The big news for last year’s Wanstead Fringe was the event’s first professional theatre production. This year, there are three. Chloe Longstaff takes a look at each Truly celebrating diversity in theatre, this year’s Wanstead Fringe is hosting three contrasting performances, offering something for all ages and interests. First up is The Border, an outrageous Brechtian parable that explores the lines we draw between ourselves and other people. Staged by Theatre Centre, which was founded in 1953 and has decades of experience at bringing new writing to audiences, The Border is a timely and thought-provoking contribution to our questions of identity; life is about to be turned upside down for one small town as the border crossing is sealed shut, dividing here from there, us from them, this from that. In the midst of it all, Stranger, a young girl’s beloved dog, has gone missing....

In the second of a series of articles looking at the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital, Wanstead resident Charlotte Monro explains why she is supporting a petition calling for government funding Our community desperately needs a new hospital. Rebuilding Whipps has wide support, not least in Wanstead, as I discovered when gathering signatures on the High Street for our petition calling on the government to fund the build. Quite a team is now set up at Whipps, working on more detailed proposals for the new hospital. I recently attended a community partners’ workshop as one of five Waltham Forest Save Our NHS delegates. Redbridge was also well represented with Councillor Dan Morgan-Thomas and Mike New, chair of Redbridge Health Watch. We were told the redevelopment work from now until September is focused on (one) developing ideas for how health services will be delivered in the...

Two award-winning professional photographers will be offering an insight into their working lives at a Wanstead Fringe event on 11 September. Geoff Wilkinson, who runs Gallery 84 on Nightingale Lane, and Stefan Rousseau, the Press Association’s chief political photographer, will tell the stories behind the images that make it into the newspapers and magazines. Entitled ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’, the event will take place at Geoff’s gallery from 7.30pm to 9pm (tickets: £10). Visit wnstd.com/fringe19...

A murder mystery evening will take place at Wanstead Library this month to mark Agatha Christie Week. “Join a cast of colourful characters all set on dining with death! When Mr Boddy asks Lady Peacock to be his bride, the wedding breakfast turns to dead-over-dinner, as the new vicar, Rev Green, hears confessions,” said a spokesperson. Set at Waddingtons Hall, participants will need to question the suspects to catch the killer. The event will take place on 14 September from 6.30pm (tickets: £6). Call 020 8708 7400...

New track and sound absorbent pads are being installed on local sections of the Central Line to reduce noise. “We fully understand the effect that noise from the Tube can have on local residents, which is why we will be carrying out work on the Central Line between Leyton and Wanstead to try to minimise this,” said Peter McNaught, London Underground’s Director of Asset Operations. “This work is scheduled to be completed within the next two months during engineering hours, so will cause no disruption to customers.”...

An evening of stargazing in the grounds of Wanstead Cricket Club will mark the start of this year’s Wanstead Fringe. “There are two chances to see the night sky through powerful telescopes with experts on hand to show you what to look out for,” said organiser Ricardo Cerezo. The free event will take place on 6 September from 8pm to 9pm, and will be repeated the following evening. “One of England’s great astronomers, James Bradley (1693–1762), is buried in the churchyard next door.” Visit wnstd.com/fringe19...

Local artist Karen Humpage has been constructing a large model cow which will be wandering around Wanstead on 7 September (10am to 1.30pm) as part of the art trail. Last month, Karen published a book featuring artwork and anecdotes of the cows that once roamed freely in the local area. “People will be encouraged to take a selfie with the cow for a suggested donation of £2, which will go to the charity Compassion in World Farming. The cow will also be at the Wanstead Festival,” said Karen. Visit karenhumpage.co.uk...

Clocks and timepieces will appear along Wanstead High Street this month, attached to trees, fences and street furniture. “They are the work of Aldersbrook and Wanstead Church primary schoolchildren for Art Trail Wanstead (7 to 22 September), which has a ‘Time’ theme. Local artist Brenda Coyle was invited to run some exciting art-based classes at the schools. Together they managed to create hundreds of Dali-inspired melted clocks, plaster of Paris timepieces and colourful sun-catcher hourglasses,” said trail organiser Donna Mizzi....

Francis Castro, senior nature conservation ranger for Vision RCL, is keen to champion the Roding Valley and invites you to join him for a late summer walk through this local hidden gem. Valley photo by Anna MacLaughlin The Roding Valley is one of the hidden gems of east London, part of the area’s industrial landscape but also retaining some of its rural charm. It is a great way to explore the borough and for those looking for a more rural getaway. The Nature Conservation Ranger Team, part of the Parks Team for Vision RCL, have a walk scheduled for 7 September, which will be our longest walk yet, completing the trilogy of Roding Valley guided walks we have held throughout the year. It will take in the entirety of the Roding Valley through Redbridge, as we make our way to Wanstead Park, starting from Ray Park...

The magic of panto and storytelling will come to local libraries this autumn with a series of performances by drag queen Mama G. “Created by popular panto dame Robert Pearce, Mama G tells stories about being who you are and loving who you want, to children and their families, and anyone who’ll listen! She has spread her message all over the UK at libraries, theatres, museums and festivals, as well as making appearances in America and Canada,” said a spokesperson for Petite Pantos. The ‘storytime with a difference’ will take place in Wanstead (2 October, 2pm), Woodford Green (4 October, 10.30am) and South Woodford (8 October, 2.30pm) as part of Redbridge’s annual Fabula Festival, which celebrates the arts and libraries and their power to transform lives. Suitable for children aged three and over, all shows are free to attend. “These performances will feature published works...

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....