An open letter to Wanstead Society members

Dear Wanstead Society member

It was sad to hear that the Wanstead Society has decided to close after many years of highlighting the kinds of issues that many Wanstead residents care about. It can be proud of the role it has played in civic life.

The fact that there has been an organisation like the Wanstead Society at all is thanks to a small number of dedicated activists and a much larger number of supporters who have helped it in the background with their involvement and – crucially – their subscriptions.

As one organisation closes, though, another one is developing. The Wanstead Fringe Association has successfully run the Fringe for 11 years and is now becoming a bigger organisation. Thanks to the opportunity to make something lasting of the Wanstead Curtain (the hall at Wanstead Methodist Church), there is the chance to play a role in shaping the future of Wanstead in other ways. The plan is for the Curtain to become a regular theatre, cinema and performance space as part of increased artistic and cultural activity here.

But to do it the Fringe needs support of Wanstead residents.

So we are inviting Wanstead Society members – along with anyone else who wants to be part of this new thing – to join as members of the Wanstead Fringe Association. Membership is a minimum of £10 per year and is available here.

The Wanstead Fringe would be delighted to have you on board.

Best wishes

Giles Wilson
Chair, Wanstead Fringe

Job opening

Wanstead Parish is seeking a new part-time manager. But that’s not the only opening this week – Wansteadium is proud to open its Wanstead Jobs Board, where any local employer can let our readers know about vacancies that need filling.

You can find details of the Wanstead Parish job, and how to advertise any vacancies you might be responsible for, on this page:

Time to give views on Redbridge budget

Redbridge is again inviting residents to have a say on budget priorities as it works out its spending plans for next year.

A survey has been launched by the council. A spokesperson said: “We want your views on what matters most, and how we can keep our communities safe and healthy and keep our borough clean, green, and welcoming.

“We want to inform you about the difficult decisions we, Redbridge Council, will make when prioritising spending to keep vital services running while balancing a squeezed budget.”

Redbridge says it has lost more than 54p for every £1 of government grant funding, meaning it has £150m less to spend on local services each year.

“Despite the challenges of rising inflation, increasing demand, and reduced government funding, Redbridge Council is innovating to continue delivering with less and protecting the vital services that matter most to local people,” the spokesperson added. “Your responses to the survey questions will help us set the budget for our services in Redbridge for 2026-26.”

Oh come on people

Hours after Redbridge workers carefully laid out fresh soil for planting next to a significant road improvement scheme, some nitwit walked all the way through it like it was a pile of leaves.

The new bit of pavement significantly reduces the width of the end of Nightingale Lane where it meets Nelson Road, outside the Duke. The junction has been perilous for pedestrians even before they’ve been to the pub because it was just so wide – it was perfectly possible to start crossing with no cars in sight, only for two or three to arrive by the time you got to the middle of the road.

So the improvements, and planting are welcome indeed. Now the grass just needs to be allowed to grow.

No George (or dragon) for Christmas

The George and Dragon, formerly the George, will not be opening before Christmas, drinkers have been told, meaning it will be a festive season without their favourite watering location.

Signs outside the pub, which is undergoing some refurbishment, promise a reopening in January – and also announce a recruitment process which will be welcome news to many former bar staff.

The Wanstead Curtain reboots for half-term

The Wanstead Curtain, the new theatre and cinema crafted by the Wanstead Fringe team, is coming back to life for half term with two Halloween films and a play. Tickets are now available for all three events.

Sleepy Hollow

Thursday 31 October 7.30pm
Tim Burton’s 1999 gothic supernatural horror film with a stellar cast, including Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Christopher Walken, Casper Van Dien and even an appearance from the King of Horror Christopher Lee. A Halloween classic for grown ups. Certificate 15. And an interesting factoid taken from Winifred Eastment’s 1949 book Wanstead Through the Ages is that our beloved bit of the world used to be widely known as Sleepy Hollow. You have been warned.

Coco

Saturday 2 November 6pm

If there’s a family film for Halloween week, this is it. Pixar’s 2017 animated fantasy film is inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead festival. The story follows 12-year old Miguel as he attempts to follow his love of guitar (despite his family’s long-standing ban on music), and accidentally embarks on a death-defying journey to solve the mystery of his great-great-grandfather. Certificate PG. Bring your fancy dress, mums and dads. (Children in fancy dress also permitted.)

Rossetti’s Stunners

Sunday 3 November 3pm

An original hit at this year’s Wanstead Fringe, Rossetti’s Stunners tells the tales of the women who were the inspiration for painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti – this is a highly entertaining one-woman drama written and performed by Elaine Britten.