Author: Wansteadium

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “I took this photograph tonight, I was out looking for firework displays but couldn’t resist this pattern caused by a street lamp. Let me know if you have any idea where it is.”

Wanstead MP John Cryer has this week proposed a motion in the House of Commons lamenting the decision to auction celebrated Soho pub the Gay Hussar.

Meanwhile, a bit closer to home, there has been continued debate about what is to become of the Duke of Edinburgh pub at the top (bottom?) of Nightingale Lane.

Purveyor of local ales, the Wanstead Tap, has been trying to lure Antic London into getting interested in the site. The company operates the Red Lion in Leytonstone and a number of other celebrated pubs across London.

However, it seems someone else has got there first

Wouldn't I be really lovely if @Antic_London came and had a look at the empty pub in Wanstead…. #hinthint

— The Wanstead Tap (@TheWansteadtap) November 5, 2013

@TheWansteadtap its been sold to a restaurant as far as we know.

— Antic London (@Antic_London) November 5, 2013

• The text of Mr Cryer’s motion “notes that the Gay Hussar has played an important role in the culinary, political and journalistic life of the capital for more than 60 years and as such is an important national institution; and applauds any initiative, including a possible diners’ and staff co-operative venture, as a means of keeping the Gay Hussar alive for future generations of rebels and Rabelaisians to enjoy.”

A Rabelaisian is someone who indulges in bawdy humour. Whoopee cushions, perhaps.

• The Wanstead Tap, meanwhile, is to open a pop-up shop in Wanstead Shoreditch from Nov 25.

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “After I photographed [fallen] trees, I just had to take a final picture of the once Wanstead Police Station. The decision to close it was on and off for such a long time, one did wonder whether it would truly come about. Seeing it yesterday with all the windows boarded the iconic Blue Lamp gone it is obviously finally over. The last emotion felt was that I have captured it in all forms for future historical interest. The pictures are all safely in my archive.”

Suki Orange, Wansteadium’s food blogger, writes:

Today’s Observer has a story about the increasing trend for West End restaurants refusing to take bookings and expecting their diners to queue up outside for a table, Wonk Kei-style. Mr Orange and I could have done with a bit of that ourselves this weekend.

We were taking the rare opportunity of someone babysitting the satsumas to have a night out. But because of the Central Line weekend closure (which seems to create a weekend-long mood of splendid isolation which Agatha Christie or Stephen King would use as the backdrop for some heinous criminality in otherwise civilised company… Anya Lipska, are you reading???) we, like everyone else, had the choice of George Lane or Wanstead High Street.

Reader, we chose Wanstead. I know my review of SumoFresh is massively overdue, but I have been minded to let things settle. While the overwhelming response of readers of Wanstead Talk is positive, and my own experience there has been joyful, I wanted to give a really rounded verdict. So we confidently walked up, knowing that – as is apparently so now – they don’t take reservations. We knew we would dine.

Except that they have just started taking bookings. And were fully booked, of course.

So it was an unplanned return to Provender, where we were welcomed as locals, and promised a spot within 45 minutes, which allowed a short visit to the Cuckfield (where a small glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a pint of Sierra Nevada cost just shy of a tenner). Provender, as ever, was a delight. Central London prices, yes, but Central London food too. Duck for me (who you might call L’Orange) and a meaty steak of brill for Monsieur with luxurious creamed spinach. No starters, no pudding, one bottle of wine and a couple of drinks, and a £90 bill. Phewee. At least we could walk home.

Central Line? We could live without you. (Though please please be working again by Monday morning.)

Three full months after it appeared, the mysterious and alarmingly deep hole in Nightingale Lane has now been fixed. Or perhaps enough stuff has just fallen into it to fill it up. No, it’s definitely been fixed.

What with this and Wansteadium reaching another landmark in the numbers of e-mail subscribers – now 700! – it seems celebrations are in order. (You too can get our e-mails – use the form here.)

Perhaps an evening at Wanstead Comedy Night tonight, Thursday? Here is the full billing for what is becoming Wanstead’s top night out. Especially when they keep shutting the Central Line at weekends.