As England and Pakistan square up for the final Test at the Oval, one Wanstead trader has a closer interest than normal.
Imran Asghar, who runs the Tool Box on Wanstead High Street, also runs a supporters’ group for Pakistan fans which he modelled on the Barmy Army. The Stani Army organises trips and for fans who want to follow the Pakistan team as they play around the world.
And Imran himself (named after Imran Khan – he was born the day after Imran Khan was awarded Man of the Series for the Pakistan tour of England in 1982) will be at the Oval, doing his best to get his ten-year-old daughters interested in the game.
Our monthly note of thanks to those Wansteadium readers who have bought items from Amazon by searching through the Amazon search box on all our pages (and here for your reference). Anyone who does that, even if they then go through to the Amazon page itself, earns Wansteadium a cut which helps us pay our hosting and software costs.
Though we have no idea who bought what, we do know the items which are purchased. And this month’s heroes bought among other things Charades for Kids, printer ink, and a Galaxy Tab. Also books, CDs and household goods like insect poison. Thanks again everyone.
A property listing for a house in Grosvenor Road makes a startling claim. It says the property is:
[su_quote url=”http://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/flatshare_detail.pl?flatshare_id=773175&search_id=353463652&city_id=&flatshare_type=offered&search_results=%2Fflatshare%2F%3Foffset%3D30%26search_id%3D353463652%26sort_by%3Dage%26mode%3Dlist&”]…a smart fully furnished 3 bed character flat once occupied by Charles Dickens! [/su_quote]
Charles Dickens (Wikimedia, public domain)
Can this be true? And if it is, why isn’t it common knowledge?
It’s perhaps surprising, but yes it appears to be true, at least in part. Documents dating from 1869 which were sold by Bonhams for £840, indicated that Dickens’ did purchase a new villa in Grove Road (now presumably Grosvenor Road).
[su_quote]Dickens’s signatures stand at the head of both these documents concerning the sale of the “detached Villa residence” at No.16, subsequently No.18, Grove Road, Wanstead. The first is signed in his characteristic turquoise ink, without flourishes, the second in brown ink with the usual flourished underlining.[/su_quote]
The documents explain, the auctioneer said, that the author acquired an interest in November 1860, that the property was on a new road, was unoccupied and had only recently been built. But there is a mystery over the transaction because the solicitor involved wasn’t Dickens’s usual trusted lawyer. There could however be an explanation, the firm said.
[su_quote cite=”Bonham’s auctioneers” url=”https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16761/lot/133/”]A possible motive may lie in Dickens’s affair with Ellen (Nelly) Ternan, whom he had met in 1857. She is recorded as having retired from the stage in 1860, that is at about the time that Dickens made his Wanstead investment. He is known to have bought the Ternan family a house in St Pancras, transferring the lease to Nelly on her coming of age on 3 March 1860. But for a house where he could stay with her, he seems to have preferred places further out from central London, renting for her, under the pseudonym ‘Charles Tringham’, properties in Slough and Peckham. So, just possibly, it was his love for Nelly Ternan that gave Dickens this taste for the suburbs; and that it was their future together he had in mind when making his Wanstead investment.[/su_quote]
So he owned and may well have stayed at the property, though he may not have occupied it for very long. It is thought by some that he gave readings at an archery ground and lodge which later become Wanstead Quaker Burial Ground, the site of the current Wanstead Quaker Meeting hall on Bush Road.
As ever, anyone who knows more about this subject is very welcome to get in touch to share their knowledge. Email us at info@wansteadium.com.
Another chapter in our charting of the spread of coin-operated mechanisms built in Wanstead but running things all round the world.
Wansteadium reader Paul Richardson spotted this in the village of Wotton Waters while on a boating holiday on the Kennet and Avon canal. Nice carpet too.
Previous sightings here, here and here. We still have three continents to cover, so when on exotic holidays please pay attention to any coin operated opportunities.
A fire in block of flats at Oakhall Court by the side of the A12 this morning has left two people in hospital. Everyone else got out of the flats unharmed. The Wanstead Guardian reports that six fire engines and 35 firefighters were involved, and that the fire has “nearly destroyed” the block.
We’re delighted to announce the launch of something new, a way for people like the sensible folk who read Wansteadium to show their support for the long-term development of the cultural life of Wanstead.
The thing in question is the Friends of Wanstead Fringe, a new scheme which invites supporters to become members (individually, couple or families) and in return get some benefits, the most important being the assurance that your backing will do Wanstead some good.
The Fringe is taking place this year from 10-17 September, and in a significant development is going to have a regular home for events at the Cherry Tree cafe which is currently being renovated. More on that to come.
But for the meantime, thanks for your support and if you can become a Friend of the Wanstead Fringe, so much the better.
As England and Pakistan square up for the final Test at the Oval, one Wanstead trader has a closer interest than normal.
A fire in block of flats at Oakhall Court by the side of the A12 this morning has left two people in hospital. Everyone else got out of the flats unharmed. The 
We’re delighted to announce the launch of something new, a way for people like the sensible folk who read Wansteadium to show their support for the long-term development of the cultural life of Wanstead.