Next week is the second annual Wanstead Tree Week here on Wansteadium. As well as some interesting stories about Wanstead’s trees, your photos of our trees are welcome, and the Redbridge arboricultural officers have agreed to take your questions.
So send your tree photos or questions to us at info@wansteadium.com.
EXCLUSIVE
Sainsbury’s has decided not to open a convenience store in the former Barclays Bank on Wanstead High Street.
The company told Wansteadium: “We remain very interested in opening a new shop in Wanstead.
Wanstead High Street’s Londis is closing – as soon as this week, according to some reports, though certainly by the end of the month. The rent for the premises is believed to be in the region of £50,000 pa.
So the fourth Wanstead Fringe went out in a blaze of glory with comedy, yoga, music workshops, acoustic sessions from Wanstead musicians and a sell-out attendance at the legendary Wanstead Kinema.
On behalf of the organisers, Wansteadium would like to thank everyone who took part, especially the Friends of the Wanstead Fringe (you can still join up, here), the restaurants who took part in Restaurant Week,Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure, the London Borough of Redbridge and the NELFT NHS Foundation Trust for letting the Fringe use the Cherry Tree as an HQ; Petty Son and Prestwich for continued generous support.
The traditional Sesame Street-style roll call takes place at the bottom of this post, but before that here are some of the scenes from the closing stages of the Fringe.
Restaurant Week was supported by Bombetta, The Lane, Sumo Fresh, Gezi Park, Luppolo, Provender, Piccolo, the Manor House, Purbani, and Long Horn. Thanks to all them for their support.
It’s nearly the final climactic weekend of the fourth Wanstead Fringe following perhaps the busiest night of activities the Fringe has ever seen.
On Wednesday night the Duke was packed for a fascinating evening of the sights, sounds, smells and – err – sips of Jazz era London. Fringe HQ at the Cherry Tree hosted a discussion on the nature of London’s suburbs with the Guardian’s Hugh Muir and author John Rogers, while Geoff Wilkinson led photographers on a lighting-up-time walk and Paul Guided Missile foxed music fans at the Wanstead Tap. All events were buzzing.
On Thursday there is a discussion of what could come after capitalism, at the Wanstead Tap, while at the Duke there is a retro vinyl pop-up night.
Friday evening will pose a problem for anyone who wants both comedy AND gardening OR acoustic music.
Marian Temple will lead a walk round the various spots of Wanstead brought into flower by the Wanstead Community Gardeners
The Fringe Comedy Night has never disappointed, and this year looks like a cracker with Terry Alderton, Ben Clover, Radu Isaac and Liam Smith.
Acoustic music at the Manor House comes with Keep Your Freak Flag Flying, with Mick Terry, James Healey, Ben Kelly and Ali MacQueen entertaining with “a mix of skewed balladry, minstrel-like charm, beguiling covers and low jinks”.
After that, on Saturday there is the traditional yoga on Christ Church Green. Both the guitar workshops and the Kinema are already full – apologies for anyone disappointed.
But there are also a few days left of Restaurant Week where you can eat out with discounts (if you have a Fringe programme or app).
And here are some more scenes from the Fringe so far…
We have had so many positive comments about @thedukewanstead and of course @lucigosling and @OdetteToilette thanks! https://t.co/6kpnEWqIjZ
— Wanstead Fringe (@WansteadFringe) September 15, 2016
Fascinating conversation on suburbs, gentrification and edgelands between Hugh Muir and John Rogers @WansteadFringe tonight
— Michael Sumsion (@SumsionMichael) September 14, 2016
Michael Sumsion has blogged about the evening here.
Had a great #photowalk @WansteadFringe last night pix of #moon #warmemorial & #christchurch everyone did so well..same again next year!
— Geoff Wilkinson (@GeoffWilkinson7) September 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/WansteadFringe/status/776313327446331392
It’s mid-way through the Wanstead Fringe, and it’s already clear that more people are taking part in events than ever before.
Many events – including the legendary Kinema – have been sold out, and there are just a few days left to make the most of the occasion with extra added Indian Summer.
On Tuesday, there’s music at the Wanstead Tap with Luna Blaze and the Recoupes, while Wednesday will be the busiest night of the week with a chance to meet the artists involved in the Art Trail, a cult pop quiz at the Wanstead Tap, a discussion on the nature of suburban life including local author John Rogers and the Guardian’s Hugh Muir, an evening photo walk with Geoff Wilkinson (now sold out), and the most intriguing event of the week – Scent and Scandal at the Duke.
There are more events on Thursday (see here) and this is all before the traditional high point of the Fringe, Friday’s Comedy Night which this year will be at Eton Manor and has Terry Alderton headlining. Get tickets soon before this sells out too.
More restaurants have joined in with Wanstead Restaurant Week, meaning there are now eight places that you can get discounts if you take your Wanstead Fringe programme in with you. (If you don’t have a programme, download the Wanstead Fringe app for iOS and Android and take that instead.)
Meanwhile here are some more views of the Fringe so far…
