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In the third of a series of articles, Susan Allison reflects on a community project which created nearly 50 kneelers for Christ Church, each with a story to tell and each recording a snapshot of present-day Wanstead

This community project got underway at the Wanstead Festival in September 2024, when stitching began on the first kneeler. Over the following 12 months, another 40-plus kneelers were stitched by numerous members of the community, celebrating the diversity of people and experiences in our village.

Every kneeler (or hassock) tells a story. Working with a uniform deep-blue background, kneelers were either purchased directly from stock, modified or uniquely designed to mark a person, business or organisation in Wanstead. Some people chose to purchase and work on their own kneeler, some sponsored a kneeler for someone else to work on and some were purchased
through a generous bequest from John Sunley, a former member of Christ Church’s congregation.

The kneelers were presented to the church in October 2025, along with a guidebook that is available to purchase (£5; in aid of the church tower restoration fund), but the project is not over yet. We are now preparing an exhibition of the kneelers and their stories, which will be on show at this year’s Wanstead Festival. All project documents will then be collated and archived. This project demonstrates Christ Church’s community engagement, a vital component in securing funding for the refurbishment of the church and the restoration of the church tower.

Horse Chestnut Leaf
Sewn by: Claire Metcalfe
Dedicated to: Bert Hamilton

Bert Hamilton (1919–2005) grew up in Walthamstow before moving to Wanstead in 1952 with his wife, Gwen. A dedicated member of Christ Church, he was deeply involved in both community service and local government. During World War Two, Bert served in the RAF Technical Branch before transferring to the RAF Volunteer Reserve, where he remained until 1954. He later became an active member of the RAF Association, chairing the local branch for several years. A respected public servant, Bert served as a ward councillor for Wanstead for 25 years from the establishment of the London Borough of Redbridge in 1965. He was Mayor of Redbridge (1978–79) and served as Deputy Mayor three times. The design of this kneeler reflects the Redbridge borough logo. Bert was a strong supporter of numerous local charities and organisations. In 1993, he began organising coach holidays for the elderly of Redbridge, arranging hotels, outings and evening entertainment.

Time for Tea
Sewn by: Wanstead Women’s Institute
Dedicated to: Wanstead’s women

When the information about making new kneelers for Christ Church went out, Wanstead Women’s Institute members were asked if they would like to take part by funding a kit and taking part in sewing if they wished. They voted to do so. Once the kit had been chosen and purchased, it was passed around to those crafters who felt confident working on it alone. It was also worked on at meetings by novices, helped by experienced stitchers. ‘Time for Tea’ seemed an appropriate design for the WI, plus it had lots of small areas that different individuals could complete without being too daunting. Wanstead WI has a membership of around 100.

For more information on the project, visit wnstd.com/kneelers

Wanstead is home to one of England’s most successful amateur cricket clubs, boasting national titles, thriving juniors and a vibrant community, says Helen Pattington from the club’s volunteer team

Did you know one of the most successful amateur cricket clubs in the country in recent years is located at the end of a short path off Overton Drive? Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club has been based there for over 100 years.

The men’s first eleven won the National Club Championship in 2017, and have regularly reached the latter stages of that competition over the last 20 years. In the last season alone, the men’s first team reached the semi-final of the National Club Championship, the final of the National Club T20 competition (having won the Essex T20 Competition), finished third in the Essex Premier League and reached the final of the Essex League Cup. And that’s just the first eleven!

Wanstead Cricket Club was founded in 1866.  Its first ground was on a piece of land near George Lane Station behind the Fir Trees public house, when the club was known as Woodford. A decade before its foundation, the railway line from London to Stratford had been extended to Loughton to service the new estates being built in the area, which created a huge demand for sports clubs.

Wanstead now puts out six men’s league teams every weekend, as well as two women’s teams on Sundays and many junior teams (both boys and girls) ranging from under-9s to under-19s. Training for the juniors takes place on Thursday and Friday evenings during the summer under the guidance of qualified coaches, and on those evenings, whilst the juniors train, the parents are able to socialise in the clubhouse. Players come from Wanstead and other nearby areas and we are proud to be a diverse organisation with over 600 members across all levels.

Whilst most players just enjoy the ability to play socially, several from the club have attracted the interest of professional clubs, including Robin Das, who is currently on Essex’s books. Where juniors show they have a talent for cricket, the club’s links to the counties enables them to potentially find a career in the game.

Off the field, the club runs social events for members, and last year linked up with the Wanstead Fringe. Club members have also set up and participated in overseas tours, most recently to Pakistan last year. The club has a cricket week each year, normally in the first week of August, and a game against the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is often part of that. Although players contribute financially through membership and match fees, the club is grateful to its many local sponsors for their support, particularly our principal sponsors Bradley & Co. The club is run by volunteers, many of whom give considerable amounts of their time to keep it running so well, although more volunteers are always welcome!

For more information and to get involved with the club, visit wnstd.com/cricket

Wanstead milkman Steve Hayden has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his outstanding work in the doorstep dairy industry and for his contribution to the community. Here, Steve reflects on 42 years in a job he loves

I first caught the bug for being a milkman during my schooldays, helping out a local milkman at weekends and during school holidays. I loved every moment of it. People often say a milkman is born, not made, and perhaps that was true for me.

After finishing school, I worked in a factory. However, I soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. In 1984, I took up a job as a milkman. Over the years, I worked for three different dairies before joining Parker Dairies in 2006. I was fortunate enough to be assigned the Wanstead round, where the community welcomed me warmly and helped me settle in. Although my mornings begin at 2am, with a 3am start at the depot in Woodford Green and deliveries beginning at 4.30am, working in Wanstead makes the early hours worthwhile.

The Wanstead community has been incredibly supportive, especially during difficult times such as when my wife passed away 10 years ago. Residents have shown their appreciation by turning out in their hundreds to support me when I switch on the Christmas tree lights on the green by Wanstead Station, and when I raise money for charity by taking Santa around the streets of Wanstead on my milk float. I’d also like to give special thanks to Parker Dairies for their support, as without them, none of these events would be possible.

Over the years, I have witnessed some unusual events during my daily rounds. I saw a bird of prey snatch a pigeon, encountered a motorist in a fairly new car struggling to get up an icy Wigram Road while my 43-year-old milk float ascended effortlessly, and even saw burglars being chased by police on Preston Drive.

I regularly chat with dog walkers, pedestrians, joggers and others out and about. On two occasions, I noticed milk deliveries left untouched and managed to save two lives as a result; one individual was 83 at the time and went on to live until 101!

I enjoy plenty of fun and banter with local residents, often revolving around football teams. As a people person, I meet many individuals who wave or stop for a chat during my rounds.

After 42 years in the job, with four children and 10 grandchildren, I could never have imagined it would lead to a community award from the Mayor of Redbridge last year and now the Freedom of the City of London. I love my job and cherish the connections I’ve built within the Wanstead community. I am a proud Londoner and want everyone to share in my happiness. My job may not be for everyone, but receiving this award means the world to me. All in all, working in Wanstead is both special and rewarding. Watching children grow up, go to university, start their careers and build families of their own has been wonderful. Thank you, Wanstead. Here’s to many more years to come.

For more information on Parker Dairies, call 020 8520 5943 or visit parkerdairies.co.uk

Wanstead Beer Festival will return for one day of great ales, local flavour and good company, with a special festival brew, charity fundraising and plenty to raise a glass to, says Paul Donovan

The fourth Wanstead Beer Festival is nearly upon us. This year, Christ Church halls and grounds will transform into a beer paradise for just one day, Saturday 10 October. So, reserve the date, tickets will soon be on sale.

It is intended to bring an even wider range of beers and ciders this time. There will also be a special Wanstead Beer Festival beer, brewed just for us by Sambrook’s Brewery’s head brewer. So, that’s one to look out for.

The aim is once again to keep costs down, so most beers will be around the £5 a pint mark. A few specials might be a bit more, but they’ll be worth it! Funds raised will again be split between three local good causes. The River Roding Trust has already been selected as one of these. Thanks must go to the great support from local sponsors, pubs and breweries. So, lots to look forward to.

Last year’s event – which was attended by a record 950 people – raised £4,203 for local charities.

These, though, are tough times for the hospitality industry. Business rates, tax on alcohol and rising wages all make the challenge of keeping going that much greater. The government has recently provided some relief to pubs, but there is long way to go. A pub a day closed in England and Wales last year.

One interesting development of recent years has been the growth of the micropub. These premises often amount to not much more than a front room. They usually provide a number of local beers and ciders, plus gin and wine. The food is basic, often something like scotch eggs or pasties. Also, often a ban on mobiles and other conversation-averse technology is another plus. So, in some ways, a beer festival-type menu on a permanent basis.

Micropubs began developing in Kent a few decades ago, but have now spread all over the country. My own favourite is the Waterworks in Rye, Sussex. The Waterworks used to be a public toilet, but it has transformed since 2018, winning many awards and plaudits.

Micropubs seem less popular in London, but surely their time is coming. The growing overheads and desire for a good-value drink, plus great company, surely means a micropub would work around here. Let’s hope someone takes up the challenge. For now, the Wanstead Beer Festival and our fine local pubs will have to suffice. But what these outlets prove is that there is a great demand for good ale, food and company. If you want all three in abundance, come to the Wanstead Beer Festival on 10 October.

The Wanstead Beer Festival will take place in the halls of Christ Church on 10 October from 1pm to 11pm. For more information, visit wnstd.com/beer

The Wren Wildlife Group’s annual Wanstead Wildlife Weekend will take place on 20 and 21 June.

“This year, in honour of our patron Sir David Attenborough, our events will focus on young people. To quote Sir David: ‘If children don’t grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it. And if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it.’ There will be pond dipping, a moth reveal, dragonfly and butterfly walks and many other events in Wanstead Park and Flats,” said a spokesperson.

Visit wnstd.com/wren

The Wanstead Community Gardeners have expanded their social media activity, inviting residents to follow their work at various flowering locations around Wanstead.

“Alongside our usual beautiful photos of the patches and gardens we work on, new features now include ‘plant of the moment’, showcasing stand-out seasonal plants in bloom, ‘volunteer spotlight’, highlighting the people behind the community effort and ‘historic plants of Wanstead’, exploring the stories behind some of the area’s flora,” said a spokesperson. Posting on Facebook and Instagram, the group will also be placing greater emphasis on practical gardening advice, sharing tips followers can use in their own gardens. “We’re posting most days. There is so much going on, there’s always something new to see!” The group holds regular working parties and welcomes new volunteers of all experience levels.

Visit wnstd.com/wcg

Three English Longhorn cows returned to Wanstead Park earlier this month and, for the first time, they are being allowed to graze across the dried-out lakebed of Ornamental Water.

“It’s a powerful example of using nature itself to protect this historic landscape. It is critical to stop roots damaging the banks and islands while we tackle the long-term challenges affecting the park’s 300-year-old water system,” said Caroline Haines, Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee.

Visitors are asked to stay off the lakebed.

Volunteers assisted the City of London Corporation in clearing 20 bags of rubbish from Snaresbrook’s Eagle Pond earlier this month.

“This community litter pick in the pond and the surrounding forest land was eye-opening and a reminder of how much litter still exists. It was a really rewarding day. The volume of rubbish we collected shows how much of a positive environmental impact initiatives like this can have, helping preserve our precious environments for communities and wildlife alike,” said local resident Katriye Ibrahim.

In the seventh of a series of articles featuring images by Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society members, Anuraj Theivendram looks at David Tyrrell’s award-winning work

Within the vibrant community of the Woodford & Wanstead Photographic Society (WWPS), few photographers embody quiet excellence quite like David Tyrrell. Long admired for his thoughtful compositions and calm, observant style, David has recently enjoyed a remarkable run of success, winning the club’s 2026 landscape and wildlife competitions. These achievements highlight not only his technical skill but also his instinct for capturing moments that feel both intimate and expansive.

David’s landscapes are shaped by atmosphere and emotion. Whether it’s mist drifting across rolling hills or the rhythmic symmetry of a lavender field at sunset, his images invite viewers into scenes that feel contemplative and immersive. His winning landscape entry exemplified this sensitivity, balancing light, structure and serenity with effortless clarity. His wildlife work carries the same quiet attentiveness. The award‑winning image of two monkeys poised together on a tree trunk, their expressions alert yet unguarded, reveals David’s ability to wait for the moment where behaviour and environment harmonise. Even in close‑up studies, such as his beautifully lit oyster mushrooms, he finds sculptural elegance in the natural world, elevating small details into striking visual stories.

Last year also saw David expand into astrophotography with a breathtaking Milky Way composition. Set above a ridge of silhouetted observatory domes, the night sky arcs across the frame in a luminous sweep of stars and cosmic dust. It’s an image that blends scientific curiosity with artistic vision, demonstrating David’s willingness to explore new techniques and push his creative boundaries.

As a long‑standing member of WWPS, David is deeply woven into the society’s culture of learning and shared growth. He values the constructive critique of competition nights and the camaraderie of club outings, where ideas, techniques and inspiration flow freely. His generosity to newer members reflects his belief that photography thrives when knowledge is shared.

Through his work and his presence within the society, David Tyrrell exemplifies the spirit of WWPS: a community where passion meets perspective, and where photography produces not just an image, but an invitation to feel.

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

Over the past 100 years, Wanstead Central Bowls Club on Nutter Lane has blended tradition with modern spirit, welcoming players of all ages to its renowned green. Colin Foster reflects on the club’s centenary

The club owes its origins to the Nutter family of the early 1900s. Richard Nutter was churchwarden of Christ Church. His family 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.

A bowling green first appeared on the site in 1926. Initially, the club was known as Wanstead Churchmen’s reflecting its connection to the church, but later became the more general Wanstead Central. Cine camera footage from the 1930s has survived to this day. The men playing are wearing flat caps, fedoras or boaters, suits, blazers and raincoats. In the second half of the century, the game became increasingly popular. Clothing style was formalised to include the more familiar white trousers or skirt, white shirt and tie and club blazer. Bowls even started to appear on TV.

The 1980s saw an influx of players that spurred the club on to compete on a bigger stage. Wanstead Central began to have success at Essex level. The clubhouse became a second home to many members, who invested their time and money in improving the facilities. Ultimately, the members took over the maintenance of the playing area. Now boasting one of the best grass surfaces in the area, the club is regularly used as a venue for internal and inter-county matches.

When a team of our ladies reached the national finals, it started a tradition the members continue to strive for and achieve to this day. Winning through this far is the pinnacle of a club bowler’s sporting career.

During the 1990s and 2000s, bowling was popular in many Redbridge parks. Wanstead Central became a strong club and was recognised for its success. The 2010s saw a gradual reduction in local clubs. Wanstead Central bucked this trend and became the home to some very successful players, including at least one who has gone on to play at England level.

To appeal to a greater audience, the game has modernised by adopting more appropriate clothing, coloured team strips and coloured bowls. This has helped to reduce the old-fashioned view of the game. Wanstead Central embraced these changes. Amongst my favourite club pictures are the ones of members imitating Usain Bolt’s lightning pose from the 2012 Olympics, showing the great team spirit in the club.

Bowls is an ideal sport for all ages and abilities who need low-impact exercise, fresh air and social activity. Our current players range in age from teens to 90s. We would like to welcome locals to join in and continue the game on the green, green grass of Wanstead Central.

Wanstead Central Bowls Club is located on Nutter Lane, Wanstead, E11 2JA. For more information, visit wnstd.com/wcbc or call 020 8505 7806

Wanstead’s May Music Festival returns to St Mary’s, uniting the community with a vibrant mix of concerts, guest performers and a joyful singalong celebration. Festival director Alison Wells reports

This year’s May Music Festival at St Mary’s is our fourth one. I love the way it brings the community of our parish and of our wider neighbourhood together. It’s so good to see people coming back each year and enjoying the concerts we put on. Thank you for supporting us, and I hope you will be with us again this year.

I’m also very grateful to our sponsors, who have supported us this year too, investing in their local community. And, of course, very grateful to everyone who helps run this festival; it wouldn’t happen without you!

We have an exciting and varied programme this year, with performers coming from near and far (see the poster opposite for a full timetable of events). Saturday will be an informal day with a short piano recital by Forest Gate’s Lewis Kingsley Peart. Lewis will be introducing his recital of romantic piano miniatures by Schubert, Chopin, Sibelius and Grieg. This will be followed by an interval for food and drink, after which Wanstead’s very own Joe Walters, with Josh Warren – a duo called The Ageing Balladeer – will entertain us with their dreamy mix of voice, piano and violin with songs about getting older in a strange old world. The concert will be outside – weather permitting – and the bar will be open throughout.

Sunday is your chance to shine! We will be performing shortened versions of two of Gilbert and Sullivan’s famous and popular operettas: Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore. We have a fabulous line-up of soloists for the main characters, and smaller parts are filled too. But we need a chorus. Members of the parish choir will form the basis of the chorus, but we’d love you to join in with us! Copies of the music will be provided on the day. If you’d like to sing them, you can come along to the rehearsal at 2pm, or you can just turn up and sing along at the performance, which will start at 6pm. It promises to be a lot of fun. So, all you G&S fans, roll up, dust off your vocal cords and come and join us.

Finally, Monday’s performers are Rune Medieval – an ensemble of young professionals who all specialise in music of the Middle Ages. They will be hotfooting it from Yorkshire, where they have a concert the previous evening. They have an enticing programme of music telling the stories of four saints of the period through music and words. You’ll see lots of instruments that we don’t see in the concert hall today.

Tickets are available for booking now, either for each individual event or as a season ticket, which represents very good value.

See you at the end of May!

The May Music Festival will run from 23 to 25 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit wnstd.com/may26

From Winston Churchill to Wanstead Flats, Jane Skelding and other local historians will host an evening of historical insights to mark Local and Community History Month in Aldersbrook

The Friends of St Gabriel’s Local History Night returns on 7 May. This year, we will be taking a look at people who have influenced Aldersbrook and Lake House. My talk will examine two very different figures who brought the area onto the front pages of the national press: Winston Churchill and a progressive St Gabriel’s vicar, Cecil Clarke.

It is well known that Winston Churchill was the MP for the area from 1924 to 1964. This was firstly for the Epping constituency (1924 to 1945), which actually stretched from Epping down into Aldersbrook, much of which was part of Wanstead ward (the rest of the estate falling under East Ham). When Epping was divided into two as part of a boundary review in 1945, the new Woodford parliamentary constituency (later Wanstead and Woodford) encompassed the Borough of Wanstead and Woodford as well as the Urban District of Chigwell, and Churchill stayed MP for the new Woodford seat until his retirement in 1964.

However, even before Churchill became MP, he had close ties with Aldersbrook, the area at the very tip of his constituency, and continued these ties throughout his career. Using newspaper and archival material, the talk will describe Churchill’s key moments in the area, from the burial of his nurse, Mrs Everest, in the City of London Cemetery in 1895, to speeches in the new St Gabriel’s church hall in 1927, to the tree his wife Clemetine Churchill planted in his memory in Wanstead Park in 1965.

Another, less well-known Aldersbrook figure who also caught the attention of the national press in the 1930s was the Reverend Cecil Clarke, vicar at St Gabriel’s between 1936 and 1939. In his brief time, Clarke managed to alienate the congregation with his progressive views, including cancelling Sunday school.

Reverend Cecil Clarke also screened an anti-war film on Armistice Day and was an advocate of communicating with a modern congregation through film. Many of these events found their way into the Daily Mail and other papers. I will be taking a closer look at Reverend Clarke’s ideas and asking whether he was wrong to make so many changes or if he was just ahead of his time.

In contrast to these famous (or infamous) figures, Mark Gorman and Peter Williams will be sharing their recent research into the local unemployed labourers who built many of the features we now take for granted on Wanstead Flats. One hundred years ago, without machinery and often in harsh winter conditions, these workers created much of the landscape we know and take for granted today. “When the City of London took over Epping Forest in 1878, the southern area was in quite a mess… There was also an economic depression, and local worthies formed committees to support unemployed labouring men and women. These Relief Committees organised public works projects and had a big impact on the area,” explained Mark and Peter. Among the work carried out was the creation of Alexandra Lake on the Flats and the enlargement of Heronry Pond in Wanstead Park by hundreds of labourers working only with hand tools. These works – funded by local politicians in East and West Ham – were a different sort of politics to the speeches of Churchill and show how local government had an impact on the environment.

There will also be stalls from local history societies (Ilford, Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone and the East of London Family History Society), and St Gabriel’s Church archivist and church history group will all be on hand to answer your questions. Refreshments will be available.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Friends of St Gabriel’s, who are raising funds in aid of the Community Hall renovations.

Aldersbrook and Lake House Local History Night will take place on 7 May from 6.30pm to 9pm at St Gabriel’s Church in Aldersbrook (tickets: £7; under-18s: free). Visit wnstd.com/7may26