Lots of people love the idea of installing a green roof but don’t know where to start. An event at this year’s Wanstead Fringe aims to change all that. Susie Knox from Wild Wanstead reports There’s a revolution going on in London. But if you want to see it, you’ll need to look up… Green roofs are appearing on buildings around the capital, creating a patchwork of vegetation across the skyline. According to a report from the Mayor of London, there are now 1.5 million square metres of green roof in Greater London. It might be new to the UK, but green roof technology is well established in countries like Germany, Austria and Switzerland. That means there’s now a substantial body of evidence quantifying the enormous benefits of making gardens in the sky. A green (or living) roof is one where vegetation or a habitat...

The island flower bed outside Wanstead Station is looking somewhat neglected and doesn’t live up to the Wanstead Community Gardeners’ usual high standards. It’s a work in progress, reassures Marian Temple The island bed between The George pub and Wanstead Station has been looking rather desolate for some time. An old water tank with ‘Wanstead Community Gardeners’ on it announces that it is one of our patches, but it has caused us problems since we took it over about three years ago. The soil is very poor, dry and stony, not really a problem but the couch grass is and threatens to overrun the area. Our councillors suggested we could apply for a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) grant to have some preparatory work done to give us a more level playing field, something we could cope with. CIL grants come from developers who pay the council for...

As Art Trail Wanstead clocks up a decade, founder Donna Mizzi looks forward to 2019’s time-themed event and explains why more residents are getting involved in creating art than they did 10 years ago Over the space of just 10 years, we have noticed that art is considered less the preserve of a few talented individuals to being more an activity that people of all ages and abilities can engage in. And the trail has shown that individuals do not always have to spend years at art school to create work that is admired or appreciated by members of the public. That said, many of our members have at some time joined local classes, courses or groups. It may be a change in society as more people find art accessible, relaxing, therapeutic and a break from uncreative jobs. And, of course, it may be the...

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...