Barrel Boulangerie, the cafe/restaurant which has taken the spot previously occupied by the Currant, has opened for a bustling first day.

Wansteadium’s monitor on the spot, Lucy, reports that it now has lots more tables than the Currant had and definitely has its focus on food. “Ciabattas, pizzas (proper pizza oven), crepes, open sandwiches; decent coffee; nice looking cakes. Felt busy and bustling, and a bit crazed! But then, it was the first lunchtime….,” she writes.

So it sounds like a very promising start – though in a move which will upset Currant regulars, dogs are now not allowed.  Reviews from early customers are welcome here, and as is the Wansteadium tradition, we wish the new owners and workers the best of luck in their venture. Also it has a very smart floor.

Menus are:

• The list of Wanstead traders with francophone nomenclature grows to eight… Le Voyage, Beauté Parfaite, Click Beautique, Provender, Café Brasserie, Jo Jo Maman Bébé, et Le Marmiton.

The elegant Gothic – or some might say barbaric – spikes on the top of the old brick wall surrounding the old Wanstead Hospital grounds on Hermon Hill are slowly on their way out.

The wall has been gradually collapsing because of a combination of age and tree roots, and three sections have recently been rebuilt. In due course the whole wall will need replacing – but the original spikes, which would never pass inspection today, are not surviving the transition.

A couple of lucky souvenir hunters have bagged some of them. But for passers-by there is still a bit of street art to enjoy: an unexplained but lovingly installed collection of multi-coloured wires twisted around the spikes. What are they and why are they there? And if no one knows, would someone please make up an urban myth about them?

Remember last year’s Wanstead Fringe? Hundreds – if not thousands – of people attended events which included the Secret Garden, comedy, the Jumble Trail, the Wanstead Kinema, talks and demonstrations and more.

Planning is now under way for Wanstead Fringe 2019 – which will take place between 7 and 14 September. We would find it very useful for anyone who attended any events to take this short survey – just eight questions.

As in previous years, Wansteadium will be featuring every twist and turn of the Fringe, so keep in touch by getting our e-mail newsletter.

Create your own user feedback survey

We’re back!

Our lengthy two-month silence has been the result of an uncharacteristic period of reflection and a temporary vow of silence. Matters under contemplation were: the effect on society of social media; the future of democracy and community; civility; hedgehogs.

Apologies for our impromptu sabbatical, and especially for people who contacted us with tips for news items – we’ll be picking up on some of them now. (You can always contact us at info@wansteadium.com) And thank you to those of you who asked about our health.

If you have events you want listed in the calendar, you can do that here.

Some of the collateral damage from the strong winds over the past couple of days – with worse apparently to come on Tuesday and Wednesday – including at least two trees and the same door twice on Gail’s.

More pictures welcome – info@wansteadium.com

Redbridge is to trial the introduction of wheelie bins, potentially putting an end to piles of black bags and even possibly increasing the borough’s recycling rate.

The council says switching to wheelie bins could save £18m per year, and could help it get its recycling rate above 30%. It also believes wheelie bins help cut fly-tipping.

Another possibility being floated is that the borough could introduce a waste food caddy scheme, similar to those operated in other parts of London.

In a separate development, Redbridge has also announced that it is bringing its waste collection in-house, ending the contract it holds with Amey. A new council-owned company will manage and operate collections – all current staff will be retained and transferred to the new company.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Ending the contract and bringing the bin collection service in-house will mean the council finally has complete control over waste collections, rather than relying on a private contractor. This also gives the council more freedom to redesign and improve services to better serve residents.”