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Redbridge Council is proposing to introduce a road safety zone covering Aldersbrook and parts of Wanstead.

“As part of its draft Sustainable Transport Strategy, the council has committed to the implementation of road safety zones… to contribute to the goal of Vision Zero, which is the elimination of road deaths and serious injuries by 2041,” said Councillor Jo Blackman.

The Wanstead South safety zone – one of three across the borough in the first phase of the project – will see a speed limit of 20mph on all roads south of the A12 and north of Wanstead Flats. Implementation is expected within the current financial year, with additional zones set to follow for the rest of Wanstead and South Woodford.

Redbridge has an average of two road deaths and 88 serious injuries each year. If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph there is a 2.5% chance they will be fatally injured, compared to a 20% chance at 30mph.

Visit wnstd.com/20

In the first of a series of articles, Benjamin Murphy, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, reports on the improvement projects that will be getting underway in Wanstead Park this summer

Wanstead Park is a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden and has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 2009. In 1954, the Temple and the nearby Grotto were designated as Grade II listed buildings, while in 1970 the Wanstead Park area was designated as a Conservation Area. The Wanstead Park Conservation Area was added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2010, while the Grotto was separately added in 2017.

Over the next few months, work will begin on several heritage and conservation projects in Wanstead Park as part of our ongoing efforts to care for this much-loved historic landscape.

Thanks to donations from the Friends of Wanstead Parklands and Aldersbrook Families Association, the play area will be getting a facelift, including new play equipment, signage and a surfaced path to an accessible nest swing. During this time, the play area will need to be closed completely, and we hope to have the work finished this summer.

As readers may already know, the Grotto is in need of work to stabilise its structure to remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register. This essential work, led by the City of London Corporation as conservators of Epping Forest, will also begin this summer and is expected to continue until the end of the year. Works will include removing and replacing decayed bricks and loose pointing and reinstating new flaunching – the mortar base holding the chimney stacks in position. From a distance, these changes might not look like a lot, but along with a steel frame that will be erected at the back of the Grotto, they will stabilise the brickwork and ensure it remains in good condition.

As outlined in my January article, Wanstead Park’s British Isles-shaped ‘Map Tree’ has a pronounced lean toward the Ornamental Water and exposed roots at the base of the trunk (see picture). Sadly, these roots are being damaged from heavy footfall, so, in the next few weeks, a low fence will be built around this 200-year-old cedar to help protect it. The roots not only carry nutrients and water but anchor the tree firmly in the ground. Please help us preserve this much-loved specimen for as long as possible by keeping off the roots. There remains some optimism the tree may surprise us and continue for decades to come, but we are also making plans to plant a replacement nearby.

There are also several projects underway to improve the water resilience in the park.  Our new Wanstead Park Projects Officer is coordinating these to ensure their successful delivery over the next couple of years. More to follow on this in a future issue.

Throughout these important conservation and heritage works, some areas of the Park may be closed off to visitors, for your safety.

For more information and updates, visit wnstd.com/colc

Local artist Verity Watkins is fascinated by flowers – including Wanstead Park’s iconic bluebells – and celebrates their beauty through screen printing

Over Easter, the bluebells were out in all their glory in our beautiful Wanstead Park, and I visited there most days to enjoy these increasingly rare and delicate plants. There is nothing like an ancient woodland glade, in dappled spring sunshine, with a misty blue carpet of flowers.

Traditional English bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are defined by their arching stem and almost violet bells that droop in one direction, and this is what I’ve tried to capture in my screen print designs. They are also known as wood bells, wild hyacinths or fairy flowers, on account of the fluted bells that look charmingly like tiny fairy dresses.

I work on an occasional basis for the learning department at the Chelsea Physic Garden, the oldest botanical garden in London which started in 1673, just after the Great Fire of London. It gives me ample opportunity to observe the many plants that come and go during the seasons and I take a lot of pictures of these. Sometimes, I scavenge leaves, petals, nuts and berries from the streets around Wanstead or Wanstead Park itself. I’ve even knocked on someone’s door and asked if I can take a picture of their gorgeous flowers. From these, I create digital collage images, which I also turn into designs for cards. Sometimes, I just sit quietly and look. It’s amazing what you can see when you truly look; this is what nature teaches us, to appreciate the small details of the beautiful plants around us.

Screen printing can be a complex process, but I choose to do it at home on the kitchen table, cutting out traditional stencils, which encourages simplicity. I’ve always been fascinated by plants and flowers and the character they have when distilled into simple shapes. I use acrylic paints for their vibrancy and work fairly large, with anywhere between three and eight colours per screen print. These days, it’s fairly easy to recreate the look of screen printing using digital techniques, but it’s the real-life inconsistencies that give a screen print its character and joy. I usually start by intending 10 prints, but after some misaligning or soggy stencils, I usually end up with about five originals I am satisfied with. I then scan the image and create artwork to send to the printers to create greetings cards.

I have lived in Wanstead for 30 years and always look forward to the show of bluebells every year. It used to be a local secret. But sadly, the rise of social media has led to many more people coming simply to grab a picture of themselves with these iconic and joyful plants. Did you know that a bluebell once stepped on can take six years to recover? We all need to be careful to protect the natural heritage we have, otherwise, sadly, all we will have left are the pictures.

To view more of Verity’s art and to order greetings cards, visit wnstd.com/verity

Open-air theatre will return to Wanstead Park this summer.

The new season will begin on 14 June with a performance of The Wind in the Willows by outdoor theatre company Illyria.

This will be followed by the East London Shakespeare Festival’s production of As You Like It on 5 and 6 July.

Illyria will then return with Pride and Prejudice on 22 July and HMS Pinafore on 8 August.

All shows take place in the park’s Temple enclosure and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating and a picnic.

Visit wnstd.com/wp25

TfL has confirmed the W14 bus will once again stop at Woodbine Place.

“We regularly review our services according to feedback… We are now working to change the W14 westbound service so it stops at Woodbine Place,” said a spokesperson.

It follows TfL’s review of the W12, W13 and W14 bus routes, which were restructured last September.

The review – published last month – concludes the services have not been good enough, with the arrival of new electric buses in the summer expected to improve performance.

Visit wnstd.com/wr

As part of VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations, local historian Davis Watson will give a talk about the impact World War Two had on Wanstead

Eighty years ago this month, Wanstead joined the rest of the country in celebrating VE Day. Amid the jubilation, Wanstead could also reflect on a trying time that had seen residents pushed to their limits.

By the time war had been declared in September 1939, Wanstead, like many other towns across the nation, had been preparing in case of conflict. The Borough of Wanstead and Woodford had founded a local Civil Defence Service in March 1936 and when war was announced, 43 wardens’ posts, spread across six districts, were quickly confirmed.

Locations of posts in Wanstead included the entrance to Wanstead Golf Club, the grounds of the Weavers’ Almshouses and Nutter Lane, opposite the junction with Buckingham Road. Other well-known local sites utilised during the war included Wanstead High School for use as a field kitchen, Christ Church Green as a home for a temporary shelter and Hermon Hill Methodist Church hall as a rest centre to provide accommodation for bombed-out families.

Wardens dashed between these sites night after night as reports of bombings and fires were reported to the posts. One of their most memorable call-outs occurred in August 1940 when a British plane crashed in Hereford Road, bouncing off two houses before landing in the road and sending stray bullets through nearby walls; the pilot having baled out successfully, the sole injury was sustained by a dog.

A week later saw the commencement of the Blitz and Wanstead suffered heavily on the first night, chiefly around the Nightingale Lane junction of the High Street. Roughly 500 incendiaries fell in that area alone, which destroyed several buildings, including two houses on Grove Road (since renamed Grosvenor Road) and a block of flats at the newly built Shrubbery. Several properties on the High Street itself were also badly damaged.

In the meantime, other important measures were seen to; guardrails were installed at Eagle Pond to prevent pedestrians falling in during blackouts, a siren was installed at Wanstead Police Station to signal the start of a raid and the all-clear, and Reverend Godwin Birchenough, rector of the parish, reluctantly cancelled Wednesday evening services as they were frequently interrupted by raids.

In the midst of such action on home soil, countless local residents also received news of the death of loved ones on active service. Wanstead residents to die serving their country included pilot Arthur Lowthian Barge of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, who, in April 1943, crashed his plane into a tree in Wiltshire. Barge’s father, also named Arthur, was a local councillor who played a huge role in civil defence in the borough throughout the war, at one point serving as chief warden. A fellow military casualty was Battle of Britain pilot David Edward Lloyd, who passed away in March 1942 when he collided with a Polish plane over Hayes. Both Barge and Lloyd, among many other Second World War military casualties, are buried in the graveyard at St Mary’s, Wanstead.

1. Wanstead High Street.
2. Rescue workers rest after a bombing on Lake House Road on 19 March 1941.
3. The Shrubberies following bombing in the early hours of 8 September 1940.
4. Lake House Road following a bombing on 19 March 1941.
5. The Hermitage, Snaresbrook Road, bombed in October 1940.
6. Snaresbrook Road.
7. 12–14 Hereford Road after a British plane crashed in the street on 31 August 1940.
8. Evergreen House on Wanstead High Street following a bombing on 7 September 1940.

A talk entitled Wanstead at War will take place at Christ Church on 5 May from 3pm (free; no booking required). For more information on other local VE Day anniversary events, visit wnstd.com/ve80

A planning application has been submitted to redevelop two single-storey shops on Wanstead High Street.

The proposal involves demolishing the existing buildings – currently home to The Wanstead Barber Shop (1A) and the now closed Simple ‘n’ Natural shop (3A) – and replacing them with a development featuring a ground floor retail unit and three flats above.

evelopers say the new building will complement the surrounding architecture and will in-fill the gap within the existing three-storey terrace.

Visit wnstd.com/1a3a

Wanstead Park’s annual display of bluebells has attracted thousands of visitors.

“The bluebells looked magnificent and have gradually spread over the years with a helping hand in the winter from the Wren Wildlife Group, who maintain the pathways that protect these delicate plants. Thankfully, we haven’t noticed any new unwanted paths being created through the flowers. The stems, however, look shorter this year, possibly due to a lack of rain this spring,” said Gill James of the Friends of Wanstead Parklands.

Calvin Bailey MP has launched a petition calling for step-free access to Snaresbrook station.

“Step-free access is so important for our disabled and elderly residents and families with young children. Currently, people with mobility challenges struggle to make quick, everyday journeys from this station. Improving accessibility would not only support these residents but also boost local businesses by encouraging more people to visit Wanstead,” said the Leyton and Wanstead MP.

The petition – which is also gathering personal accounts of station use – will be presented to TfL and the Mayor of London to show why Snaresbrook is in urgent need of step-free access.

The station was used for over 1.8m journeys in 2024, whereas nearby South Woodford station – which was made step-free in 2019 – facilitated over 4m journeys.

Visit wnstd.com/stepfree

Art Group Wanstead member Heidi Stutt enjoys exploring the beauty of insects and the changing seasons through watercolour paintings

I began my journey as an artist in 2020, a time of uncertainty that led me to explore creativity as a means of expression and connection. Since then, my work has evolved into a deeply personal exploration of nature, nostalgia and emotion, often blending soft, dreamlike elements with darker, grungier undertones.

Watercolour has become my primary medium, allowing me to work with fluidity and unpredictability – qualities that reflect the themes I explore in my art. I enjoy the balance between control and spontaneity, often letting the paint guide me rather than imposing a rigid structure. Textural elements and layered washes help me create depth, while delicate details bring my pieces to life.

Wanstead’s landscapes and green spaces are a constant source of inspiration. I often paint Wanstead Park, its woodlands and the surrounding ponds, observing how the seasons transform familiar scenes. The soft haze of summer, the golden hues of autumn and the first greens of spring all find their way into my work.

My recent collection focuses on the intricate beauty of insects – particularly butterflies, wasps and bees. These creatures, so small yet vital to our ecosystems, hold a quiet significance in the landscapes I paint. I wanted to highlight their presence, capturing their fragility and resilience in equal measure.

For me, painting is about connection – both to nature and to those who view my work. I hope my art encourages people to pause, look closer and appreciate the small, ever-changing wonders around them. As I continue exploring Wanstead’s landscapes through watercolour, I look forward to sharing more of my interpretations of this beautiful, ever-changing environment.

For more information on Art Group Wanstead, visit wnstd.com/art

To view more of Heidi’s artwork on Instagram, visit wnstd.com/stutt

Haydn Powell from the Redbridge Cycling Campaign encourages you to get on your bike and head down to Wanstead Park next month to take part in Redbridge’s festival of cycling. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

On Sunday 11 May, Redbridge Cycling Campaign and other local cycle groups, including Cycle Sisters and Joy Riders, are organising a festival of cycling, suitable for all ages, abilities and styles of bike. This is part of the London Cycling Campaign Sunday Streets programme.

If you travel to many parts of London by any means of transport, you have probably noticed the number of cyclists moving swiftly between places, keeping healthy, fit and smiling. On seeing these happy cyclists, how many of you have said, ‘one day I am going to get my old bike out and start cycling again’? Over the last few years, several Redbridge cycling groups have encouraged people to do just that, getting them back into the saddle by offering:

• Free, one-to-one buddying to get you started.
• Gentle, sociable, marshalled group rides to help you gain confidence.
• Women-only rides.
• Advice on bike maintenance and purchase.

Next month’s Ride Redbridge will be a chance to get out the bike, pump up the tyres, oil the chain and go for a ride with other local cyclists. Bring along your family and friends. It doesn’t matter where in Redbridge you live, one of the nine starting points of the five marshalled rides will be near you (including Wanstead Park). The rides are designed for every cyclist in Redbridge. All rides will then converge at Fairlop Waters for a picnic.

Redbridge Cycling Campaign and Redbridge Council are encouraging us all to think about travelling sustainably. Most of us want to use sustainable forms of transport, but many of us are put off walking and cycling near busy, car-filled roads. Once we find quiet routes to use, walking and cycling become realistic options for shorter journeys.

We work with Redbridge Council to improve the cycling infrastructure in Redbridge and enable people to enjoy cycling safely. The social and environmental improvements that change can bring are clear to see in the low-traffic neighbourhoods and cycling infrastructure of Newham, Hackney, Walthamstow and central London.

Ride Redbridge will be a great way to explore leisure routes in all parts of the borough. All five routes will use parks, cycle paths and side roads as much as possible. We’re prioritising your safety by avoiding main roads and marshals will be present to help guide you across any challenging junctions.

The details of all the Ride Redbridge rides – along with future events – can be found on our website. Simply choose the ride and starting point which is most convenient for you. Bring your picnic and come and join us to feel the joy and freedom of cycling.

For more information on Redbridge Cycling Campaign and upcoming rides, visit wnstd.com/rcc

Step into spring with a visit to a local open garden. With so many wonderful National Garden Scheme gardens to explore, there’s something for everyone, says local volunteer organiser Teresa Farnham

With spring here, please think about visiting National Garden Scheme (NGS) gardens to get fresh ideas for planting or design; contribute funds to cancer charities; enjoy meeting new people; eat delicious cakes or buy new garden plants.

In 2024, the National Garden Scheme raised over £3.5m for cancer charities such as Marie Curie, MacMillan Cancer Support and Hospice UK. All from willing volunteers who open their gardens to the general public.

The nine gardens that were open locally last year raised over £5,000. Not bad going for opening on one day each! This year, locally, there are 18 gardens taking part. They are all very different and range from the tiny (Wanstead gardens) to an extensively planted two-thirds of an acre (College Gardens in Chingford, with plants and birdhouses for sale; my nesting robins were very grateful last year!) Another opening in Aldersbrook features a ceramicist who uses the plants in her garden to produce beautiful ceramic items.

As an NGS volunteer area organiser for 30 years, I am always amazed by the variety of the gardens I am privileged to help open. It is a treat to visit the gardens and see how much the visitors, as well as owners and helpers, enjoy the day.

Some garden owners have opened for many years, and after a break, Latimer Road in Forest Gate will once again open this year to stun visitors with its exuberance and diversity of plants. Harold Road in Leytonstone are looking forward to their 10th year and have made delicious jams, chutneys and cakes for sale as well as looking after a collection of 30 daphnes. Garden visitors are often amazed when they go through ordinary-looking town houses to view exuberantly planted gardens.

Both Tweedmouth Road in Plaistow (tiny and tropical) and Higham Street in Walthamstow (large and wildlife-friendly) gardens have been featured on BBC TV. New gardens open locally this year include a set of three gardens in Wanstead on Greenstone Mews and Voluntary Place, plus Rokeby Gardens in Woodford Green and Betoyne Avenue in Chingford. I hope they will add to the list of London open gardens for years to come.

So, please visit at least one of the local NGS gardens this year, or if you’re planning a holiday in the UK, why not look up a garden near your destination? Wanstead Library has free copies of the NGS booklet to take away or browse all the gardens online. And perhaps you will consider opening your own garden next year. If you do, I am happy to visit.

The gardens of 17 Greenstone Mews and 28 and 32 Voluntary Place in Wanstead will be open on 27 April from 2pm to 5pm (tickets: £5). Visit wnstd.com/ngs25

To contact Teresa for more information, email teresa.farnham@yahoo.co.uk