Wansteadium

The Nightingale – now to be known as the Nightingale on the Green – has reopened after being closed for several months. Redecorated and somewhat refitted, the pub opened its doors at noon*.

The redecoration, led by new boss Frank Lampard Sr, is smart but will not feel alien to longstanding regulars. Rumours that the upstairs would be converted into a function room turn out not to be correct.

As is our tradition, we wish the new team the best of luck.

*Full disclosure. A – ahem – representative of Wansteadium was the first customer. It was by accident. The representative was passing and asked if they were opening and were told yes, they were, right that minute, and were told: “Do come in and be the first customer.” It would have been rude not to.

Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures & videos.

Wanstead’s traditional position in the line of flight for Trooping the Colour flypasts will come alive again today at 1pm for the RAF anniversary procession. Shortly before 1pm the full line up will be seen across Wanstead, almost as if it were the steps to the podium. If you’re here then, take a look. And if you’ve got a good zoom lens, send some pictures to info@wansteadium.com?

News that Redbridge’s only Grade 1 listed building could close, putting an end to 800 years of weekly worship, seems to have resulted in shrug of Wanstead’s shoulders.

Proposals that St Mary’s church could cease to hold weekly services, but rather have just 16 services each year, are being debated at a special meeting at the Overton Drive church on Sunday.

But the response to reports earlier in the summer that it could be put to radically different uses did not encourage church authorities that support could be rallied from the community.

The paper being discussed says:

A group of church members is attempting to address the pressures on the church by finding new ways for the wider community to use, and visit, the church. It is hoped that this year’s Wanstead Fringe can play a part in this process.

The church faces steep maintenance bills and a small congregation, though it must be said that many churches which do not have the same property responsibilities manage with smaller congregations and ministerial support.

The building and churchyard are beautiful and peaceful places at the heart of the history of Wanstead. The pews are “high box’; they are increasingly unusual and are actually listed separately from the building. The dramatic interior was – as was well noted at the time – the location for the opening shot of the Tom Hardy/Ridley Scott drama Taboo.

The meeting will be held on Sunday at 12.15.

• The apparent indifference to the future of St Mary’s led local historian and author Greg Roberts to blog recently that there were echoes of the neglect which allowed the destruction of Wanstead House. He wrote: “In the long run, listed status will conserve St Mary’s for future generations, but doesn’t this whole episode smack of yet more neglect and a rather patronising assumption that the people of Wanstead will accept another loss in their usual stoic manner?”