Category: Wansteadium

A generation of Wanstead children brought up on Pom-Bears and Squishy Yoghurt pouches while their parents sipped lattes and flat whites will be shocked to hear about the closure of the Larder after nearly 20 years.

Along with the Olive Branch – now Joice cafe – the Larder was at the forefront of the wave of coffee shops which has changed the face of Wanstead. In 2018 it expanded into the former Judith of Wanstead premises, as we reported here. The site is now changing hands and will, it is understood, be redecorated and refurbished and will remain a cafe.

Staff at the much-loved shop have been given presents and commiserations by members of the community who remember catching up over cappuccinos with friends and fellow parents. In the meantime at least one about-to-be former member of staff is understood to be performing at Glastonbury, continuing her passion and talent as a semi-professional backing singer.

But for all the staff who have served at the Larder over the years, thank you for your service.

A story which began on Spratt Hall Road has reached something of a conclusion with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange being freed from Belmarsh prison.

It was in the Bungalow Café that Assange had breakfast with Wanstead’s celebrated media lawyer Mark Stephens in 2010, shortly before Assange’s arranged arrest. As Wansteadium reported at the time, Stephens told reporters that he suspected his Wanstead house was under surveillance so advised Assange to go to the cafe for their meeting.

Assange has reportedly reached a deal with US prosecutors which will see him admit guilt but avoid further prison time – he is expected to return to his native Australia.

Stephens, still active on Twitter, had a simple response:

Very pleased https://t.co/4men6jMvuG

— Mark Stephens (@MarksLarks) June 25, 2024

Our ongoing mission to document general election literature. This from Labour candidate, following our first batch last week. Sightings of leaflets from other candidates are welcome – please send photos to info@wansteadium.com

Thanks, Sue Whitehead

More genius woolwork from the knitter of Hermon Hill – this time to celebrate mid-summer. Bravo, really.

Last year’s collapse of longstanding Wanstead law firm Wiseman Lee following its takeover by a large law group has featured on BBC One’s Morning Live (with photos by Wansteadium). Clients who were left out of pocket are still waiting refunds or compensation. To watch the item, click here – it begins at 3mins 20secs.

The 2024 Wanstead Fringe is taking place in September again for three weeks starting on Saturday 7th Sept and concluding on Saturday 28th.

The annual cultural festival includes music, theatre, comedy, film, authors, food & drink, the Jumble Trail and more. This year will be its 11th year and organisers are expecting even more events to take place than last year’s total of 130.

Some key dates are: the Duke Street party on Saturday 7th, the Open Air Kinema on Saturday 14th, the Wanstead Festival on Sunday 15th, and the Jumble Trail on Saturday 21st. Other events will be unveiled soon.

Fringe organisers are, however, seeking 73 volunteers to join the Fringe effort, in a wide variety of roles including publicity, customer service, administration, stewarding, fundraising, and also people who want to be involved specifically in the theatre, cinema and book festival events.

More details and a form for volunteers to complete is available at the Fringe website here. wansteadfringe.org