In this episode: the door on Wanstead’s neglected (but much admired) phone box is back. Meanwhile the Wanstead Society reports it is not allowed, as a charity, to take on custodianship of the box. But the Wanstead Community Gardeners are developing an option where the phone box could be converted into a miniature hothouse.
The long-running saga of weird inscriptions appearing on benches appears to have jumped the shark. An anti-Thatcher plaque has been placed on a bench in Wanstead, but we now think we’re all being played by attention seekers. So it’s a no from us.
Family and friends of Jill Stock, the much-loved Wanstead character who was killed in a road traffic collision last year, are raising money for a bench on Wanstead High Street in her memory.
Jill was a stalwart of community activities, including Neighbourhood Watch, PTAs, street parties and many small acts of kindness. Her daughter Kate, writing on a fundraising site, said:
Mum was a friend to so many – she would do anything to help someone in need. She cared for everyone, especially the old and vulnerable, and she hated injustice. When something was wrong and needed resolving nobody was more tenacious than our Mum. She loved Wanstead – she said it was ‘a very special community’ so in her memory, we’d like to put a bench in Wanstead High Street in memory of this very special person.
Contributions can be made via this page.
Wansteadium was delighted to host Wanstead Bookshop’s first book launch – the new thriller from A.K. Turner, the author formerly known as Anya Lipska (above).
Alison joined us via Zoom, along with award-winning advanced pathology technician Barbara Peters – who has helped Alison with many of her insights.
Wanstead Bookshop book launch: A.K. Turner's Body Language from Giles Wilson on Vimeo.
The book is the first tale involving Camden mortuary assistant Cassie Raven, who is convinced she can hear the last thoughts of the dead person in front of her. It has had great reviews and will delight people who enjoyed Alison’s previous Kiszka and Kershaw series.
You can order the book below from Wanstead Bookshop, or go to the online shop itself.
Wanstead cricketing legend Arfan Akram has been highlighted by the Daily Mail as an unsung hero in an article which explains some of the work done in East London and Essex to engage diverse communities.
An appeal to help give homeless people accommodation during the winter has been launched by the Wanstead Parish.
The churches are hoping to raise £3,500 to help give homeless people somewhere to stay – in part because the parish is unable to offer winter night shelter accommodation, as it did last year, because of coronavirus restrictions.
The appeal would give the homeless people somewhere safe and warm to stay, a meal, professional support from a caseworker and medical experts, and befriending from volunteers. The cost for each person is £25 per night – but £5 of this will be funded by the local authority.
Full details of the appeal are here on the Aviva Community fundraising site.
