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A total of 570 tree pits were adopted across Wanstead and Aldersbrook in 2020, and residents are now encouraged to reapply for 2021.

“It’s that time of year when residents can adopt tree pits to stop them being sprayed with chemicals and grow wild flowers instead. This can help bees and other creatures when they’re moving about – especially in places where lots of gardens have been concreted over. Adoptions are now an annual process – so even if you’re an old hand, you need to reapply… Just fill out a quick electronic form and the council will be in touch to provide a label for your tree,” said a spokesperson for Wild Wanstead.

Redbridge Council also has 400 packets of wild flower seeds to give away with adoptions, each sufficient for two or three tree pits. The deadline to apply is 31 December.

Visit wnstd.com/treepit2021

Wanstead resident Frank Charles is once again collecting toys and gifts for the children at Acorn Ward, Whipps Cross Hospital this Christmas.

“Ali at Wanstead Pharmacy (75–77 High Street) has agreed that unwrapped presents can be dropped off there. All donations must be new and suitable for ages 0 to 16 years please,” said Frank, whose annual appeal is now in its 17th consecutive year. The last day for dropping off presents at Wanstead Pharmacy will be Saturday 12 December, until 5pm.

Visit frankcharles.org.uk

Residents are invited to contribute to the Wanstead CARES (Community Appeal Rough sleepers Emergency Survival kit) appeal.

“Sadly, there is going to be an ongoing need to replenish our stocks of clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags as the demand will continue to increase in winter. We need men’s trainers, ski jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, sweat pants, jeans, pot noodles and lots of (new) socks and pants,” said Julie Harvey.

A collection will take place at Wanstead Cricket Club on 5 December from 11am to 2pm.

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Councillor Jas Athwal, and Borough Commander Stephen Clayman will be hosting a live webinar on 1 December to discuss their approach to tackling crime.

Councillor Athwal and Mr Clayman will highlight the initiatives the police and the council have rolled out to tackle local crime hotspots and update residents on how they have been dealing with domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour in the borough.

They will also be joined by Stephen Addison, founder of the social enterprise BoxUp Crime and the police burglary prevention team, who will be sharing their top tips on protecting your home this winter.

“Tackling crime in Redbridge is one of our council’s top priorities. We are working closely with the local police to prevent criminal behaviour and to catch perpetrators but we want to hear from local people. This public virtual meeting is a great opportunity to hear about new anti-crime initiative and tips to keeping safe over the winter and to ask any questions you might have. Everyone is welcome to ask questions during the meeting but to make sure we get a chance to answer them all, please submit questions in advance if you can,” said Councillor Athwal.

To submit a question, email pressoffice@redbridge.gov.uk by 27 November.

Residents can watch the webinar on 1 December, from 6 pm to 7 pm.

A fundraiser has been launched to pay for a bench on the High Street in memory of former Wanstead resident Jill Stock, who was tragically killed following a road traffic collision last year.

“As many of you know, Mum was one of the most community-minded people you could ever meet… Mum was a friend to so many, she would do anything to help someone in need,” said Jill’s daughter Kate Gloudemans.

Any money raised in excess of the £2,000 target will be used for other local community projects.

Visit wnstd.com/forjill

The lights on Wanstead’s Christmas tree on George Green were switched on early this year.

“The trees are normally installed with the lights ready to be switched on at community events. As there are no organised events this year due to government restrictions, it was decided to switch them on as they were installed,” said a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

Last year, more than 150 residents attended the switch-on event, when local milkman Steve Hayden flicked the switch to illuminate the tree opposite the station.

John Philips, Grazing and Landscape Projects Officer at Epping Forest, reports on the City of London Corporation’s successful cattle-grazing trial in Wanstead Park. Photo by Geoff Wilkinson   

In our modern world, there is a huge disconnect between the natural world, farming activities and the end-users who benefit from them. A generation or two ago, the memories will be stored of working the land, if only in the summer holidays as a reprieve from city life. This transmission of custodianship and behaviours around these land-based activities have sadly become a distant memory.

The social impact of the cows’ presence in Wanstead Park surpassed our expectations.  We had a huge response from local people wanting to get involved with the cows and have been continually taken back by the positive response from regular park users and visitors alike.

The park is not only a refuge for wildlife in an urban area but also for its local people. Getting to work with these large animals daily, it is not lost on me, the calming effect of seeing them in a natural environment, existing, free from the trappings of the human’s higher sense of self and expectation.   

The cows’ main job while in the park was to remove vegetation created from the carbon cycle and return it as plant and insect food. This removal around the anthills is especially important to allow solar energy to penetrate the earth to warm up the hills.

Acid grasslands are at risk and diminishing due to nitrification through air pollution and dog faeces, which allows more aggressive, faster-growing plant species to proliferate. The cows help reduce the vegetational mass in a patchwork, reducing competition for sunlight, which allows for slower-growing plants and grasses to survive. This patchwork of varying heights also creates habitat for insects to breed, hunt and perch.

The cows – Quinine, Nina and Nuru – have moved on now, having completed their work. Quinine – who is pregnant – will head back to our farm in Theydon Bois and will graze in adjacent fields to the buildings until she calves. Nuru and Nina are not pregnant, so will travel to Chingford Plain to graze until ground conditions start to deteriorate.

The trial has been a huge success and has secured grazing becoming an annual fixture at Wanstead Park, managed by the City of London Corporation. We would like to thank everyone involved, especially volunteers and local park users, including dog walkers who have had to modify their use of the park to help make this a success.

Wanstead resident Jean Medcalf has published her first poetry book at the age of 89. To Everything There is a Season is a collection of lyrical, spiritual poems about nature. In the first of a series of articles, Jean introduces Heartwood, a poem inspired by a special Wanstead tree

I have lived in Wanstead for 60 happy years. I first came to Wanstead as a newly-wed, having been married at St Mary’s Church. My husband’s uncle, Jack Medcalf, was then the parish priest.

When we first came to live in Wanstead, I discovered what a friendly place it was; like a village where everyone knows everyone. I never gossiped about anybody, as I was probably speaking to their relative or friend! It is the kind of place where people know the names of each other’s dogs.

When I first went shopping, the lady in the hardware shop asked how I was settling in. I wondered how she knew I’d just moved in – she turned out to be a neighbour. When I was expecting my first baby and went shopping in  Webster’s, the butcher whispered to me: “Just come to the front of the queue, and I’ll serve you first.”

One of the things I love about Wanstead is its beautiful trees. The avenues of trees, once part of the grounds of Wanstead House, the plane trees along the High Street that provide welcome shade as people stop to chat, the horse chestnut trees on the green that provide little boys with conkers every year.

And in particular, the 300-year-old sweet chestnut trees on George Green, some of which were sadly destroyed to build the M11 link road. I remember the people of Wanstead linking arms around the tree, defying the bulldozers and chainsaws. When it was felled, a great cry of grief went up from the watching crowd. I took a tiny piece of wood from its fallen trunk and kept it as a sacred relic.

I have loved poetry since childhood and have been writing poetry since the age of 14. I found it allowed me to express my deepest emotions, whether of joy or of sorrow.

When I was about 40, I discovered I had the gift of hearing trees speaking to me. This has happened to me several times and always with oak trees.

One very special tree stands out. Many years ago, I used to cycle to work through Wanstead Park each day, always passing a magnificent old oak tree. It was the ancient Repton Oak, which is 200 years old and dates back to the time when Wanstead House was a grand mansion surrounded by landscaped gardens. One day, I stopped to rest beneath it, sheltered beneath its spreading branches, quietly listening. I heard this poem in my mind – it was as if the tree was recounting its life story.

This is the story it told me…

Heartwood
by Jean Medcalf

Upwards soars my head to Heaven,
Deep my roots dug firm in clay;
Squirrels eat my acorns dropping,
In my branches build their dreys.
Lovers carve true-love upon me –
Hearts and tokens in my bark.
Sun and Moon pour brightness on me;
I am the same by day or dark.

I saw crowned Queen Boadicea
Saw the Romans come and go;
Humans change, but I am constant;
Tree above, and they below.
Springtime sees my youth upon me,
Dropping autumn leaves me bare.
Winter lends me hoary fingers –
I change only with the year.

Humans: know my powers to comfort;
Know that I can bring you peace.
Tranquil rest your soul within me;
From all cares I give release.

If you put your arms around me,
Hug me round my crusty bark,
Troubled head to dusty roughness,
Touchwood close to unquiet heart –
Then my Heart-Wood self will bless you,
From your heavy fears absolve,
Draw them deep into my own roots,
Strengthen you with oak resolve.

Know then: we are one forever.
You shall be ours when you are clay.
Abiding, loving, green in spirit,
Remaining Dryads all our days.

With the cancellation of Wanstead’s Remembrance commemorations this year, Colin Cronin is encouraging local children to create Wanstead’s first Poppy Trail and for us all to remember our fallen heroes

As Remembranctide approaches, our community’s thoughts turn again to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their names are forever etched in stone on Memorial Green and their memories held in the hearts of so many family members and friends who still live in Wanstead today. They are true heroes who, for our tomorrow, gave their today and remain worthy of the respect and honour we pay to them each year with the familiar words “at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.

Heroism very much envelopes us in the same abundance today as it did during those past conflicts. Our NHS and frontline workers fight against a foe that is equally deadly, stealthier and perhaps far more lethal. Like the fallen on our war memorial, many of them have given their lives during this battle to protect us and should be considered in the same heroic light as those who have gone before them.

We as a community must do our bit too, through social distancing, wearing face masks and to curbs that can sometimes seem cruel, unnecessary or frustrating to our normal ways of living. However, it is these curbs that will help us stem the tide, prevent spreading the virus and allow us to support our NHS workers in ultimately defeating this foe.

With that in mind, it is my profound regret that there will be no official Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day commemorations in Wanstead this year. There is no way to adequately maintain social distancing, prevent overcrowding or create a safe environment where this virus cannot spread amongst us.

We should still remember our heroes, however, so I am asking the children of Wanstead to please paint, draw or colour in poppies and place them in your front windows, next to your NHS rainbows, to create Wanstead’s very first Poppy Trail. The Memorial Green will also remain open for people to pay their respects and lay their poppies throughout Remembrance Sunday. However, we will operate a socially distanced queuing system this year with the entrance at the front of the memorial and the exit behind it.

I remain confident that Wanstead will come through this virus safer and stronger as a community from having worked together to defeat it. Until that bright dawn, for this year, let us remember in our own way all heroes who have given their lives for us and offer the prayer that we will all be able to come together again soon to commemorate them.

“As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust; Moving upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.”

The Epping Forest Consultative Committee addressed three issues for Wanstead Park last month.

“Firstly, the major work on the park’s lakes planned for 2024 has been reduced in scale following a recent flood risk assessment. Instead, a study into the relationship between the Ornamental Water and the River Roding was announced. Secondly, a new and expanded cycling policy will be introduced. Finally, the meeting proposed the adoption of a Conservation Management Plan for the historic Grotto,” said a spokesperson.

A Wanstead-based knitting group has created a range of woolly poppies to raise funds for The Legion. Just one way Social Knitworks is helping our community one stitch at a time, says founder Liz Hickson

The idea to set up the Social Knitworks group (despite the fact I am no knitter or crocheter!) came to me after walking past a horrific scene opposite Liverpool Street Station in December 2018. A homeless man had ruptured and died in his sleep. Witnessing that horrific sight on a cold rainy morning when I was on my way to work was something I couldn’t get out of my mind, especially as it was Christmas. And I wanted to do something to help vulnerable people in my local community – in particular, the homeless.

Bringing together a diverse group of local knitters and crocheters, Social Knitworks knits and crochets for a variety of local charities and projects. When we make a sale, 100% of the purchase price is donated to a local cause – with our primary focus being Wanstead’s Corner House Project, which helps support vulnerable people within our community, including the homeless.

However, since February last year, we have also produced countless items for Whipps Cross premature baby unit, as well as for full-term babies who are from less advantaged backgrounds. In addition, if you’re like me (and not a very good knitter), we make very simple squares which get made into cat blankets for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust. So, there is literally something for everyone depending on both ability and the type of cause that may be of interest to the knitter.

Prior to the arrival of COVID-19, we met weekly in The Cuckfield. On our first anniversary in early February, around 20 knitters came along to celebrate. When lockdown hit, we took to Zoom and then my back garden. We then returned to The Cuckfield before Tier 2 restrictions meant we were back on Zoom last month. We all now look forward to returning to real-world meetups!

As a group focused on the community, I have been amazed by the support we have received – including the people who knit, the people who donate wool, Lizi Arnold and her team at The Cuckfield and last but not least, the people who buy from us. I had the idea for the group, but everyone else has made my idea a reality.

With Remembrance Sunday around the corner, we are currently working on a range of knitted and crocheted poppies. Selling at £4 for a small crocheted poppy or £5 for a larger knitted poppy, purchasers have the choice of donating 50%, 75% or 100% to the Royal British Legion.^* If donating less than 100% to The Legion, the remainder will be donated to The Corner House Project.

*I am currently trying to confirm with the RBL whether I am legally allowed to split donations as described above. However, despite contacting the RBL several times by phone, online chat, email and Twitter as of writing (14/10/20) I am still awaiting a response. Should no response be received by 11/11/20, I will split donations as per customer wishes (with at least 50% of the purchase price going to the RBL). But please be assured 100% of the purchase price per poppy will be donated to either the RBL or a combination of the RBL and The Corner House.

The Wanstead Society is seeking to revitalise the iconic K6 telephone box outside Wanstead Station, with the Wanstead Community Gardeners high on the list of those wishing to put it to good use.

“This particular box has Grade II listed status with Historic England and, of course, it complements our beautiful Art Deco station perfectly. BT will decommission it, but leave the electricity for the top lights. Then it is ours to clean, paint and use. The project is in its early stages, but hopefully, by next summer, the shiny red kiosk will be brimming with plant life. Crowdfunding may be needed for the refurbishment, but possibly not for the purchase price – it’s £1,” said Eileen Flinter.

The K6 kiosk design was created by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.