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One writer, one Interrail pass and a wildly over-ambitious, 37-stop journey to test railway accessibility in Europe. Wanstead-based travel writer Carole Edrich presents the second instalment of her Big Rail Story

Unless you’re in the Eurostar Business Lounge at St Pancras, waiting is a noisy, uncomfortable experience. Before the Thalys takeover, my points would have earned me access. Now that ‘frequent traveller’ benefit requires 70 trips in a year. That’s not frequent travel; it’s living on the train. The quiet corner I’ve waited in since then – the only quiet corner in the waiting area – is roped off. Elsewhere, there’s not even wall space to lean on. Proving overcrowding for an £80 article would need applications to seven different authorities. I give up.

They’ve told us they’re planning to turn Channel rail trips into a ‘turn up and go’ experience, where passengers can arrive ‘minutes before departure’ without crowding or excessive queues. A previous Eurostar CEO said it’s only reduced timetables that prevent daily queues as big as the ones at the Channel ports. The new EU Entry/Exit system needs 75 minutes, so ‘turn up and go’ feels as ambitious as Elmer Fudd catching that ‘wascally wabbit’ and Mr Magoo finding the right door. Hang on, I can’t find their feasibility study either – add Wile E Coyote catching the Road Runner on a Warner Bros or even Netflix screen.

Anyhow, at this point I realise my carefully planned minimal luggage (including prized UV flask and emergency sugar-free lemonade) is way too heavy. When the Paris train leaves, I finally score a seat and repack, shoving as much as I possibly can into my wheely bag while hoping I can manage the backpack all the way to my first overnight. ME (chronic fatigue) is such an unpredictable bummer, but I won’t give up. I browse through Stylist and see a gorgeous lime-green coat I don’t need, and Dior Capture Pro-Collagen Shot serum for fatigue that I do, but can’t afford. I give up.

I get talking to a man with Parkinson’s. With my Disability Review Magazine hat on, I ask what might make his trip easier. He says since stress makes things worse, more signage would help. Lack of help lifting big bags onto scanning machines when you’re disabled and your belt is in the x-ray tray is also a biggie. And he read there’d be enough to do while waiting for the train. Apart from musical chairs for seating and dodgems for refreshments, there is not. He and his wife take organised tours to minimise travel stresses. But Turin by rail entails a cross-city transfer in Paris, and that is famous for its stress. I don’t have the heart to say.

Here’s a hint. Get on Eurostar first if you want to keep your luggage on the floor nearby, or last to avoid the crush. Eurostar platforms aren’t announced until after trains are disembarked and cleaned, but you can work them out from the lifts the staff use 40 minutes before departure. Because I’m first in the queue, I get to put my luggage in one of the very few gaps between back-to-back seats. This isn’t rocket science; it’s hard-won ME management tactics. Genius? Me?

For relevant links to the places, to read more of Carole’s work or to listen to her podcast, visit wnstd.com/edrich

The City of London Corporation has begun mapping the lakebed of Wanstead Park’s dried-out Ornamental Water.

“We will be conducting borehole surveys across the lakebed to assess the below-ground conditions. This will help us to assess the lakebed’s capacity to hold water… and guide future conservation efforts,” said a spokesperson.

The Environment Agency is currently considering an application to pump water into the lake from the River Roding, with a decision expected later this year.

Work is underway to install a steel frame to support the Grotto ruins in Wanstead Park.

“The top of the Grotto is leaning; we need to stabilise it to ensure it remains secure. The steel frame will have minimal impact on existing brickwork and can be beneficial for any future restoration work,” said a City of London Corporation spokesperson.

The pathway behind the 18th-century landmark will be closed until project completion at the end of March. “Due to ground conditions, we will not be able to open the path at weekends.”

Wanstead Park’s visitor centre was reopened in January following three months of refurbishment work.

“This included repointing the brickwork and roof and repairs and redecoration to the windows, timberwork and the portico,” said a City of London Corporation spokesperson. Built around 1760, the building – known as the Temple because of its Classical temple design – is one of a few surviving buildings from the former Wanstead House estate.

The Temple will be open on 15 February from 11am to 3pm.

At the Woodford Historical Society’s February meeting, Jef Page will be exploring the origins of Redbridge street names, including Nutter Lane, home to one of the oldest houses in Wanstead

In 1653, Ilford stretched barely 100 yards along the High Road with just 53 houses, and Wanstead and Woodford probably had even fewer. This was, of course, because all the land was farmland, meadows and woods, with very few proper roads. For my talk this month, there are now many streets to choose from. I will start the talk with Ilford, then move on to Gants Hill (the derivation of its name), Barkingside (the cigarette estate), Wanstead and finish with Woodford.

Wanstead has a group of streets with connections to the former Wanstead House and the family names associated with it. The palace existed between 1715 and 1824. It was built by Sir Richard Child (1680–1750). George I ascended the throne in 1714 and granted Child the Irish title of Castlemaine, Kerry in 1718, so Child and his family were naturally loyal to the Crown. Road names with marriage connections include Draycot, Seagry, Mornington, Wellesley and Wellington. There’s no road named for Child (nor his wife Dorothy, née Glynne), but Tylney Road is south of Wanstead Flats. Catherine Tylney Long, eldest daughter of Sir James Tylney Long of Draycot, Wiltshire, married William Wellesley-Pole in 1812. He was the nephew of Wellington, and the Earl of Mornington was Wellington’s father. Catherine inherited the Wanstead House estate and was wealthy beyond words. She and ‘Wicked’ William bankrupted the family; the court’s judgement was that, in 1825, the house was to be “erased from the face of the earth” and so erase memory of the shame.

In 1880, the Cowley family owned large tracts of land and sold 184 acres of Wanstead Park to the Corporation of London for preservation as part of Epping Forest, and the rest was sold in 1920 to Wanstead Sports Grounds Ltd.

Nelson, Rodney and Victory roads and Trafalgar Place are close to Snaresbrook and Hermon Hill. Admiral George Rodney was a famous admiral when Britain ruled the waves. Admiral Lord Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, leading his famous ship HMS Victory to victory in 1805, though it cost him his life. No doubt residents were pleased to have these names selected and extol those heroes.

And, of course, we can’t ignore Nutter Lane. Originally George Lane, it was renamed Nutter Lane in 1934 following the construction of the Eastern Avenue. Richard Nutter was churchwarden of Christ Church (1853–1861) and lived with his daughters Mary, Gertrude and Jessie, who were great benefactors to Wanstead; in 1921, they gave the five-acre field opposite their house to the people of Wanstead for recreation and leisure. The sisters lived on the road until 1926 in a house named Applegarth, which is thought to have been built around 1710, making it one of the oldest houses in Wanstead.

Jef’s presentation will take place at All Saints’ Church hall in Woodford Wells on 12 February from 2.30pm (visitors: £5). For more information, visit wnstd.com/wdhs

Construction of the Wanstead Leisure Centre extension has experienced further delays, with the project now scheduled for completion in summer 2026.

The new 4,200-square-metre building will span three blocks, housing a 25-metre swimming pool, dance studios, a commercial kitchen and new classrooms for Wanstead High School. “We recognise that delays during complex construction projects can be frustrating,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Building work on the £20m project began in 2022.

February 2026 marks 200 years since the foundation of London’s first university. Local resident Georgina Brewis, who is professor of social history at UCL, has co-authored a new book that tells the story

By the 1820s, London had become the largest city in the world with over a million inhabitants. Unlike most other European capital cities, however, it had no university.

Access to England’s two universities, Oxford and Cambridge, was restricted to members of the Church of England, and the high cost of study meant they were accessible only by the very wealthy. Anyone of any other faith – at the time, England’s main religious minorities included Jews, Roman Catholics and Non-Conformists such as Quakers, Baptists and Methodists – was barred from higher education. The foundation of London’s first university in Bloomsbury in February 1826 is therefore an important moment for the capital. However, most general histories of London tend to neglect education, and research has overlooked the distinctive culture forged by a new type of higher education student. This new book tells the story of students in the capital over 200 years.

The self-styled London University offered non-residential, affordable education to the sons of middle-class professionals. There were no religious tests and the curriculum was much broader than at the ancient universities, including medicine, science, modern foreign languages and humanities. This was a radical step in the 1820s and the institution faced backlash from the establishment and a hostile press. The Tory newspaper John Bull repeatedly mocked what it called the “Cockney college”. At first denied a royal charter, the university could not offer degrees until 1836, when the government created the University of London as an examining body and the original institution changed its name to University College London.

What did the arrival of the London University mean for Wanstead and Woodford? For students from non-Anglican homes, particularly the area’s significant Quaker community, it certainly offered new opportunities. The modest fees and the flexibility of the curriculum meant boys and men (and they were only men until experiments with admitting women in the late 1860s) who were already working in a profession were able to study part-time. Around half of the first students came from homes in London or surrounding counties, including Essex, though Wanstead and Woodford were too far for daily commuting at this date. Walking was still the main mode of transport for most students when the university opened, so those living further afield took lodgings in Bloomsbury.

London’s public transport system developed rapidly during the mid-19th century, with horse-drawn omnibus routes and the Eastern Counties Railway improving connections to the east of the capital. By the 1880s, landladies in Wanstead were advertising convenient lodgings for students at the university.

Although facilities at the London University were basic in the early years, students took advantage of the capital’s museums and exhibitions. There were relatively few theatres and no music halls of the sort that were to flourish later, though taverns provided musical entertainment, and students living in lodgings enjoyed hosting their friends to simple meals. Boating on the river, cricket, the racquet sport of ‘fives’, ice skating and bathing were all popular among students. From the first session, students formed a range of debating and discussion societies, allowing them to engage in the reformist politics of the 1830s and 1840s. Yet London life could be lonely and overwhelming, as is clear from student recollections across two centuries, and for many from semi-rural homes, the bricks and mortar of Bloomsbury proved a shock.

Although it took decades to become fully established, the London University was to flourish. Students were unconstrained by religious tests and under only limited supervision, with unparalleled opportunities to invent their own traditions. Writing of the 1840s, one author suggested London was “at that time a much more awakening place of education for young men than almost any Oxford college.”

Student London: A New History of Higher Education in the Capital by Georgina Brewis and Sam Blaxland is published with open access by UCL Press. For more information, visit wnstd.com/student

Calvin Bailey MP has backed plans to reclassify over 1,000 homes in Aldersbrook as part of Wanstead instead of Manor Park.

“I’m happy to support constituents where an administrative issue is creating confusion or practical problems… I’ve agreed to engage with Royal Mail to explore whether the concerns raised about address locality can be resolved,” said the Leyton and Wanstead MP.

Royal Mail has confirmed the proposals – subject to a formal consultation – will affect 1,281 addresses in Aldersbrook that have an E12 postcode.

United by a shared vision for community art, Elsie Drew, Brenda Coyle and Laura Skye are pleased to introduce Cup of Art, a Wanstead-based art collective which the three friends hope will become a vibrant hub

Several years ago, I found myself looking for an outlet for my creativity. I came across an advert for a watercolour class in Wanstead, run by Brenda. I decided to find out more and it proved to be a great decision. Brenda is a fabulous artist and teacher with a warm and enthusiastic personality. The classes were not only fulfilling artistically but also socially. I met more aspiring artists, many of whom I am still in contact with, both locally and online.

It was here Laura and I crossed paths for the first time as watercolour newbies, and she has become a great friend over the years. We still attend Brenda’s workshops together, but we also travel far and wide. You can often find us on Chingford Plain, at Connaught Waters or in Epping Forest with our sketchbooks and paints. We also spend many hours in Wanstead Park sketching and painting the sky, the forest, the Temple and, of course, the bluebells of Chalet Wood when they are in bloom. Our flats are full of watercolour, acrylic, ink and crayon images. We always contribute to the art exhibition at the Wanstead Festival with Art Group Wanstead and take part in many of the pop-up exhibitions they organise.

Brenda, Laura and I now want to start our own community event. Once every three months, we would like to encourage local artists to come together and stage an exhibition of original artwork. This will not be a sales exhibition but an opportunity for the community to meet the artists over a coffee or tea and connect over a mutual enjoyment of the arts. With The George and Dragon kindly offering us a space to meet, and The Stow Brothers generously offering to help with the advertising, we hope this can become a regular event. There are so many creative people in Wanstead – painters, potters, mosaicists and sculptors – and we want to celebrate them and their work with you all.

The first Cup of Art exhibition will take place in The George and Dragon on 4 February from 12 noon to 4pm. For more information, email mbbcraft@gmail.com

A community project is being planned to revamp the hoardings surrounding the Evergreen Field construction site on Wanstead High Street, next to Christ Church Green.

“The hoardings could offer a canvas to reflect Wanstead’s character, creativity and community spirit throughout the construction period,” said local resident Bronagh Byrne, who is coordinating the initiative. “I contacted Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association [the developers] last November and they have been supportive and open to working with the community on this idea. The project is still at an early, exploratory stage and I’d love to hear from local residents, groups and organisations who might be interested in getting involved.”

A four-storey development, including a children’s nursery and 24 flats, is being built on the site. The work is expected to be completed by late 2027.

Call 07906 541 789 or email brobyrne@hotmail.com

In the third of a series of articles featuring images by the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, Anuraj Theivendram explains his passion for canine portraits

As publicity officer of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, I’ve felt privileged to share stories in this series about how photography connects us with our community. In earlier articles, I explored how images can celebrate local heritage and inspire creativity within our club. In this article, I highlight a passion that has personally brought me both joy and purpose: volunteering my photography skills at two remarkable dog shelters, Love Underdogs and All Dogs Matter.

Love Underdogs began after witnessing the harsh conditions faced by dogs in Romania, inspiring a mission of compassion and change. With the support of UK volunteers and Romanian partners, they’ve given countless dogs a second chance, turning despair into hope. Their team provides veterinary care, behavioural support and lifelong rescue backup, ensuring every dog has the best chance of finding a loving home.

All Dogs Matter is a dog rescue and rehoming charity working across London to transform the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs. Guided by care, commitment, collaboration and determination, their team and volunteers ensure every dog, regardless of age or breed, has the chance of a safe and happy forever home.

At its heart, photography is more than documentation; it is an art form that reveals emotion, character and story. Through light, composition and patience, my objective is to capture portraits that show each dog not simply as an animal in need, but as an individual with personality, resilience and charm. Volunteering in this way has been deeply rewarding. It’s a privilege to use my photography skills to help these underdogs shine, and to support shelters that believe, as I do, that all dogs matter.

If this series has inspired you with the power of photography, why not join the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society? Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned photographer, we offer a welcoming space to learn, share and make a difference through images.

For more information on the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society, visit wnstd.com/wwps

Derek Long tells the story of East Side Jazz Club, which started in 1994 under the leadership of former Wanstead resident Clive Fenner and has gone on to become a well-respected venue on the London jazz scene

Once upon a time, some 30-plus years ago, there was a philosophy lecturer who decided he wanted to learn to play drums. He started playing in the 70/80s blues/rock genre, but always wanted to play jazz, so he signed up for lessons. After a lot of hard work, he had the confidence to play in public.

The next move was to find a way of playing club dates, but he had trouble getting gigs with existing bands. He took a crazy leap of faith and organised a ‘club’ of his own; a room at the Heathcote Pub in Leytonstone to play with friends and colleagues, with a hope that people might want to come and listen.

That was Wanstead resident Clive Fenner, who for many years lived in a flat above the ladies dress shop on the High Street. He started his club on a very low budget with his own drums and a piano with a German-sounding name that was actually made in China, but the musicians he brought built that gig in the Heathcote into a popular local event. Until, so the story goes, the pub decided his patrons were too interested in the music and not spending enough money at the bar! So, he moved to a larger room at The Lord Rookwood pub by Wanstead Flats, and East Side Jazz Club became a regular Tuesday night gig there for over 10 years. Many Wanstead residents, fans from the Essex fringes and beyond came to see great musicians play to a live audience.

Clive was a hustler and persuaded some of the best musicians in the field to play with him, as long as he could always be on drums. Most famously that included local superstar Kenny Wheeler, a world-class flugelhorn player.

After several years of successful gigs, The Lord Rookwood closed down in dubious circumstances; padlocked, with the piano inside, requiring a cleverly mounted expedition to rescue it. Clive eventually settled on a new venue, the Ex-Servicemen’s Club (now The Social) on Harvey Road, Leytonstone, and it has since grown to be a well-respected venue on the London jazz scene.

When Clive sadly died some four years ago from prostate cancer, a group of his friends decided the club couldn’t die with him, and East Side Jazz is now more active than ever. It will be part of the London Jazz Festival this year, booking top UK and European players, plus young musicians starting their careers, every Tuesday night. That old Chinese piano has been replaced by a beautiful Yamaha that sounds great every time it is rolled out. In 2026, the club will be hosting musicians at the top of the UK jazz list, including Tony Kofi, Zoe Rahman, John Etheridge and many others.

Getting to the club from Wanstead is very straightforward, just a single stop away on the Central Line or 100 yards from the W13 bus stop on Harvey Road.

For more information on East Side Jazz Club events, visit wnstd.com/jazz