Letter to Wansteadium: The Wanstead Yeti

Wansteadium reader Gabrielle Collard, a usually reliable source, writes: 

“Has anyone else noticed the yeti like cries echoing out of Wanstead? Usually in the afternoons, it sounds Chewbacca belching after a heavy meal. Sounds like it’s coming from the end of Nightingale Lane.”

As ever, intelligence is welcome via wansteadium@gmail.com

 

Anonymous writes:

Not only have we heard it, but we have seen it. Definitely frightens the wife. Also has been known to wander streets of Wanstead shirtless in summer. Often seen ‘presumably foraging for scraps’ near Toms corner shop in Wellesley Rd.

 

Hey, Prezzo coming to Wanstead?

© Geoff Wilkinson
© Geoff Wilkinson

Rumours are still spreading that pizza chain Prezzo is to open a branch at the former Conservative headquarters on Wanstead High Street (the building with the bust of Winston Churchill outside).

Though not confirmed, the move would make a certain sense. The company is still expanding, having opened a number of restaurants including Chingford at the end of last year, and now has 120 branches across the country.

And the factor seeming to make sense is that the company prides itself on opening in buildings which are “listed or of particular local significance“. The 18th century mansion, historically known as Manor House, is mentioned in W.V. Phillips’ Wanstead Through the Ages. Phillips, writing in 1949, says that while other historic houses in Wanstead were covered with a “soulless facade of shopfronts”, Manor House – which was by then tenanted by the Conservative Club – had “a reasonable chance of of being preserved for a little while longer from the unblushing assaults of the houebreakers or converters”.

He added that the house had two storeys with cellars and attics, and are enriched inside by “much fine panelling”. It was the base for Winston Churchill’s local party while he was MP for Wanstead and Woodford. Churchill died in 1965, and the bust was erected the following year.

That probably qualifies for Prezzo’s criteria, as does the availability of off-street parking. Comparing other local branches (Chingford and South Woodford) only makes the suspicions stronger.

Wansteadium has contacted the company to ask them if they can confirm the rumours.

New branch of Prezzo in Chingford
New branch of Prezzo in Chingford

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Wanstead v Jamaica: Caged cricket

Stephen Ramdial, facing one of the prisoners at Tower Street Prison (Picture: McLeary's Photography & Video Service, Jamaica)
Stephen Ramdial, facing one of the prisoners at Tower Street Prison (Picture: McLeary’s Photography & Video Service, Jamaica)

Last week we reported on the start of the tour of Jamaica by Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club, in aid of the Courtney Walsh foundation. The tour has now finished, but not without the team ending up in prison.

Club captain Arfan Akram reports:

“Monday 18th was one of the most amazing experiences for the group as the morning was spent at the Bob Marley Museum which was then followed by playing a cricket match against the prison inmates at Tower Street Prison, in one of the most dangerous prisons in the world. There were a few hundred inmates watching and the whole experience started anxiously but ended with much mutual respect between the inmates, guards and members of W&SCC. The Inmates batted first in a cage cricket match in a 15 overs affair match. The prisoners scored 187, with opener Mr. Linton scoring a mammoth 140*. The Herons were never really in it, and eventually lost by 30 runs. Some say losing was the safest way of escaping alive.”

A couple of days later, during which the team faced the bowling of Walsh himself, they headed for a T20 game in Negril. Akram continues:

“In typical Jamaican style, we arrived at 10.45am thinking the match would start at 11am, to be told that we were to have lunch before the match and the match will start at 1pm. So we went to [a] beautiful beach restaurant, Jack Sprats, and had lunch. We were also not told that current West Indian cricketers Jerome Taylor and Darren Powell were playing and opening the bowler, oh and also the match was being recorded for the National News. It’s fair to say we came second in a two horse race. The Treasure Beach Pirates scored 160 for 8 with Fayyaz Khan the pick of the bowlers getting both Jerome Taylor (stumped Jay Williams) and Darren Powell (caught first ball) out. Both dismissals were shown on National News TV. The Herons sadly didn’t bat as well, eventually all out for 72. However the hospitality and amazing location was definitely worth the visit.”

He added:

“The tour to Jamaica has been one of the greatest experiences, not many people can say they have played a game of cricket against prisoners in one of the most dangerous prisons in the world, let alone sit and talk to the inmates. This tour really could not have happened without the support of Michael Finlay from Ark Build Plc and Courtney Walsh. The Courtney Walsh Foundation really does go direct in to the community and work tirelessly giving positive change to those that feel have been forgotten in society.”

Courtney Walsh said: “I have visited Wanstead & Snaresbrook CC a few times in recent years including two amazing fund raising dinners and having had first hand experience of watching the amazing work they do in the local community gave me so much delight knowing they will be supporting the Foundation. I am now even more delighted that all 26 touring members have had an incredible time. Having spoke to most of the team, it really does please me that they have had such an incredible experience whilst in Jamaica. For me they are not the only ones who will have lasting memories, they touched so many hearts of those less priviliged in Jamaica these young people will never forget the visit. Already the visit has given me much motivation to continue the great work the Foundation does. I genuinly thank all the tourists and all the partners that have made the tour happen, we at the Courtney Walsh Foundation are honoured and touched and I hope our relationship continues for many years ahead.”

It’s coming home, it’s coming home

We knew it couldn’t last. When the Wanstead Comedy Night bizarrely relocated to Leytonstone last year, organiser Jon Fentiman did his best to put on a brave face.

fentimanIt was possible, he told us at the time, for the proud folk of Wanstead to venture outside the hood and remain psychologically intact. He encouraged the recitation of a mantra – “I am part of Wanstead and Wanstead is part of me. Knowing this helps me feel safe beyond the Green Man Roundabout” – and even imagining wearing a Judith’s dress to give the ego a boost to overcome the trauma.

Well, that was in May. Now we’re in February and are delighted to report that it’s coming home. From this Thursday evening, the Wanstead Comedy Night will be back in Wanstead – initially at the Eton Manor Rugby Club on Nutter Lane but from next month at its new regular home of the Wanstead Golf Club (ie this is change of venue to the report in the Wanstead Guardian).

The celebratory line-up for this return event will include Paul Sinha, who is a regular on Radio 4 and has just been commissioned by the station to produce his first series.

Paul_Sinha_3Tickets are £5. Rugby Club members and guests can pay on the door or phone Pete Finley to reserve a table (07896 940932). Non-members should call Jon on 07950 759587. More details at the Wanstead Comedy Night website.

Wansteadium now plans to resume its former practice of a post consisting of half-remembered best lines from the evening. Anyone contributing will win a keyring.

Letter to Wansteadium: Attention, wannabe culture vultures

Wansteadium reader Marian Temple (whose gardening exploits we covered here) writes:

This must be the best kept secret though why anyone would want to keep it secret is beyond me. DID YOU KNOW that our local Odeon cinema now shows all sorts of interesting stuff live from the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and the Royal Ballet? Phew!

Ticket prices range from £10 to £20ish, a fraction of the price you’d have to pay to be there at the theatre, not to mention the air fare to New York.
On the Menu until June are
Royal Opera House
Mon 29 April 19.15 Nabucco
Mon 27 May 18.45 La Donna Del Lago
Mon 24 June 19.15 Gloriana – Benjamin Britton
Royal Ballet
Thurs 28 March 19.15 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
The National Theatre
Thurs 23 March 19.00 Alan Bennet’s “People”
Thurs 16 May 10.00 “This House”
New York Met Opera House
Sat 2 March 17.00 Wagna’s “Parsifal (whoops! A long one 5hrs 40 mins – take your sandwiches)
Sat 16 March 16.00 Francesca Da Rimini
Sat 27 April 17.00 Handel’s GiulioCesare (Julius Caesar to you andme)

Live does mean live so you are sharing the experience with people sitting in cinemas all over the world with the added bonus that if somebody faints on stage, you’re going to see it. On second thoughts, maybe that’s not a bonus. A definite bonus though is that you have a chance to see stuff that’s booked up till the end of the run like Alan Bennet’s play “People”. The other thing is that you get so much more than just the performance.

I don’t know a lot about opera and I’ve always been put off by the price. Local live broadcast gives me a chance to sample more. I was especially interested in operas I’d never heard of. So it was that I went to see Maria Stuarda which turns out to be by Donazetti a vaguely familiar name.

Maria Stuarda is Italian for Mary Stewart, Mary Queen of Scots and the opera was based on the tussle between her and Queen Elizabeth the First. With such characters, the drama’s guaranteed. I was given with my ticket a sheet of info. with the plot and what happens in each scene so I was fine with that. The opera was in Italian but with subtitles so that was ok too. We started with an interview with the director. Then had a look to see the orchestra tuning up in the orchestra pit. There was a brief and enlightening conversation with the costume designer. Then the opera began. Wonderful music, soaring voices, fabulous stage sets, I was hooked! During the interval, there were more interviews with the main singers (you’d think they’d need a rest!)

All of this, SO interesting, giving you a real feeling for how the production had been put together. It was a wonderful experience for me and one that I shared with eleven other people. That’s right, there were just twelve of us in the cinema to see such a wonderful performance. Now why would the audience be so thin? It might just be because the publicity the Odeon is putting out for these live broadcasts is pretty thin. I think it is on their website but not very easy to find (you have to fight your way through popcorn offers first). How sad for our community if we missed out on having such world class productions just a short bus ride away for the lack of publicity. If we don’t use it, we’re likely to lose it. We must let the Odeon know
that we really do want this stuff. Their telephone no for booking is 0781 2244 007.