Wansteadium

The George in Wanstead has been bought by independent London pub chain Urban Pubs and Bars, just days after Wetherspoons unexpectedly announced the much-loved pub was to close this Sunday.

The pub will be renamed The George and Dragon, reverting to the name it had until 1904. In a statement Urban Pubs & Bars said:

“We are delighted to be able to rescue this much loved pub, a place that has been part of Wanstead’s history since 1716.

“Following some refurbishment work the pub will reopen as a great London traditional pub serving great food including a range of delicious Sunday roasts and a wide selection of beers. We look forward to seeing you soon.”

Though many drinkers had been dismayed by Wetherspoons’ decision, the news that the George will be remaining as a pub, rather than being converted into a sports bar or restaurant, will be welcomed.

Urban Pubs and Bars runs 52 pubs in London, including the Red Lion in Leytonstone and the Bat and Ball in Stratford.

Councillor Paul Donovan, who had led a campaign to try to persuade Wetherspoons to change its mind, told Wansteadium: “It’s sad to see the George go but I’m pleased that it will continue as a pub.

“Also, it’s encouraging that the new owners, Urban Pubs & Bars, are reverting to the original name of the George & Dragon. The big issue of course is cost. Wetherspoons offered cheap food and beer, which will no longer be the case. So, on the plus side the pub remains, on the minus the bargain food and drink are no more.”

Update 1800 The Duke issued a statement to its customers:

We’ve been contacted a few times on ‘what can you do’…Well, no one can compete with a £2 pint, madness. Short of trying to out bid Global Mutual US investment co, who have backed Urban Pubs and Bars and are buying up as much property as they can (as evidenced by The Red Lion and Clapton Hart in recent weeks) and out pricing the independent operator – we can certainly offer to continue the community spirit!

Wanstead gets its first Repair Cafe this weekend, as handy volunteers get ready to help people mend things which would otherwise get thrown away.

Household items such as clothes, jewellery, small electrical items (but not white goods, lawnmowers or microwaves) and bicycles, can all be brought along to be fixed, completely free of charge.  Every family can bring up to one electrical and two sewing items for repair – though tasks will be tackled on a first come first served basis.

The event is taking place at Christ Church Hall on Sunday 13^th October from 2pm-5pm. It’s supported by Christ Church, the London Borough of Redbridge, Wanstead Climate Action and the East London Waste Authority.

It will be run by volunteers and anyone wanting to volunteer as a repairer or to help generally is asked to contact wansteadrepaircafe@gmail.com

The Wanstead Fringe has been given a £3,000 award by the London City Airport Community Fund to help with the development of the Wanstead Kinema. The grant is part of £40,000 the fund is distributing to good causes in East London.

Over the summer the Fringe team crafted the Wanstead Curtain – a cinema, theatre and performance space –  in the disused hall at the Wanstead Methodist Church on Hermon Hill, and the grant helps fund the equipment needed for the showing of films.

Giles Wilson, chair of the Wanstead Fringe, said: “We’re really grateful to the London City Airport Community Fund for their grant. It means a lot to us because the Fringe is entirely volunteer-run, and receives no funding from anyone except our sponsors and members. The grant means our hopes for developing the Wanstead Curtain as a home for our Kinema activities have been given a real boost.”

This year the Fringe was sponsored by Petty Son & Prestwich, Edwards Duthie Shamash, Two Toms, North London Loft Rooms, the Duke, Compassionate Funerals, East London Brewery, the Wanstead Society, Wanstead Bookshop and City Place Coffee.

Its membership scheme, which was launched this year, gives individuals a chance to support the development of cultural activities in Wanstead – at the time of writing there are 63 Wanstead Fringe members. New members can join here.

Each Autumn we mark the first frost of the season, just as we have been doing here every year since 2010. It probably means nothing, but it keeps us happy. Anyway, it was today and it’s interesting to note that this is the earliest frost on record, if you’re only using Wansteadium as your source.

2024 – 11 October
2023 – 16 October
2022 – 6 December
2021 – 2 November
2020 – 4 November
2019 – 4 November
2018 – 25 September
2017 – 30 October
2016 – 2 November
2015 – 23 November
2014 – 6 November
2013 – 13 November
2012 – 6 November
2011 – 25 November
2010 – 21 October

The production of Miss Julie being staged at the Wanstead Curtain in the final weekend of the 2024 Wanstead Fringe has had a rave review.

Peter Fiennes, cousin of actors Ralph and Joseph, tweeted in support of the play having seen it at the Curtain. The play transfers to the Courtyard Theatre in Hoxton in October, but there are some tickets still available for Friday and Saturday night at the Fringe.

I saw this last night and it’s brilliant. Such a powerful story, compellingly directed by Jon Fentiman and acted by Maria Naterstad, @chrisaghaactor and Lia Goresh.
It’s on 8-13 Oct at @CourtyardHoxton https://t.co/Hix1GQ9Kdl

— Peter Fiennes (@pfiennes) September 26, 2024

Other events not to miss before the door closes on this year’s Fringe include
a production of short plays at the Bull – Short Plays, Big Stories, and crime stories on Friday night by celebrated storyteller Patrick Marlowe.

And the climax of what has been the most musically rich Fringe yet is the visit of the Natural Voices choir to St Mary’s on Saturday night with an uplifting concert for all. The choir are expected in strength, and will include star voice Lux Panesar:

Tickets, including family discounts, for Natural Voices are available here.

And links to all events this weekend are on the Fringe site at wansteadfringe.org/events

The Wanstead Beer Festival is returning in October after its successful debut last year. This year, as well as beer and wine there will be a celebration of local gins.

The beers on offer will include

• Brentwood breweries’ Pride of Prague, produced to mark West Ham’s Europa conference win last year
• Malden-based brewery Might Oak’s Captain Bob and others
• Sussex brewery Harvey’s Best Bitter and Old Ale
• Walthamstow brewery Beerblefish with the always popular Lea Valley lager
• Pretty Decent are providing ‘I could get better in T*sco for a quid‘.

There will also be ciders and some perry from Devon brewers Farmer Jim.

The event takes place on 12 October. Tickets are £10 entrance fee, which includes a programme and commemorative glass. Funds raised go to local charities. Organiser Paul Donovan said: ‘We are keeping the prices down again this year, so attendees will be getting bargain beer, as well as helping charity.

Tickets are available here.