Earlier this year Wansteadium went through a period of not paying attention. It was in this time that the phonebox on the corner of Woodbine Place and the High Street was removed, and we didn’t even notice. But let’s take a quick look back at phone boxes on the site we have known and loved. (And hardly, if ever, used.)
So farewell then to the quaint wooden shopfront which was once Jolliffe’s builders but which is now to become a three-floored building comprising seven one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom flats and new shops.
The addition of thirteen new homes on a space which was under-used will be welcomed by those who are trying to find places to live in Wanstead, and the design which was given permission last year avoids an inappropriate new development (unlike at least one previous proposal).
But it’s also worth noting the passing of a landmark which did, we insist, look a bit like a wooden tooth on the High Street.
The new building should end up looking something like the drawing below.
Steve Kyprianou, the longtime owner of the Wanstead Hairdressers in Woodbine Place, has died aged 83. He took over the shop in 1969 and continued working there until 10 years ago. He died two weeks ago following an illness, and will be buried on Wednesday.
The shop is still in his family after 50 years and is now run by his nephew Paul Michaelides.
The Jumble Trail is one of the biggest events of the Wanstead Fringe, and booking for stalls on this year’s trails opens right now.
Last year’s Trail was by far the biggest and best, and this year’s will be even better. As well as giving people the opportunity to declutter, earn some money and also meet their neighbours, this year’s Trail has a real recycling vibe.
Along the route of the trail will be an expert team of seamstresses ready to treat split seams, wonky buttons or worn elbow patches. And there will be a plant clinic hosted by Wanstead Community Gardeners for questions about indoor or outdoor plants. There will be other attractions along the route announced in the next few weeks.
But if you want to hold a stall, you should book your place pronto – any stall registered before 7 August gets listed on the map which will this year be distributed with the Wanstead Fringe programme. And being listed massively increases the chances that buyers will find what you’re got on offer.
You can book your spot now at the Wanstead Fringe website, where you will also find some other early bird ticket offers including the Railway Children musical.
https://wansteadfringe.wansteadium.com/event/jumble-trail-2019/
The fundraising effort to put new cricket nets at Wanstead Cricket Club’s home at Overton Drive has received a boost with a £10,000 donation from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The donation was awarded partly because of the club’s success in “achieving social harmony in Wanstead”. Kudos.
Further donations can be made here.
People of Wanstead. The 2019 Wanstead Fringe is nearly here, and you can now start buying tickets for a selection of the events.
To get you started, you can buy tickets for The Railway Children musical – which is being staged at the Deaton Theatre at Forest School by the same theatre company which last year put on The Secret Garden. As anyone who saw that will know, this is a fantastically talented outfit and we’re delighted they’re taking part in the Fringe again. Professional theatre, right here in Wanstead.
As last year, there are family discounts available. All details – and tickets – can be found on this page at wansteadfringe.org.
Each day this week, Wansteadium will be revealing another event you can take part in this year’s Fringe – sign up here to get our newsletter and keep in touch.
