Category: Wansteadium

Hedgehog update

Wansteadium reader Nick reports that he had a hedgehog in his garden near Nightingale Primary School early last summer but that it has not been seen since. This is the most recent sighting we are aware of, but is consistent with the 2008 sighting in Woodbury Close we reported last week.

So there are still no reported sightings of hedgehogs in Wanstead, Snaresbrook or Aldersbrook in 2011. It seems remarkably sad, if true, that there are none left. You can help spread the word about the Wanstead Hedgehog Hunt by printing and displaying this poster. Thanks for your help.

Report any sightings of hedgehogs, dead or alive, to hedgehogs@wansteadium.com

View Hedgehogs in Wanstead in a larger map

Post-Tube strike uncertainty

Remember, following the six-hour Tube strike which started at 2100 on Sunday night, there might still be disruption on the Central Line, and that Wansteadium has live departure boards for all trains lined up for Wanstead and Snaresbrook in both directions.

First sighting in Wanstead Hedgehog Hunt

The Wanstead Hedgehog Hunt, launched by Wansteadium last week, seeks to disprove the notion that there are no hedgehogs left in Wanstead, despite the greenery, the open spaces, and the lush gardens.

First reported sighting comes from Jo Mussett, who took this photo of a hedgehog in her Woodbury Close garden. The bad news though is that this was in 2008.

Wansteadium reader Mark Bentley, however, offered this tweet on Saturday morning:

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/markb999/status/82029109311569920″]

So the map now has one pin dropped on it. Please report any sightings (dead or alive, current or within past five years) to hedgehogs@wansteadium.com, and pass the word around…


View Hedgehogs in Wanstead in a larger map

Welcome, Snaresbrook Dan


We’re pleased to welcome Dan who runs Cafe Voyage on the westbound platform at Snaresbrook station to active Wanstead twittering. Along with our live departure boards and Dan’s on-the-spot updates, what more could Snaresbrook commuters need of a morning?

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/CafevoyageE11/status/80000935975321600″]

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/CafevoyageE11/status/76589159267057664″]

Letter to Wansteadium: Pity the renters

Following George C Parker’s thoughts about Olympic rentals in Wanstead, Wansteadium reader Suzi writes:

Dear Wanstead property owners.
Please don’t evict your loyal tenants for the prospect of easy Olympic money. I am a loyal tenant and my agreement is up for renewal before the Olympics. I am getting really worried. Don’t penalise us because banks won’t give us a mortgage without an impossible deposit in these dark days. We already pay your mortgage for you, please let us stay here in 2012! Thanks.

Announcing the Wanstead hedgehog hunt

Some wildlife there is no shortage of, especially in Wanstead. As this tweet has it:

[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/#!/lucretiaborgia1/statuses/81437041493151744″]

But what, Wansteadium asks, about the humble hedgehog? Wanstead is full of gardens, with plenty of room to roam, and lots of countryside within easy reach even of short legs. The Wanstead Wildlife website reported that the prickly mammals were “very rarely seen” as far back as 2006, though did hear of a couple of sightings in 2009 – one in garden near Manor Park Cemetery, and one in Wanstead Park.

So a challenge for Wansteadium readers is to report any sightings – dead or alive – of hedgehogs. It surely can’t be that there are none living here?  Please put the message around with your neighbours, encourage schoolchildren to take an interest, and let’s find some evidence that there are still the snuffling beasties living here.

We have set a up a Google map to record and share any sightings – either plot it on the map directly or e-mail us with details – hedgehogs@wansteadium.com


View Hedgehogs in Wanstead in a larger map