Author: Wansteadium

Wanstead Park's permissive cycle path is now "official". #EppingForest pic.twitter.com/1VHdWGaUTU

— Wanstead Parklands (@FWP2009) July 27, 2014

Wanstead has some very happy cyclists about. The authorities of Wanstead Park, the City of London – known as @CoLEppingForest on Twitter – has installed signs indicating that an extra path has been opened up to genteel cyclists, but with pedestrian priority. The new shared section runs from the Wanstead Park Avenue entrance, skirting Heronry Pond round to the existing shared use path which runs down from Warren Road.

Particularly welcome news for Wanstead residents wanting to explore the park, and also for Aldersbrook kids wanting to cycle up towards Wanstead schools.

https://twitter.com/nick_affleck/status/492693199975354368

PS. One thing though – “permissive” used to be a dirty word didn’t it?

@Wansteadium ha! I used to cycle this route to school c1960 #memories

— Sussex handmade (@Ninanigel) August 1, 2014

New fancy pants countdown-style pedestrian lights installed outside the George.

The future of this familiar Wanstead building is in the balance as planners decide if it can be redeveloped into three new houses.

The owners of the I&K Brown garage on Church Path are retiring, and the plan involves the partial demolition and redevelopment of four linked buildings on the site. Currently up to 20 cars a day are repaired at the site, but the plan says a residential use would be more in keeping with the surrounding area.

Planners are considering the application. The Wanstead Society has indicated it generally supports the application (below), though is not keen on the design. One member of the public has mentioned that there are still disused underground petrol tanks at the front of the property so there is some potential for contamination.

The planning document however says: “The surrounding area is wholly residential and so the proposed
change is compatible with the character of the locality. The new houses will contribute to
the residential character, where the existing workshop does not.”

The detailed plans and application can be inspected on the Redbridge website, under planning application number 1536/14

 

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “For me around every corner there is a picture and walking down the alley between Woodbine Place to Cambridge Park I came across this electricity sub station. The varying colours around it, red wall, green leaves and the steel grey of the doors with a little graffiti thrown in shouted picture.”

The Wanstead Fringe is gearing up for its second year, and ace impresario Alistair MacQueen, right, is on the hunt for musicians who will take part.

There will be a number of gigs and performances at venues around Wanstead during the Fringe week (6-13 September), suiting a number of different styles. Last year’s evening gigs at the Larder were memorable events and the hope is that this year will be even better.

Any performers wanting to take part should drop Alistair a line via Twitter @AliMacQueen or email via info@wansteadfringe.org

* If you are thinking of organising your own event for the Fringe and haven’t yet got in touch to tell the Fringe folk about it, please do as they are compiling the week’s programme. The second Wanstead Fringe will take place at locations across Wanstead in the week of 6-13 September, and will include comedy, films, music, talks, cookery and children’s events.