour guides and lecturers. That was for me! After qualifying as a guide in 2005, I went on a number of short courses about various aspects of London’s rich heritage. So, it was on to Birkbeck, University of London, to complete four...

Helping others can be both fulfilling and fun, says Ron Jeffries of Redbridge Voluntary Care, a good neighbour scheme that has been running for over 40 years and is in need of volunteers in Wanstead. From time to time, most people will know someone who needs help with transport to a hospital, the doctors, a clinic or the dentist. You may be aware of someone who is lonely, sick or elderly, someone who would welcome the company of a visitor. You may have wondered if you might be able to help but are unsure how to go about it. If so, help is at hand! And it will be both fulfilling and fun for you, and a lifeline for someone who needs your support. Redbridge Voluntary Care (RVC) is a good neighbour scheme and registered charity which started in 1973 and offers help to any...

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...

Jonathan Diamond, a partner at Wiseman Lee Solicitors, explains why divorce proceedings tend to spike in the New Year and how couples can avoid falling into the trap of the marital ‘blame game’. Sadly, January is one of the busiest times for couples to consider divorcing. Some researchers have suggested the stress of spending time together at Christmas can be the final straw for some relationships that have already been under strain. Whatever the reasons, as the law currently stands, the quickest way to obtain a divorce is to apportion blame on your spouse. In this day and age, it may seem grossly unfair to resort to finger-pointing to end a marriage that has irretrievably broken down. In fact, earlier this year, the government heralded an end to such practices and instead promised new ‘no fault’ divorce laws. That was back in April 2019 but,...

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....