featured

Donations are invited for this year’s Wanstead Community Christmas Gift Appeal.

“We know it’s a tough time for everyone and we really appreciate any help. We’ve put together an Amazon gift list for ideas, but unused secondhand items are also welcome,” said Suzi Robinson.

The gifts will be distributed to the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable people by local charities.

A drop-off event will take place on 29 November from 12 noon to 3pm at Wanstead Baptist Church, Wellington Road.

Visit wnstd.com/x25

In the fourth of a series of articles documenting the development of Wanstead’s Evergreen Field, Geoff Horsnell revisits the entire development cycle, from initial application to the halting of work and design amendments

The current application for Evergreen Field was submitted in 2023. As the plan involved more than a single dwelling, the Redbridge planning department declared it a ‘major application’. To all intents and purposes, this meant greater care should be taken when processing the various plans and documents, or so one might believe.

The application attracted a large number of comments – both objections and letters of support – and it was not until April 2025 that a decision was reached to accept the proposal. Attached to this decision were a total of 41 conditions. Some of these conditions simply stated things such as “work should begin within three years of the decision date.” However, a number of these conditions required an answer before the site could even be cleared, let alone for building to commence.

Over the weeks and months since then, various amendments were submitted to address these primary conditions. Various surveys were undertaken by different specialist firms to detail the biodiversity of the site; how the drainage would be managed; which trees needed to be felled and which could remain, and so on. Some of these reports contained errors; others were better presented, so that, to date, only a small proportion of the amendments have been approved. At the same time, the developers started work before some of the reports had even been submitted, leading to Redbridge enforcement halting the site work in June. At the time of writing, work has still not restarted.

The latest amendment to be submitted (amendment 14) is the most worrisome of all. It consists of some 22 plans and documents with a covering letter that admits a number of standard building regulations have not been followed. In order to fully comply with these regulations, a significant amount of redesign has to take place. The 22 documents and plans are rather technical, but include things such as party wall thickness and window size and lay out the detail of the various changes required. Given this is supposed to be a ‘major development application’, it does not show the developers in a good or professional light. Indeed, not even the Redbridge planning department have emerged with a spotless track record here. For such a major development, the planning department should have spotted the document errors and incorrect rules and regulations and been more focused and aware when dealing with the developers, architects and builders.

Perhaps there is even more to come to light here. It’s a case of ‘watch this space!’

For more information on the Evergreen Field development plans and to view the full application, visit wnstd.com/field

Award-winning composer and local resident Simone Spagnolo will bring his part-concert, part-theatre show Mr Baldocci to Wanstead this month.

“What happens when a piano virtuoso, a reel of fragmented memories and an old answer machine collide on stage? The result is Mr Baldocci, a genre-defying show that reimagines identity in the age of post-truth,” said Simone.

Performances will take place at The Wanstead Curtain on 21 and 22 November before embarking on a European tour in 2026.

Visit wnstd.com/mrb

This month’s Remembrance Sunday service in Wanstead will be more inclusive.

“I’m delighted this year’s service will broaden to include the United Reformed Church, Quakers and Humanists, alongside both the Catholic and Anglican representations,” said Colin Cronin, who has been organising the event for 10 years. “There can be no more fitting tribute to the fallen than those of different faiths and none joining together in harmony.”

The service will take place at the Wanstead War Memorial on 9 November from 12.30pm.

Local resident Shreena Patel reflects on a lifetime of witnessing racism evolve in East London, and explains why she’s now helping to lead the Wanstead and South Woodford Against Racism campaign

Iwas born in Leytonstone and I now live in Wanstead with my partner and two children. I am British-Asian, and for a small but vocal section of society, Britain is not my home and I do not belong here.

I grew up in East London in the 1980s and 1990s; my first experience of racist abuse was at aged five from someone in my class in primary school. The way racism manifested evolved as I grew up and it became socially unacceptable to be overtly racist. However, I feel that has shifted in the past few years, which is why I became involved in the Wanstead and South Woodford Against Racism campaign.

There has been a significant rise in far-right nationalism and populism in the United Kingdom over the past few years, which has been fuelled by the anti-immigrant rhetoric platformed by mainstream political parties. This has recently culminated with the largest far-right protest in Central London, and a campaign known as ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, which has seen St George and Union Jack flags illegally flying from lampposts. (The Highways Act 1980 prohibits placing or attaching anything to a public highway without consent and bans the placing of any items that could cause danger, obstruction or distraction.) Flags have also been painted on public structures across the country, including in South Woodford, Woodford, Epping and Leytonstone. This campaign has been positioned as an act of patriotism, but the intention is intimidation and division within communities. There has also been an uptick in race-related hate crimes nationally, which is reflected in the experiences of business owners and members of the public within Wanstead and Woodford.

Wanstead and South Woodford Against Racism is an initiative that was born from the broader campaign set up in Leytonstone in response to the St George’s Cross being illegally painted across the area. Wanstead and South Woodford Against Racism sets out to amplify the voices of the quiet majority that support and celebrate the existence of our diverse communities in East London. As a starting point, we have rolled out a poster campaign to counter the far-right narrative and show that our communities will not stand for any form of racism across religious or ethnic lines. You may have seen our posters in shopfronts along the High Street in Wanstead and George Lane in South Woodford. We have had a huge, positive response from businesses, particularly in Wanstead, but we still have more people to reach.

Our campaign is run by local volunteers and we are always looking for more people to get involved. Do get in touch if you would like to display a poster in your home or business.

The campaign is run by local volunteers and are looking for more people to get involved. Please contact wansteadagainstracism@gmail.com

If you would like to display a poster in your home, please visit the distribution hubs listed below. There is also have a GofundMe page if you would like to donate to support the activities www.gofundme.com/f/Wanstead-and-South-Woodford-Against-Racism

• Bare Brew, 7 High Street, London E11 2AA
• The Cuckfield, 31 High Street, London E11 2AA
• The Bull, 129 High Street, London E11 2RL
• Daisy, 121A High Street, London E11 2RL
• Harveys, 6 Clock House Parade, London E11 2AG
• Bal Beauty, Unit 1, The Cuckfield, Wellington Rd, London E11 2AL
• Touch of Class Drycleaners, 12a Station Parade, High Street Wanstead, London E11 1QF
• International Supermarket, 146-150 George Lane, E18 1AY
• XGadgets, 166 George Lane, E18 1AY

A double rainbow over Wanstead Park’s tea hut and the bluebells of Chalet Wood are among the images featured in a new Epping Forest calendar for 2026.

“Last year, we sold around 770 copies, raising just under £5,000 for the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, The Swan Sanctuary and Epping Forest’s own charity arm. With 17 stunning images, including five of Wanstead Park, I’m hopeful to raise even more this year,” said Don Taylor, who compiled the calendar.

A4 (£10) and A3 (£12) sizes are available.

To order, email taylordong365@gmail.com

In the 13th of a series of articles, Revd James Gilder of Wanstead Parish reflects on the history and importance of Christ Church and reports on the major grant that will secure its future

You may remember that, last year, I wrote about the plight of Christ Church’s tower. Those of you who know your history will know that St Mary’s Church, Wanstead’s parish church, was built on land given by the ‘big house’ in 1790 when Wanstead was an estate village. Yet, by the 1860s, and with the coming of the railway, the Wanstead we know today was beginning to take shape. New terraces of houses were being built and the High Street was becoming established, and it was clear all the new people coming to live here would need a new church, which would become Christ Church.

The rector at the time, Revd Fitzgerald (who Fitzgerald Road is named after) commissioned the soon-to-be famous George Gilbert-Scott to design him a new church. Work started in the late 1850s, with the children from Wanstead Church School all being trundled out to watch the foundation stone being laid. It wasn’t until 1891 that the whole church as we know it today was completed, and it wasn’t until the 1960s that its architectural merit was recognised with a Grade II* listing. Certainly, when viewed across Christ Church Green, it presents a charming sight: an archetypal Gothic revival church in a park-like setting.

Despite the Luftwaffe’s best efforts, Christ Church survived the war (albeit minus the majority of its stained glass, which was blown out by bombs) and is well-loved to this day. It has been the backdrop to so many family occasions, whether joyful or sad. It has been the place where countless schoolchildren have sung hymns and where thousands have said their prayers, whether at services or individually. It is open every weekday, and we are always pleasantly surprised by the number of people who come in and find peace and a welcome.

That is why I am so delighted to tell you the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to make a very substantial grant towards ensuring Christ Church’s building remains a safe and usable place for generations to come (subject to the smooth running of our forthcoming ‘development phase’ behind-the-scenes work).

We hope now to restore the outside of the building fully, particularly the tower. We also hope to make the interior warmer and better lit, to install toilets and a small kitchen, and much more besides. All this will mean that community groups of all faiths and none will benefit from the space in future, and that one of Wanstead’s most loved landmarks will be enjoyed by many generations to come.

To all of you who helped us in the hard work involved in obtaining this grant, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To contact Reverend James Gilder, email office@parishofwanstead.org

The Parish of Wanstead is aiming to raise £4,700 to fund the restoration of the Wanstead War Memorial.

“Since 1922, the memorial has stood as a testament to the sacrifice of those from the local area who died fighting for their country. It now requires significant restoration. The Portland stone has become stained, many of the names of the fallen have worn away and the base is tatty,” said Rev James Gilder. The money raised will be added to the £1,100 raised by VE Day anniversary events in May.

Visit wnstd.com/wwm or call 020 8530 8743

In the third of a series of articles documenting the development of Wanstead’s Evergreen Field, Geoff Horsnell raises concerns over how the amended plans will fit within the Wanstead Village conservation area

Do you remember the artist’s impressions of the proposed new building on the Evergreen Field? Well, think again! When finished, you won’t see much of the lower part of the building from certain angles.

The original plans showed some 24 flats above a ground-floor nursery and outside play area. Omitted from the artists drawings was the fence that needs to surround the play area for the safety of the children. Not only is the site on Wanstead High Street, a busy thoroughfare, but the children also need to be kept safe from any threat.

The developer’s answer to this conundrum is to place a brick wall around the play area. They have requested a wall in excess of 2.5m high, although as the site lies within the Wanstead Village conservation area, the regulations state that no wall, fence or gate can exceed 2m in height in such locations. From the latest diagrams available, it seems the play area is at the rear of the building and does not extend to the side or the front. Even so, a 2m high brick wall is incongruous in this context. Whilst it will mostly be visible from Christchurch Green, it does constitute a significant blot on the landscape. Unless the developer is planning some form of soft landscaping, such as covering the brickwork with greenery, the site will not enhance the conservation area one bit – especially next to the green! Perhaps it is time to suggest to the developer that such a use of the ground floor is not ideal for the area and that replacing the nursery with a set of shops might be a better plan.

The Redbridge Council planning department are well aware of this latest amendment to the plans but have so far decided not to share the details publicly. It is not even clear if they will discuss the excess height of the proposed brick wall. Will this be another example of the relaxation of conservation area rules?

As yet, there are no details of the proposed type of brickwork or any design or style within the wall, but whatever design is selected will not sit well next to Christchurch Green.

There is also the outlook to be ‘enjoyed’ by the occupants of the flats. How will they feel living in such surroundings? At the rear of the flats, they will have the sounds of children playing outside, amplified by the enclosing brick wall! The plans do show an ‘acoustic canopy’, but again, the plans are not very clear about the extent of this cover. At the front of the flats, the sound of traffic on the busy High Street will fill the air. And there may be no escape from the noise for future residents as the amenity space for each flat amounts to a balcony and a small space on the roof. As the roof also contains the housing for the lift mechanism, this may not be the quietest location either. An array of solar panels are also envisaged for the roof area and it is unclear how the space will be apportioned. If flat, solar panels can easily be damaged by residents inadvertently walking on them or worse. If angled to catch the sun better, they become a trip hazard. As the building is some four storeys high, any access to the roof means there must be guard rails or a parapet around the area. Again, such a protective measure is not shown in the plans.

For more information on the Evergreen Field development plans and to view the full application, visit wnstd.com/field

A survey has shown people are unhappy with TfL’s reorganisation of local buses.

Over 80% gave a rating of two stars or less, while 55% expressed complete dissatisfaction, giving zero stars. Within a week, the survey received 150 responses.

Comments included: “This public body is abusing its powers.” “My elderly neighbour is unable to reach a GP.” “My son can no longer get a bus to school – I have to stop work to drive him.”

The survey was run by residents last month on the first anniversary of the W12, W13 and W14 bus route changes.

TfL is being accused of sabotaging its ‘lifeline’ local route to deter passengers and drop the service. Donna Mizzi reports

TfL is strongly suspected of planning to abandon dependent Wanstead and Woodford bus passengers from quieter roads to chase higher profits on busier routes. That’s the conclusion of rational local residents regarding the W14 (formerly the W12) – an old route used by many local residents with no easy access to any other bus or public transport.

Now, a year after the smooth-running W-bus services were plunged into turmoil by ultra-complex changes, they say the public transport body has failed to adequately improve glaring problems with the W14. That is despite massive outcries from residents, followed up by the local MP, two London Assembly members and Redbridge councillors. Calvin Bailey MP even took the matter to Parliament this year. And former QPR footballer Peter Hucker, who runs a vintage shop on Nightingale Lane, said: “It’s definitely sabotage; people can’t use it.” He was echoing the words of many other residents.

The W12, W13 and W14 were reorganised in September 2024, creating a multitude of problems. But it is the W14 bus, from Whipps Cross to Loughton, that is the most consistently abysmal, say local residents. It has been gradually reduced from a 15-minute to an hourly service that is rarely on time. Two-hour gaps have been common; occasionally, three. Apps often fail to work. Residents with mobility problems have used the bus to go out and been marooned, unable to get back home. Residents say their elderly neighbours cannot wait endlessly in severe weather and others can’t wait as they need reliable transport for work and appointments. Some residents call it the “ghost bus”, saying it’s often empty as it is too unreliable and no longer reaches useful locations. Residents are going back to using cars or having to depend on neighbours – if they can. Many hundreds of households on the Nightingale Estate, spanning Wanstead and South Woodford, and around Snaresbrook Road, say they want their proper service back.

Other major faults with the W14 include:

• It stops short of Whipps Cross Hospital.
• For a full year, the boarding point at the Whipps Cross Interchange has been unmarked and unsheltered with no seats. Calvin Bailey MP has now secured assurances that W14 boarding will be moved to a sheltered stop.
• It does not reach the supermarkets and top side of George Lane, South Woodford.
• Bus stop timetables and mini-maps omit the Nightingale Estate and Snaresbrook Road – again affecting use.

The new W14 was even redesigned to miss the most useful end of Wanstead High Street, but had to head in that direction because local councillors refused to move a traffic island. At first, passengers cried out as the bus passed three useful stops, failed to halt, and then dropped them half a mile away by Snaresbrook Tube. Gradually, TfL relented. However, TfL only agreed to stop the W14 at Woodbine Place, near Wanstead station, on 30 August, despite the bus driving past that vital stop for a year. But, still, the W14 only stops there one way – so many residents can get to the station, but not get back, or vice-versa. Again, the W14 is undermined.

A quick online survey posted by campaigners on the anniversary of the changes asked respondents to give star ratings for TfL. About 150 people responded in a week. The majority selected zero stars.

The new W12 route, which now takes a detour around Leytonstone, does provide a more frequent service along some stretches, but inconveniences others with its far longer, more congested journey to the hospital. Residents say any TfL boasts about the new system are outweighed by leaving many people with no usable services.

Meanwhile, the lack of a W14 at school start and finishing times means many Woodbridge High pupils rely on the W12 instead. But the W12 buses used were too small to take the volume of pupils, and incredibly, they have now been replaced with even smaller electric W12 buses. After some worrying crime incidents, school staff have highlighted safety dangers for pupils when they can’t catch the bus. This issue has been followed up by London Assembly member Keith Prince, who said he plans to take the deputy London Mayor to the school. Slow to respond, TfL is now due to carry out a survey.

TfL chair and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been urging people to give up driving and use public transport instead. “But then, TfL takes away our buses,” say local residents.

What our elected representatives have done so far…

Calvin Bailey MP (Labour): Presented a parliamentary petition after inviting constituents to contact him. Numerous meetings with top TfL officials. Pushed for Woodbine Place stop and proper stop at Whipps Cross Interchange. Has demanded TfL provide its evidence on costings.

Keith Prince AM (Conservative): Arranged for bus route planners to join campaigners on a bus ride around the area last autumn. Lobbied TfL and London’s Deputy Mayor, and helped get the Woodbine Place stop reintroduced (one way). Followed up issues with elderly residents at Eagle Lodge, Snaresbrook, and Woodbridge High School. Raised questions to Sadiq Khan at the London Assembly.

Caroline Russell AM (Green Party): Called a meeting in Wanstead House to hear the issues. Has made the new director of buses aware. Plans to speak to campaigners to find best ways to pursue the issues.

Councillors Jo Blackman, Daniel Morgan-Thomas and Joe Hehir (Labour): Councillor Blackman states: “We have particular concerns about the adverse impact on hospital patients, schoolchildren, the vulnerable and elderly residents who relied on the W12 [now the W14] and believe that TfL’s over-reliance on data fails to take their needs adequately into account.” Redbridge Council Leader, Councillor Kam Rai, has also been involved in talks on the issue. Councillors opposed and showed concerns for bus changes, held a small Wanstead meeting, established the hospital did want the W14 within its grounds when TfL claimed it didn’t, and have spoken out in committee meetings. They liaised with the MP to achieve more stops by W14 in Wanstead.

But the big pivotal question was posed by another local councillor: “TfL won’t listen, so what can we do?” The answer may be pursuing much stronger controls over TfL, say campaigners.

To share your W-bus stories, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com

A member of the Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society has won the nature category of the Redbridge Photography Awards 2025.

“I took this photo in Claybury Park. I’ve photographed a lot in there over the years and through the seasons. This time, I was hoping for a few photos of the sunrise. Although I took this photo in the autumn, I hadn’t planned for the mist, nor for the dog walkers. It was one of those occasions where everything came together just at the right time,” said Alan Simpson.