Historian and author Diane Atkinson – whose latest book has become the definitive history of the suffragettes – will be discussing some ‘remarkable lives’ at Wanstead Library this March I’m really looking forward to coming to Wanstead Library to talk about my latest book, Rise Up Women! The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes. It is a collective biography of 200 women – there were thousands more – who worked so hard and sacrificed so much for women’s suffrage. Women from all social class backgrounds, all ages, all parts of the United Kingdom and all life experiences ‘came out’ as suffragettes, many of them leaving their previous lives behind forever. For many years, the suffragettes were written out of the story of women getting the vote, or dismissed as self-interested, middle-class hobbyists, but nothing could be further from the truth. In 1907, a woollen weaver from...

In the 22nd of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces violinist Henry Chandler and pianist John Paul Ekins, who will perform in Wanstead this month edbridge Music Society continues its current programme of bringing high quality musical events to the borough with a recital given by prizewinning young musicians Henry Chandler and John Paul Ekins, who will perform music by Beethoven, Schubert and César Franck. Although still in his twenties, Henry Chandler has already performed under famous conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Leif Segerstam and Sir Roger Norrington and has played with prestigious orchestras, including the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, English National Opera, Oxford Philomusica and European Union Chamber orchestras. He has also appeared in a masterclass with world-renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov. Before going to university, Henry studied at the Royal College of Music (RCM) Junior Department, where he...

Colin Spence runs dog training classes in Snaresbrook and has been working with man’s best friend – and their owners – for 23 years. Here, he explains how much exercise a puppy needs This is a much-talked-about topic and a conversation I have with new puppy owners on a daily basis, as many are not sure how much physical exercise their very young puppy should get. Well, let’s take a look at this and what we trainers and behaviour practitioners believe in how much is too much and how much is just right and why. Once we get our eight-week-old puppy home, for the first few hours or first few days, they will be getting used to their new environment, moving around the home, investigating everything. As the hours and days go by, puppies get more energetic, and roughly around the 16-week mark, will have...

In the first of a series of articles by Refugee Welcome Wanstead – a community group planning to welcome a Syrian refugee family to Wanstead – Eleanor Taylor explains how local residents can help I’m sure you will recall the dreadful scenes in the news in recent years of buildings flattened, people killed or injured and families torn apart as a result of the war in Syria. For eight years, the war has raged, creating the world’s largest refugee crisis, and forcing people into camps in Lebanon and Jordan. Life in these refugee camps is precarious, and most families dream of being able to settle down somewhere to start afresh and rebuild their lives. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when we see these stories, to feel there’s nothing we can do to help. The events are happening so far away, and we don’t make the...

Marian Temple of the Wanstead Community Gardeners tells the stories behind two blooming stars of Wanstead and how these horticultural happenings came to be Garrya elliptica: now in catkin flower around Wanstead Station. A few years ago, someone said to me: “It’s a pity about the Garrya elliptica at the station. We never see the catkins.” My ears pricked up. I had only just found out about Garrya elliptica a few weeks previously when I’d seen them at Anglesey Abbey’s winter garden and been transfixed by the curtains of hanging catkins. Did we really have such things skulking around Wanstead Station and not performing? Yes, we did! Lots of them but the contractors pruned them every autumn, cutting off the developing catkins. Of course, we never saw them. We contacted the Redbridge Council department to get the time of pruning changed with mixed results, sometimes a show...

The City of London Corporation is considering new proposals to host large-scale events at Wanstead Flats, Warlies Park and Chingford Plain. A similar plan was ditched last year following a community campaign and fears over the Flats’ fragile habitat, which is home to ground-nesting skylarks. “These proposals will be discussed by members at the Epping Forest and Commons Committee in March and a decision made in due course,” said a spokesperson. Income from any events would be used to help maintain Epping Forest....

Local wild flowers will be the subject of this month’s Aldersbrook Horticultural Society meeting. My talk will explain how historical records give clues about the native flowers that grew in the Wanstead area and their uses… I will suggest reasons why many wild flowers are under threat and how careful management of wild flower areas should be able to enhance local biodiversity,” said Tricia Moxey, whose presentation will take place at Aldersbrook Bowls Club on 10 March from 7.30pm (visitors: £5). Visit wnstd.com/ahs...

As part of last month’s National Apprenticeship Week, Eton Manor RFC hosted an apprenticeship and training fair, one of the first social and business partnered events of its kind in the borough. “With the help of local, national and global businesses, aspiring apprentices were introduced to a debt-free alternative to university and were able to discuss their career ambitions with future employers…” said event organiser Helen Gascoigne from training provider Aspire to Learn. The fair is set to return next year....

In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Redbridge Libraries will be working with local homeless organisations to supply their service users with much-needed support. From 2 to 7 March, Wanstead Library will join the rest of the borough in becoming a donation point for items for the homeless community. Residents are encouraged to ‘fill a bag with kindness’ and bring in toothpaste, shower gel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tissues, plasters, sanitary towels or tampons. Visit wnstd.com/kindnessbag...

A local knitting group has raised £900 for the Wanstead Night Shelter by selling the items they make. Social Knitworks, which meets Wednesday evenings at The Cuckfield, also celebrated their first anniversary last month. “Over the last 12 months, we have donated countless items to Whipps Cross Hospital for babies in need as well as cat blankets to the Celia Hammond Animal Trust. But our biggest achievement has to be raising nearly £900 for Wanstead’s Night Shelter,” said a group spokesperson. Visit wnstd.com/knit...

There is still time to apply to compete in this year’s Redbridge’s Got Talent, which is being held to raise funds for the Redbridge Mayor’s Charity Appeal. “All ages and talents are welcome to apply. The show will be held at the Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford Green on 26 April from 5pm. All proceeds from the show will go to two brilliant local charities, Healthy Living Projects– which works with homeless people to get their lives back on track – and Imagine Independence – which works with people with mental health issues,” said a spokesperson for the event. There is no charge to enter the competition and the overall winner will receive a £500 prize. Call 07712 516 424 or email redbridgesgottalent@gmail.com by 7 March. Last year’s event raised over £25,000 and was won by Karan’s Bollywood Masterclass....

The volunteer team of organisers of Art Trail Wanstead are having a well-deserved rest this September after 10 years of running the large, community visual art event. But, to keep the local art scene alive, there are likely to be some pop-up art displays to enjoy this year instead, with details to be announced at a later date. And Art Group Wanstead members are again set to have a strong presence at September’s Wanstead Festival. “Having a break will give us time to plan for the years ahead,” said a statement from the organisers. Last September, about 150 artists showed work at 70 venues. The group, which has over 300 members, is continuing to offer free membership to artists – professionals and amateurs who have a strong connection to the local area – for its future plans. Visit artgroupwanstead.com...