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Dr Emilia Smeds from the University of Westminster introduces the EX-TRA research project surveying opinions on Wanstead’s street space. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson

In June 2021, a colourful seating area appeared next to the Co-op on the High Street in Wanstead, where a couple of parking spaces had existed only weeks before. This Wanstead Mobility Hub was the second of its kind to be installed by Redbridge Council. The Wanstead Society, residents and local businesses had their say about it, with a diversity of perspectives. Now that the hub has been in place for nine months, we are revisiting the debate.

The Wanstead Mobility Hub provides a new seating area or ‘parklet’ for local people to enjoy the High Street. It is free for anybody to use, not exclusive to specific café customers. You might use it to take a break with your kids while out shopping or as a meeting point.

Redbridge Council’s vision for the space goes beyond this: it is called a hub because it offers many travel options in one place, allowing people to easily switch from one low-emission mode of travel to another. Next to the seating there is bicycle parking and a parking bay reserved for a car club vehicle. You could, for example, cycle to the hub, attend the farmers market, and then travel onwards in a car club car or by Tube. There is an electric vehicle charging point, serving both the car club and members of the public who can park their own electric vehicle in a reserved bay and charge it whilst shopping locally.

Our EX-TRA research project (Experimenting with City Streets to Transform Urban Mobility) is interested in the Mobility Hub because it was implemented as a trial to explore a new idea. An important issue is to what extent local communities are aware of such street space ‘experiments’ when many have been introduced quite rapidly since the pandemic.

Is the Mobility Hub a good use of street space? Should there be more of them in Wanstead? We are interested in all views, whether you like the hub or find issues with it. While the University of Westminster is collaborating with Redbridge Council and the charity Living Streets, our study is independent.

Understanding local opinions about the hub is only a starting point for a wider conversation about the future of local high streets. This is why our website includes a second survey about your views on streets in Wanstead and South Woodford more broadly, where you can place a pin on a map and comment on where you would like to see changes.

The pandemic has accelerated the redesign of London streets, providing more outdoor space for people (whether sitting, walking or cycling) rather than space for cars and parking. There is a finite amount of street space, so the question for the future is: what balance is fairest to make space for everyone?

In Wanstead High Street, that question has now arrived.

To take part in the street space survey, visit wnstd.com/extra. Residents can also speak to project interviewers, who will be at the Wanstead Mobility Hub on weekdays this spring.

For more information, email extraproject@westminster.ac.uk

The new café kiosk on Christ Church Green is set to open this month.

“The unit has now been delivered and installed. Work has begun connecting the electric and water mains, and we envisage the café to be fully open by Easter,” said a spokesperson for Vision RCL. The kiosk will not have an alcohol licence but will be able to serve alcohol at separately licensed events.

Redbridge Council has also announced a £2m investment in public toilets in parks, which will include the toilets on Christ Church Green adjacent to the new kiosk.

Wanstead-based knitting group Social Knitworks has created a new range of woolly poppies to show support for Ukraine.

“We normally knit and crochet to help vulnerable people locally. However, we felt we had to do something for our Ukrainian neighbours. So, we dusted off our poppy patterns and found a few new ones, but instead of red, we have developed a range in blue and yellow, priced £4 each. All proceeds will go to the DEC Ukraine Appeal,” said Liz Hickson.

Email lizzieofizzie@gmail.com

The Wanstead Society will celebrate its silver jubilee by planting a new tree on the High Street this month in a nod to the community group’s first project in the late nineties. Scott Wilding reports

Back in 1997, an average pint would cost you £1.10, a litre of petrol was around 70p and I was still at Wanstead High School completing my A levels. But this was also the year that the Wanstead Society was born, and so in 2022, we turn 25.

To celebrate our silver jubilee, we are planting a tree outside Gail’s Bakery this month, which we hope will live at least another 25 years.

We’d like to thank Redbridge Council, who helped with the logistics, and for allowing us to celebrate our anniversary in this way.

We felt a tree was the right way to celebrate rather than a formal celebration. Urban trees provide heat shade, soak up excess water and give food and shelter to local wildlife. One tree on its own, of course, makes only a small difference. But in the 25 years we have been active, we have planted over 40 trees right across Wanstead, including the ones that stretch from Snaresbrook Station to the junction of Hollybush Hill. These were installed in the late 1990s and are still going strong; it was one of our first projects, but far from the last.

In over a quarter of a century, we have planted bulbs on Christ Church Green, funded the Wanstead Community Gardeners and helped pay for numerous community projects. From part-funding bins to fundraising for the refurbishment of the children’s playground on the green, we have always aimed to put something back.

Our next 25 years will see more challenges, but none more so than the environment. It’s essential that we do what we can to support local, native wildlife and plant vegetation if we want to tackle the climate emergency. This is likely to be the one really big challenge we all need to contribute to. In July last year, flash flooding caused by severe heavy rain resulted in huge damage to local homes and businesses. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, it’s clear climate change is right on our doorstep, and in some cases, flooding over it and into our homes.

Our projects would never be possible without the help and support of Wanstead residents. As a volunteer organisation, we rely on our members giving their time for free. And it’s our members who, through generous donations and selflessly giving up their time, have made Wanstead just that little bit better.

So, we hope that over the next 25 years, we can continue making Wanstead even better still, and with your help, we will.

For more information on the Wanstead Society, visit wansteadsociety.org.uk or write to: Wanstead Society, c/o Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11 2NT.

In the ninth of a series of articles by those connected to Redbridge Lane West allotments – which are under threat from the adjacent gas works – we hear from former plot holder Gemma Sanderson

In November 2011, Wanstead Village Directory published an article sharing the enjoyment that my husband, Sandy, and I got from our little patch in Wanstead.

We obtained the allotment in 2007 when it was just a weedy patch of grass with poor-quality soil. It seemed a little overwhelming at the start, but Sandy gradually sectioned areas off into raised beds, where we could focus on improving the soil, and covered the paths with membrane and stones to keep down the weeds. We sifted the soil thoroughly in each of the beds to get rid of debris, grass and bramble roots. We also went and collected manure regularly from the local stables to combine with the soil. It was amazing to see what a difference this made to the quality and texture of the soil over the months and years.

Sandy and I loved the whole production process of growing our own fruit and vegetables, as well as the social aspect that came with the friendly site on Redbridge Lane West. There were a few well-established plot holders – who had been present when the Queen visited in 2002 – who gave us great advice in the early stages. Over the years, we went from being enthusiastic newbies to being sought out for advice ourselves. It also had a positive impact on my husband in terms of health and helped him get past the struggle he had with having to give up his career.

Sadly, in early 2012, Sandy became quite ill and was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. He deteriorated rapidly and I lost him in June that year. I really struggled for some time but found the greatest peace at the allotment, where we had enjoyed so much time together. We planted a crab apple tree on the site, in Sandy’s memory, alongside one for a fellow plot holder who we had lost the previous year. The allotment community was a huge part of what got me through that difficult time.

All the initial efforts put into the structure and layout made the ongoing work more manageable, and I was able to keep the allotment going for another four years, with help from fellow plot holders Sally and Ray. After this time, the wooden raised beds and structures were starting to deteriorate, and along with a need to downsize my property, I made the very difficult decision to give up my plot. But I still keep in contact with the many friends I made at the allotments.

A small amount of Sandy’s ashes were placed under a rose I planted for him at the allotments. Sadly, this rose is in the very area where I understand Cadent want to place a car park as part of their gas site upgrades. I will be sad to see all our hard work and memories demolished. I’m not sure Cadent realise how much time, effort and love has gone into each allotment plot over the many years.

To view Gemma and Sandy’s article from 2011, visit wnstd.com/sanderson
To view the petition to save the Redbridge Lane West allotments, visit wnstd.com/sta

A rescue package of works to restore Wanstead Park’s historic Grotto will begin this month.

“The Grotto was damaged by fire in 1884 and while it has had patchy repairs over the past 138 years, it has been badly declining and is on the Heritage at Risk Register. The edges of the landing stage have been crumbling. Major stones have been dislodged and the banks are now collapsing,” said a spokesperson for the Heritage of London Trust, which has raised £24,000 for the first phase of this project.

Visit wnstd.com/grotto

Local artist Chris Thomas explains the background to his exhibition of Himalayan landscapes on show at Wanstead Library this month

Nepal is a country in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalaya forms its northern border with Tibet. Its history has been filled with political instability and its geology unpredictable. Despite all this, the people have remained hospitable and welcoming, and the mountain scenery awe-inspiring. The people of the Himalaya belong to a variety of ethnic groups: Gurungs, Sherpas, Rais and a bewildering variety of other Tibeto-Burman nationalities.

I first visited Nepal in the mid-eighties and made a trek in Annapurna district. Since then, I have returned many times and trekked in the Solu Khumbu, Langtang and Annapurna districts on many occasions. Over the years, I’ve seen many changes with roads making ever deeper incursions into the mountains and hotels becoming increasingly sophisticated. The hospitality remains the same and the scenery is always spectacular.

For many years, I recorded my experiences with a trusty Pentax K1000 camera. Analogue moved to digital, and so did my photographic endeavours, but on the last couple of treks I decided to take a drawing book and water colour box to supplement my photography.

All the paintings in the exhibition were made in London using my own photographs and the visual notes I made while trekking. However, perhaps the most important references were the memories of these experiences.

When I was a student, drawing and painting the landscape was an important aspect of my work, and over the past couple of years that interest has been rekindled. I’ve always maintained an interest in the genre through looking at paintings, natural history and essays on aesthetics. Burke’s work on the sublime and the beautiful played an important role in my consideration while engaged in these paintings.

The paintings are concerned with elements of formal composition and the notion of the picturesque, with a reference to foreground interest and the inclusion of features such as habitation, architecture and cultural references in the form of prayer flags and chortens (Buddhist commemorative monuments).

The Himalaya has a limited reference to the context of the European landscape tradition. Explorers such as Joseph Hooker and Edward Norton made topographical renderings of the mountains. Edward Lear painted Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling. William Simpson made descriptive watercolours and Nicholas Roerich engaged the viewer in his mystical and romantic vision.

As Nepal was a closed country until the mid-20th century, it received few visitors, and those permitted entry were limited in their movement outside the Kathmandu valley. Photography became the preferred medium for travel and expeditions and, as a consequence, Nepal’s Himalaya has been largely neglected as a subject for painters.

Landscape painting is just one aspect of my interest in the visual arts; portraiture, the figure and narrative are also important parts of my work.

Chris’s exhibition of Himalayan landscapes will be on show at Wanstead Library until 20 March. For more information, visit christhomasart.co.uk

Art Group Wanstead member Blandine Martin explains why doodling on empty food packets became an additional artistic outlet for her during the pandemic

I’m Blandine Martin, a French artist based in east London. In my practice, I like to experiment with a multitude of materials, mixing traditional techniques such as weaving, basketry and woodworking with computer-aided manufacturing technology. Recently, laser cutting has enabled me to cut repeated patterns on fabric to create dream-like installations along with semi-sculptural textile work.

I’m fascinated by the fragility of memories, family themed work and the traces we leave behind. Sadly, I recently inherited some old family objects from my late mother. Some were found broken and rotting in the cellar, which made them easier to transform by giving them another purpose and narrative. It became very clear by working on the objects that I was also healing my own grief, which prompted me to include them in my textile show entitled 3am, the exact time my mother passed away. The exhibition – which will take place in July – will include the work of a new textile group called Material Difference, made up of seven artists who came together while doing the same textile course at City Lit.

Doodling has been a very important part of my practice for exploring patterns as well as ‘the running line’, which subsequently informed my textile work by means of digitally printed designs, including machine-stitched threads imitating those lines.

I started using doodling techniques on empty food packaging at the beginning of the first lockdown. It was a way to be creative at home without the need for studio space or tons of art materials. The packaging structure turned out to be the perfect base for drawing. The shape of the packaging also gives the drawing a sculptural dimension, which I really like. As an art technician in a secondary school, I have used doodling techniques with students as a mindful exercise tool and to explore abstracted forms without conscious effort. The students created some really fabulous, colourful, bold and dynamic landscapes.

I joined Art Group Wanstead a few years ago to meet others, share ideas and projects and to be inspired by like-minded people. Since the pandemic started, it became clear just how important it is to be able to join discussions in my local area. I must admit, I was blown away by how big the creative community is around here. Making art can be a lonely task, so to be part of a group can be beneficial in many ways.

Last year, I exhibited at The Stone Space in Leytonstone, displaying sculptures in their window. It was such a positive experience that I am currently looking for more exhibition space in and around Wanstead.

To view more of Blandine’s work, visit wnstd.com/blandine

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

Volunteers who help monitor the well-being of swans in Wanstead Park have urged dog owners to keep their pets under control, especially when the lakes are frozen.

“Earlier this month, many of the park’s lakes were iced over. The swans prefer to be on the banks away from the ice, but if they are panicked and run on the ice, they can acquire nasty injuries from skidding, and reaching them is tricky and dangerous for the rescuer. The ice is also risky for dogs if they run out after the birds,” said a spokesperson for The Swan Sanctuary.

Concerns have been raised over the safety of the zebra crossing on Wanstead High Street, opposite Christ Church Green.

It follows an incident last month when a pedestrian was injured, and in 2016, a 91-year-old man was knocked over and killed at the site. Redbridge Council is considering responses to a consultation on plans to make the crossing a raised ‘speed table’, but there are also calls to relocate the crossing, remove the trees that obstruct the view for drivers and pedestrians, or change it to a pelican crossing.

A public meeting to discuss the commercial use of Christ Church Green has been scheduled for 2pm on 12 March.

For details, click here.

Vision RCL is a charity that works in partnership with Redbridge Council to deliver leisure and cultural services. Here, chief executive Iain Varah offers some insight into the workings of the organisation

Vision RCL is an independent registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, overseen by a board of voluntary unpaid director trustees made up of community representatives and two local councillors.

As a charity, any financial surpluses Vision makes are reinvested to improve the quality of facilities and services and to deliver our charitable objectives. Vision aims to increase participation, accessibility and inclusivity across all of its services, as well as developing partnerships and sharing best practice.

The charity was established in 2007 and Redbridge Council decided to transfer a number of core sport and leisure facilities to the trust at that time. This was followed in 2008 by the transfer of the three remaining sport and leisure facilities, including Wanstead Leisure Centre. In May 2011, the council transferred a wider range of services into the trust, including parks and open spaces, nature conservation, libraries, arts and events, museum, heritage, hall lettings and grounds maintenance services.

Vision again expanded significantly in 2016 to incorporate Redbridge Music Service and Redbridge Drama Centre, the latter based in South Woodford. Wanstead and Loxford Youth Centres were also transferred in the same year. Vision also took on the operation of the dual-use school/community pool and sports facilities at Loxford School of Science and Technology, and a further leisure centre development at Mayfield School opened in 2018. In September 2019, Vision took over management of the Kenneth More Theatre.

Vision, as an independent charity, has access to a range of significant external funding that public bodies cannot access. On an annual basis, this figure is in excess of £800,000, but will be significantly increased with an Arts Council England grant of £1m from the Creative People and Places fund to be spent across Redbridge in partnership with a number of Redbridge-based charitable and voluntary organisations over the next three years. Vision now has over 750 employees and a turnover of over £20m, and is one of the largest and most diverse leisure and culture trusts in the country.

The formal relationship between Redbridge Council and Vision is defined by a Funding and Management Agreement in place until March 2026, as well as related leases, licences and other supporting agreements. As the council is under increasing financial pressure due to the reduction in government funding, the need to generate income to protect jobs, services and facilities has become more acute. The management fee from Redbridge Council has reduced significantly over time, and Vision has to generate income to fill the ever-increasing hole in finance between the management fee and running costs.

For more information on the work of Vision RCL, visit visionrcl.org.uk