Exotic Wanstead wildlife (photos)

Wansteadium reader Matt Keen writes:

“On a run round the Ornamental waters [at the weekend] I rounded a corner to be confronted by this little fella. Actually I say little, but the terrapins I remember from being a kid weren’t this big! Not sure how common they are but I thought you might like a couple of pics for the site. PS. iPhone case was the only thing to hand to give it scale.

 

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Wanstead cricket, 15/6 June

Our man with a long wave radio and earpiece writes that it was a squelchy weekend for Wanstead cricket, but adds:

Wanstead’s player of the weekend was Mohammed Shehriyar, who starred in the 3rd XI win over Ilford on Saturday and followed this up with even more runs and wickets as the Under 16 boys won their Matchplay game against Basildon. Buckhurst Hill humbled the Herons’ 4th XI. The 1st, 2nd and 6th XI league fixtures simply succumbed to the rain. Sunday also saw a fine performance by Wanstead Under 13s against spirited opposition Newham.”

(PS. Thank you Robespierre on Wanstead Talk for your thoughts about how interesting cricket is.)

Snaresbrook call for gardeners

The public-spiritedness of Wanstead gardeners is already legendary, with many spots around the area tended on a voluntary basis (not just the Corner House garden).

The call has gone out for any gardeners willing to donate plants to the garden on the eastbound platform at Snaresbrook station (see sign below). Though unpopular with late night reveller expecting to find themselves heading towards Hainault, Snaresbrook is one of the gems of the Central Line – the point at which, it has been said, the line seems to have left London and entered England.

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Cherry Tree Cafe in Woodbine Place

Wansteadium reader @MissisBeekeeper tweeted this morning asking “anyone know what’s going on with new Cherry Tree Cafe?”

The answer can be found on our messageboard, WansteadTalk.com, where RogerM posted this message:

The Cheery Tree Cafe in Woodbine Place is under new management. Previously run by Redbridge the cafe is now managed by HAIL, an organisation that supports adults with learning difficulties and which runs two other cafes in Haringey. Although the cafe is already open Monday to Friday, they [had] their formal opening on Friday 14 June between 10 and 3. …The cafe will [now] open 7 days a week 9.30 to 4.

It serves excellent sandwiches, delicious homemade cakes and a hot dish of the day. Coffee is also great. However its USP is the lovely sheltered garden, complete with eponymous cherry tree. Worth checking out, it is right opposite the children’s playground on Christchurch Green