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In the 15th of a series of articles featuring wildlife images from Wanstead Park and Wanstead Flats, Diane Dalli presents her shots of a Green Woodpecker

During a walk on Wanstead Flats, I was stopped in my tracks when I noticed some movement in the long grass. I had heard the laughing yaffle call of the Green Woodpecker several times that morning, and here it was, right in front of me!

It stuck its long beak into the soft mud searching for some tasty insects or caterpillars, then hopped up onto a small mound where it stretched its neck up and looked around. I was able to stand some way off as I had a long lens on my camera and took a few shots before it flew off with its characteristic undulating flight.

The Green Woodpecker is a very colourful bird with a green and yellow body and a red crown. The female has a black moustache marking but this is red on the male. Despite its vivid colours, it can be difficult to spot, especially when it lands in a tree. It uses its stiff tail feathers to support it as it climbs up the trunk in a series of hops, blending in with the foliage or lichen on the trees. However, it does generally feed on the ground in grassy areas, using its strong beak and long sticky tongue to help it find the insects it feeds on.

Woodpeckers are usually quite solitary birds, but as spring arrives, they look to pair up and build a nest. The male excavates the nest hole quite high from the ground and prefers the softer decaying wood of a mature tree, especially oak or ash. Four to six eggs are laid, which hatch after about three weeks. Both parents take turns at incubation, and when the eggs hatch, they also take turns feeding the young in the nest.

The Green Woodpecker is just one of the many species of birds that can be seen on the Flats, but it is one of the most appealing and always delightful to see, hear and photograph.

To view more of Diane’s wildlife photos, visit wnstd.com/dalli

Residents are encouraged to ensure they are registered to vote in time for the local council elections taking place on 7 May.

In Redbridge, 63 members of the council will be selected, contested across 22 wards. Wanstead Village and Wanstead Park are represented by three and two councillors respectively. The deadline to register to vote in person is 20 April. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 21 April.

Visit wnstd.com/reg

With a recent outbreak of bird flu in the Docklands, local swan rescue volunteer Gill Walker encourages residents to follow simple safety precautions while continuing to feed our feathered friends

There have been confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in some parts of England. Since the threat of bird flu seems to be getting higher and nearer, it may be the right time to remind ourselves about health and safety measures we can all take whilst visiting, feeding and enjoying our local swans, geese and ducks.

As bird flu is transferred through contaminated bodily fluids secreted from the beak and nostrils and is found in droppings, do not feed wild birds by hand. But please do keep feeding the correct, healthy foods to keep the birds fit and their immune systems strong. Feeding will also stop birds from moving to new locations in search of food and potentially spreading the disease. Grain, oats, peas, sweetcorn, swan pellets and brown bread are suitable. Put food in shallow water or use floating food in deeper water. Do not put food on the ground where the birds will be in direct contact with each other’s saliva, mucus and faeces.

Contaminated droppings can be spread on footwear, wheels, walking-stick ends and food containers, so disinfect anything that has been in contact with the ground where you visit waterbirds after each and every visit, and, of course, clean your hands. I recommend plastic-free Safe4 disinfectant and hand wipes, which are DEFRA approved as effective against the bird flu virus.

Please keep dogs out of the water and on a lead near waterbirds to avoid contact with any sick or dead birds.

If a bird is infected, swans, juveniles and cygnets will be lethargic, sleepy and may not want to feed. They will likely be on their own and show signs of a droopy neck and glazed eyes. Swans frequently present with neurological signs, including head shaking, twisting of the neck and swimming or walking in circles, and breathing distress, such as a gaping beak, coughing and gurgling. Other species of ducks and geese may show minimal clinical signs of the virus.

Many smaller wild birds can carry the virus without showing symptoms. So, if you feed garden birds, remember to clean your feeders weekly with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Rotate feeding spots to prevent the build-up of droppings in one area and keep water sources fresh and clean.

These precautions can help to prevent the spread of the virus. But please also remember not all birds that look or seem unwell have Avian Influenza. They may have been in a flying accident, a territorial fight, suffered a fishing-related injury or may be unwell for another reason. As always, please call me if you are concerned about the welfare of any local waterbird.

To report an injured or sick swan or other waterbird, call 07970 404 866

A newsletter charting construction work on Evergreen Field is available to view online.

A four-storey development, including a children’s nursery and 24 flats, is being built on the Wanstead High Street site.

“Foundations were poured in March and April’s tasks will be focused on groundworks and infrastructure,” said a spokesperson for Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association.

The scheme also includes the creation of a new landscaped area, which will be incorporated into Christ Church Green.

Visit wnstd.com/efnews

A carpet of native English bluebells will once again return to Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park this month.

“We remind visitors to please keep to the designated pathways through Chalet Wood and take care not to step on these precious flowers… As with any wildflowers in Epping Forest, please do not pick the bluebells,” said a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation.

The park’s bluebells have gradually spread over the years, thanks to Wren Wildlife Group volunteers, who maintain the pathways that protect the delicate plants.

Epping Forest staff and volunteers from the Wren Wildlife Group have installed a rope fence around two areas of Wanstead Flats in anticipation of the Skylark breeding season.

“These incredible birds are London’s closest returning ground-nesting species. These conservation measures aim to provide the space they need to nest successfully, free from disturbance… please walk around the roped areas to help safeguard these special birds,” said a spokesperson.

The temporary barrier will be taken down in September.

In the fifth of a series of articles featuring images by Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society members, Anuraj Theivendram takes a look at Arnie Göbel’s long‑running Windows and Doors of the World project

If you’ve ever wandered through an old town and found yourself pausing at a beautifully weathered doorway or a brightly painted shutter, you’ll understand the heart of Arnie Göbel’s long‑running photographic project. His series, Finestre e Porte del Mondo (Windows and Doors of the World), celebrates the character, craft and quiet poetry found in windows and doors across the globe.

The Italian title, he says, simply felt right, as it reflects the passion and artistry that so often shape these architectural details. The project began almost by accident. During regular trips back to Germany to visit his mother, Arnie would use the quiet afternoons to explore nearby towns and villages. One visit to the Brothers Grimm town of Steinau an der Straße was enough to spark a fascination that has never left him. Since then, he has photographed more than 280 windows and doors from over 60 locations in 18 countries, each one chosen for its charm, texture or sense of place.

Arnie now prints many of these images as small, framed miniatures, as well as larger pieces and floating prints. They have become a distinctive part of his creative output, sitting alongside his landscape work, abstract architecture, wildlife photography and occasional live‑music shoots. He also produces product photography for clients, which shows how far his skills extend beyond personal projects.

Photography has been part of Arnie’s life since childhood. His first camera was a Kodak Box Brownie, followed by an Olympus OM10 that travelled with him from Germany to South Africa and eventually to the UK. After years with Canon DSLRs, he moved to the Olympus OM‑D system in 2017 and has stayed with it ever since.

A long‑standing member of both the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society and Art Group Wanstead, Arnie brings a thoughtful eye and deep appreciation for the stories hidden in everyday details. His work reminds us that beauty often sits quietly in front of us, whether in a peeling shutter, a sun‑bleached doorway or a lovingly tended window box, simply waiting to be noticed.

If Arnie’s passion for seeing the world differently sparks something in you, why not come and meet the society behind so much local creativity? Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society welcomes photographers of every level, from complete beginners to seasoned image‑makers. You will find a friendly group, weekly inspiration and plenty of encouragement to explore your own way of seeing.

To view more of Arnie’s work, visit asg-productions.co.uk

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

In the first of a series of articles, Susan Allison reflects on the 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.

St Cuthbert
Sewn by: Susan Allison
Dedicated to: James and Kitty Todd

The whole ‘Kneelers for Christ Church’ project is the result of an experience Susan Allison had with her parents, James and Kitty Todd, whilst in a previous parish in Surrey. Kitty and a group of other women joined together to make large patchwork wall-hangings and kneelers for their church. James was also actively involved in the design and colour-matching of the hangings and the kneelers. However, other than sewing their initials on the side of the kneelers, there was no record made of who the initials referred to, who had been involved, what the design referenced and why, and Susan realised she was now the only person alive who held that information. Which is why, when she overheard the rector talking about new kneelers for Christ Church, she spoke up and said it was important the information about the crafters be recorded as part of Christ Church’s legacy. The design of this kneeler is Saint Cuthbert, the patron saint of Durham, which is where James and Kitty were born and married.

Wanstead Community Kneeler
Sewn by: the community
Dedicated to: Pat Beckwith and Richelle Speers

This is dedicated to two employees of the company who supplied the kneelers, Pat Beckwith – who, until her retirement, gave wonderful guidance and support at the start of the kneeler project – and Richelle Speers – who had the misfortune of having to pick up where Pat left off and steered us through to the end of our stitching. The design of this kneeler is free-flow. It started at the Wanstead Festival in September 2024 with anyone, especially children, coming to make a few stitches wherever they liked, in whatever colour they wished and recording their details for the future. The kneeler then toured various local venues for the young and old and all in between to produce an amazing, vibrantly unique design. The oldest stitcher was 94; the youngest (with help) was six months old.

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

The Friends of the River Roding’s Wanstead and Woodford local group are on a mission to restore the river and its tributaries, one bag of rubbish and one forgotten stream at a time. Derek Seume reports

In late winter and early spring, river guardians such as the Friends of the River Roding can really get stuck into clearing up our blue spaces. Over the last few weeks, we have been hard at work, taking advantage of the seasonally reduced undergrowth before the nesting season begins.

In the Woodford and Wanstead area, we have been litter picking like never before, in particular, targeting the area around Charlie Brown’s Roundabout, which suffers from rubbish being thrown out of car windows from the flyovers overhead. This either gradually degrades the soil or blows around until it finally makes its way into the Roding, down to the Thames and ultimately out into our oceans. Our lovely little corner of the world here in northeast London is but a tiny part of a far wider ecology.

In our first four litter-picking sessions of 2026, we extracted some 114 bags of rubbish, but we are literally only scraping the surface. It will take several more sessions to clear the area even superficially, but sadly, the reality is there are no doubt several further layers of rubbish beneath the soil in places. Realistically, we can’t get to all of that – and indeed we must tread carefully so as not to disturb the species that have made their homes among our mess – but at the very least, we are striving to improve the aesthetics of the local area. If the eyesore is allowed to fester, so too does the impression that it’s acceptable to treat our green and blue spaces as one big rubbish dump. Litter begets litter.

Further south, between the river and Roding Lane South, we recently discovered a forgotten stream, hidden deep within woodland. Its source is unknown (we presume there is a spring somewhere that has been covered by a road or housing), but it meanders a short way through the woods towards the main river itself.

Our volunteers cleared the choked stream of rubbish and silt, dug a couple of pools to improve its flow dynamics and cut back brambles and ivy to allow more light into the water. Once we were satisfied we had brought the tributary back to life, we continued picking up litter around its vicinity, finishing the day with another 80 bags of rubbish. The stream – which we’ve unimaginatively named Redbridge Stream for want of an official title – already looks much healthier, but we will revisit it over the coming months and years to see how it develops and supports native species to thrive.

If you feel inspired to get involved and help us in our mission to restore the River Roding and its tributaries, please get in touch for information on future volunteer days and other ways you can contribute.

For more information on the Friends of the River Roding, visit wnstd.com/fotrr or email river.roding@gmail.com

As local election day approaches, Calvin Bailey MP urges residents to ensure they turn out to vote and encourages us all to be more engaged with local politics

On 7 May 2026, Wanstead will join the rest of London in heading to the polls to vote in the local government elections. Except many of us won’t. Local council elections have notoriously low turnout: only 45% of the Wanstead Park ward electorate voted in the 2022 local elections, with Wanstead Village voters seemingly less engaged with a 43% turnout (although these figures were higher than many of the other wards across Redbridge). This is all despite the fact our councils have a huge impact on our everyday lives and our community.  

As an MP, I know first-hand that local councillors often have a far greater ability to influence the day-to-day lives of constituents than I do. Your local council is responsible not only for waste collection and planning applications, but also for local education, social services, social housing, traffic management, environmental health and the provision of cultural services, amongst a whole host of other things.

Your local councillors represent the voice of your community when deciding how these services should be run. Councillors act as the link between the public and the council they are elected to serve. Despite this, many people don’t appreciate the enormous impact their local councillors can have on the quality of life in their community, and low voter turnout likely stems from a lack of awareness about the responsibilities of local government.

As with MPs, councillors are usually members of a political party, though some may choose not to belong to any party and are called independents. Redbridge is divided into 22 wards with three elected councillors for 19 wards (including Wanstead Village) and two councillors for three wards (including Wanstead Park), making 63 councillors in total.

Local councils across the country face significant financial pressures, limiting their ability to operate effectively. Outer London boroughs such as Redbridge have experienced pressures relating to population growth, housing patterns and demand for service. Despite these constraints, councils must continue to deliver vital public services, manage local infrastructure and continue to help shape and structure our communities.

No council is perfect, and that’s partly because far too many people disengage from local politics. If we want better local government policy, services and representation, we must take part in improving it. We can’t watch from the sidelines; we must use our vote. So, if you are not already on the electoral register, please register. The deadline to register for the May local elections is 11.59pm on 20 April, so don’t leave it until the last minute!

You can register to vote if you’re a British citizen or an Irish citizen. For more information, visit wnstd.com/register

A public meeting will take place this month to discuss plans for an art project to revamp the hoardings surrounding the Evergreen Field construction site.

“The High Street hoardings could offer a canvas to reflect Wanstead’s character and creativity throughout the construction period. I’ve had some really good traction for the idea and would like to take this forward,” said local resident Bronagh Byrne, who is coordinating the initiative.

The meeting will take place on 21 March from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Christ Church.

Call 07906 541 789

An embroidery workshop inspired by women who have sparked change will take place at Wanstead Library as part of Women’s History Month celebrations.

“Learn about influential women and draw inspiration from their words, stories and impact. You’ll be guided through simple embroidery techniques to create your own embroidered hoop featuring empowering quotes or original designs,” said a spokesperson. The family-friendly workshop will take place from 1.30pm on 31 March (£3 per embroidery set).

Visit wnstd.com/threads