Ahead of a series of wool art workshops for children at Wanstead Library, Guli Hamra explains how growing up in Kyrgyzstan provided her with an intrinsic connection to wool and how her creativity unravelled. My name is Guli and I have been living in England for 17 years. I am originally from Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia. People in my country have traditionally been nomads and they have always used wool in their life. I grew up where people make carpets from wool, as well as yurts, clothes and many different things which we still use in modern life. In my childhood, I used to help my mum, our neighbours and relatives to make carpets. So, I know how to work with wool! I used to have lots of craft hobbies until I saw a picture made out of wool on the internet. I couldn’t believe...

James Knight has been experimenting with colour and abstract paintings since his childhood, experiments which have helped prepare him to take part in the 10th Art Trail Wanstead this September. My early years were spent in Shoreditch, and I always had an interest in drawing, painting and colour. My family were printers and worked with colour and form. I remember helping my mother spread ink onto a letterpress printing plate during my childhood. The form of the spread ink was one of my earlier experiments with colour. When I entered secondary school, my two main influences were art teachers Mr Wesley and Mr Swindon. Mr Swindon was a great portrait and caricature artist, whilst Mr Wesley was wonderful with colour and pattern. Both encouraged me to feel free artistically and to experiment. Upon leaving school, I worked for Panoramic Pictures taking photos of entire schools. Anybody...

Despite missing out on the league title, Snaresbrook FC are still a squad of winners, says Millicent Brown, and they count Frank Lampard Snr among their supporters. It’s been another fantastic year for the historic local Wanstead football team Snaresbrook FC, which has been playing on the Nutter Field for decades. Originally named RAFARNO – short for Royal Air Force Army Royal Navy Officers – the club was set up at the end of World War One to provide sporting activities for the local community. Even these days, a fenced-off section with a fir tree remains at the top end of the ground, marking the area where horses and carriages used to drop off passengers. This season, the team has been competing in one of the top divisions of Essex’s highest-flying leagues – the Essex Olympian Football League – and for a long time looked...

Aldersbrook Lawn Tennis Club held a 24-hour hit-a-thon last week, raising funds for children’s mental health charity Carefree Kids and the club. “Tennis and social members kept a ball in play during 24 hourly slots; either a tennis ball, a table tennis ball or a pool ball,” said a club spokesperson. Running from 6pm on 21 June until 6pm on 22 June, the event has raised £800 so far and was supported by local bands Replay, Breakfast Bunch and Major 3rd. Located on Blake Hall Road, the club boasts six all-weather courts. Visit wnstd.com/altc...

Residents who have been involved in anti-war movements in east London are invited to participate in oral history project ‘Not on our Watch’. “We will be recording stories of campaigning, struggling and building relationships within the grassroots peace movement from post-WWII to the present day,” said a spokesperson for Eastside Community Heritage, a charity which promotes an understanding of inter-generational experiences through historical explorations. Call 020 8553 3116...

The new president of a local public speaking club is encouraging any residents keen to improve their confidence and leadership skills to join them. The Woodford Green Speakers are affiliated to Toastmasters International and meet fortnightly at Wanstead Golf Club. “Toastmasters has helped thousands around the world to overcome their fears of public speaking,” said Pamela Odukoya, who was elected as the group’s president in June. Meetings will take place on 9 and 23 July from 6.45pm. Visit wnstd.com/wgs...

A memorial plaque has been placed in the City of London Cemetery at the recently discovered location of the final resting place of Joseph Merrick, who was exhibited as the Elephant Man in the 1880s. After his death in 1890, Joseph’s bones were removed of flesh and stored for medical study. What happened to the rest of his remains had been a mystery for over a century, until author Joanne Vigor-Mungovin studied the Aldersbrook cemetery’s burial records in April this year, which ultimately led her to the grave’s location....

The Battle of Agincourt (25 October 1415) will be discussed at next month’s meeting of the East of London Family History Society at Wanstead Library. “King Henry V’s wet, cold, tired, hungry and scared army inflicted a massive defeat on the French. Their knights charged into heavy, wet ground and were slaughtered, many even after they were captured. But when he returned home, Henry received a hero’s welcome,” said Jef Page, whose presentation will take place on 24 July from 7pm (visitors: £1.50). Call 020 8554 8414...

An annual operatic event will return to Christ Church next month. “Glamour on the Green is an evening of operatic singing in the church from young professional musicians, with two sessions of music surrounding a 90-minute interval for picnics in the garden,” said a church spokesperson. The performers for the event on 20 July (from 6.30pm; tickets from £20) are: Jessica Norton (lead soprano), Lydia Haynes (mezzo-soprano), George Ireland (piano), Clem Hetherington (tenor) and Tom Mole (bass). Visit wnstd.com/gotg...

Members of the Wanstead Youth Club – which meet on Thursday evenings at Wanstead Youth Centre – took part in the launch of a gardening project earlier this month. “Participants designed their own plant pots and filled them with their choice of flowers and shrubs. Other plans include putting up bird boxes and bird feeders, which the youngsters will have responsibility for, and installing trellises on the walls for climbing plants to add colour to the area,” said the club’s new leader Keith Cranmer. Email keithc@essexboysandgirlsclubs.org...

More than 20 people took part in a clean-up day at Eagle Pond in Snaresbrook earlier this month. Wanstead Village councillor Jo Blackman organised the litter pick with the City of London Corporation – who owns the site – after a number of residents expressed concerns about the state of the pond. “It’s great to see what a difference we can make when we work together. A group of residents are now joining forces to make lasting improvements,” said Councillor Blackman. Email jo.blackman@redbridge.gov.uk...

Redbridge Council is consulting residents over the possible extension of the WA and WB permit parking zones. “Parking in some residential roads in Wanstead is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of commuter parking and displacement from adjacent controlled areas. A number of requests, together with signed petitions, have been submitted… asking for us to work with local residents to develop suitable solutions,” said a spokesperson. The consultation closes on 19 July. Visit wnstd.com/consultjul19...