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...

Open-air theatre company Illyria will return to Wanstead Park this month with two performances: The Tempest (9 August from 7pm) and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (29 August from 4pm). “I hope after seeing the plays, people will be inspired to visit this wonderful park and the magnificent ancient woodland of Epping Forest,” said Graeme Doshi-Smith, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee. Picnics are encouraged. Visit wnstd.com/forestevents...

In the first of a series of articles by members of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, Alan Simpson tells the story behind this image taken at City Hall I took this photograph a few years ago, before mobile phones were as ever-present as they are now. Such a scene today would possibly not warrant a photograph or even a second glance. A photo club outing to London’s higher viewpoints included a visit to City Hall (as part of the annual Open House London festival). I therefore took advantage of the only time in the year when the public has access to the viewing gallery on the ninth floor, outside London’s Living Room; this is where you often see the mayor holding forth in television interviews. Looking over the barrier, I caught sight of these two men absorbed in their phones down below. Unaware of each other,...

Steve Wilks and Deborah Selner remember Jill Stock, who died at the end of May. Known to many, her funeral saw the City of London Cemetery’s chapel overflowing with friends and family celebrating her life I had the pleasure of knowing Jill when I moved to Wanstead and she introduced me to various people who were involved in Neighbourhood Watch. Ever the community worker, she initially became a Watch Co-ordinator and then Chairman of the Safer Neighbourhood Panel, assisting the police and running the group. Having lived for over 40 years in Wanstead, she had a wealth of local knowledge. She regularly organised the annual street party for residents on Cranbourne Avenue where she lived. Through working as a nurse and being involved in her own children’s schools as a member of Nightingale and Wanstead High PTA, she knew a huge bank of people from...

Wanstead resident and student member of Stop the War Coalition Lucy Nichols explains why she and a few friends recently hosted a stall on the High Street opposing war with Iran On Saturday 29 June, myself and a group of student activists from the Stop the War Coalition ran a very successful stall on Wanstead High Street. We talked about the very real threat of war with Iran and encouraged locals to share with us the reasons why they were against British involvement in a war in the Middle East. We came to Wanstead as part of a national day of action called by the Stop the War Coalition, a campaign group set up prior to the war in Iraq which has been campaigning tirelessly against British and American warmongering abroad ever since. The group has a support network that spans the country and includes everything from...

London City Airport’s Master Plan, released on 28 June, proposes to double the number of flights each year. Steve Wilks looks at the effects of the new proposals on Wanstead and its environs With an increasingly global and networked world, travelling in our jobs is becoming more commonplace. At London City Airport, in the last five years, its passenger numbers have grown by 40%, hitting 4.8 million in 2018. It expects demand to rise to 11 million by 2035, but its current capacity is limited to 6.5 million passengers, according to the London Borough of Newham. London City CEO Robert Sinclair has stated the airport does not plan to build a new runway, extend the length of it or expand beyond its current site boundary. The airport wants to emphasise that it will focus on sustainability while expanding and using fuel-efficient aircraft and making its grounds...

A performing arts school in Wanstead celebrated its 10th anniversary in July by staging a show at Forest School’s Deaton Theatre. “It is very humbling to know that our school has become a significant part of the lives of so many young people over the past 10 years, and to see their growing love and appreciation of the performing arts,” said Michael Da Silva Pearce, principal of DSP Performing, which runs Saturday classes for five- to 16-year-olds at Wanstead High School. Visit dsp-performing.org...

Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club has raised over £46k through its Project Heron campaign, which is aiming to generate £75k to refurbish its clubhouse and install new cricket nets. The total includes a £25k grant from Sport England, £10k from the National Lottery Community Fund and several £1,000-plus anonymous donations. “Congratulations to the fundraising committee for all their work to achieve this… Over the coming months, we will continue to organise events and apply for more grants to reach our target,” said club chairman Martin Pluck. Visit wnstd.com/nets...

A South Woodford resident who organised an informal gathering of local classic car owners and their vehicles in June is planning to repeat the event this month, and is extending an invitation to Wanstead car enthusiasts. “‘Classic and a Cuppa’ is open to all classic, vintage and veteran cars and perhaps some more modern, interesting or rare ones,” said Gary Zylberszac, whose first event at South Woodford’s Derby Road car park saw 26 vehicles take part. The second gathering will take place from 10am to 12 noon on 11 August. Visit wnstd.com/cars...

Work to replace 5.3km of water pipes across 20 roads in Wanstead began last week and is expected to continue until March. “This is an important piece of work and we’re investing £2.2 million in the scheme to provide a safe and reliable supply for future generations… A range of techniques which do not require open trenches will be used to lay the new pipes, with trenches being used only as a last resort… We don’t plan to remove any trees, but any that do have to be removed will be replaced,” said a Thames Water spokesperson....

Redbridge Council is seeking feedback on plans to fine drivers who leave their engines running while parked as part of the authority’s efforts to reduce air pollution. “Engine idling is one of the key contributors to air pollution and this new policy will be an important tool to reduce toxic air,” said a spokesperson. Fines will only be issued if drivers refuse to switch off their engine when asked. The consultation closes on 2 August. Visit wnstd.com/idle...