For anyone who couldn’t get tickets to see Michael Rosen doing an evening of poetry at the Wanstead Tap last month, you can now see choice bits of video, including this poem about a cucumber.
There are more at Rosen’s site. And for any of a pedantic frame of mind, yes, though the Wanstead Tap culturally identifies with Forest Gate, it is in fact within the historic parish boundaries of Wanstead.
Or more accurately, here’s a reminder of the dates for rubbish and recycling dates for anyone who put their leaflet into the recycling. Pure public service journalism.
Wanstead URC
4pm Nativity Service
St Gabriel’s
4pm Crib Service
Christ Church
4.30pm Crib Service
Grace Church Wanstead
4.30pm Children’s Carol Service
Our Lady of Lourdes
5pm Mass
Christ Church
6pm Family Eucharist with carols
Our Lady of Lourdes
7pm Mass
Wanstead URC
11.30pm Midnight Communion
St Gabriel’s
11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christ Church
11.30pm Midnight Mass with carols
Our Lady of Lourdes
Midnight: Mass
Our Lady of Lourdes
9.30am Mass
Wanstead URC
10am Christmas Family Worship
St Gabriel’s
10am Christmas Family Eucharist
Wanstead Methodist Church
United service at Lighthouse Methodist Church, Walthamstow
Aldersbrook Baptist Church
10.30am Christmas Day service
St Mary’s
11am Family Eucharist with carols
Grace Church Wanstead
11.15am Christmas Day Service
Our Lady of Lourdes
11.30am Mass
PS. If we’ve missed any services out, please email wansteadium@gmail.com asap for them to be included.
Baby owls in Wanstead Park pic.twitter.com/l9WwgbfZmy
— Celia Parker (@celiaparker16) December 19, 2015
Update:
Wansteadium 'outrage' at fake baby owl stunt https://t.co/p7jQpDwaSk
— Wansteadium (@Wansteadium) December 19, 2015
Some people think the idea that Wanstead should be considered “a village” is a bit twee. Others defend it affectionately, and sometimes even passionately.
Either way, the village-ness gets an almighty backing in Friday’s Times property supplement. These are the key paragraphs…
The paper mentions the local sporting facilities – golf, cricket, riding – and the good ratings for Wanstead Church School and Wanstead High School.
It then goes on to talk about community spirit, giving due credit to the playground fundraising, but unavoidably missing out a mention either of local blogs or annual fringe festivals. Weird. 
Wansteadium had no idea about the provenance of High Street undertaker Francis J Walter, so this post from the fascinating East-End.co.uk blog on Twitter is fascinating. There are dozens more photos on its Twitter feed worth looking at.
Walters the Undertakers at 811 Commercial Road – although now relocated to Wanstead, the company still exists… pic.twitter.com/tMqZqMCTNw
— The Ripper (@The_East_End) December 16, 2015
