Congratulations to everyone involved in the Art Trail – especially (to Wansteadium’s untrained eye) Alison Stenhouse whose tree pictures were on show in Revive, and Grace’s prints of fish in genuine squid ink, which were on show at Wanstead Fish, where she works.
And of course the crowd-pleasing Lego sculptures hidden in shops around the area. We liked the Tool Box brush and Ginger Pig steak in particular. We hear that so popular were they that one model actually got stolen from its host shop.
Well done to all involved (and kudos to Stow Bros which sponsored the Trail).
Customers seem to be rallying round Imran Asghar, cricket-loving ironmonger and Tool Box proprietor, following a racist knife attack he suffered in his shop last week. Four men, one in his 50s, and one with a crutch, entered the shop, assaulted Imran, threatened him and abused him racially. Partly as a result, the shop seems busier than ever.
Wansteadium decompressed last week following the Fringe, which was a great success all round, with many events selling out. The Wanstead Kinema once again was an atmospheric triumph, as the picture above demonstrates, and the whole week was a great demonstration of the potential of Wanstead for cultural revival.
Anyone who would like to be involved in planning next year’s Fringe, please do get in touch with the Wanstead Fringe Association at info@wansteadfringe.org.
Giles Wilson, chair of the association, said: “It takes a village to raise a fringe – so thanks to everyone who was involved either as a venue host, an event organiser, an attendee, a sponsor – Petty Son and Prestwich and Edwards Duthie especially – or as a member of the Friends of the Wanstead Fringe. Thanks also to Wansteadium for its stalwart support.*
“This was the biggest and best Fringe yet, and we’re determined to make 2018 even better. But we need people to join in – and now would be a good time to express interest (not least because we’ll hold you to it).”
*Young musicians will play on Wanstead High Street around lunchtime.
*The Taste of Wanstead will take place on Christ Church Green at 2pm. Details here. It will be followed by a pre-Kinema BBQ for all those lucky enough to have Kinema tickets.
*Thursday is one of the biggest days of the Fringe so far, with Chris Difford of Squeeze talking at the Wanstead Tap (sold out) and Paul Sinha delighting the Wanstead Comedy Club (also sold out). There are a few places left for the Olive Oil tasting at More Italy at 6.30 and Fringe favourite Geoff Wilkinson will be judging an amateur photography competition at the Nightingale.
*There is an additional event going on tonight – a fundraiser at Dama De Elche on Cambridge Park for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability and Stroke Association. A prize raffle draw will take place – with prizes donated by Wanstead businesses. Full list of prizes here. Get tickets from the restaurant or Biyoni or Zoology.