The return of Wanstead Weekly Photo, with this pic as posted on Instagram by Garry Maclennan. You can submit your pictures for Wanstead Weekly Photo by emailing them to us at info@wansteadium.com.
As an added extra, this picture which demands some comment about ducks, was taken by Wansteadium wanself at Nutter Lane.
The news that Peter Smith, greengrocer to the people of Wanstead, retired on Thursday shocked many customers who responded by paying generous tribute to him.
Trudi Campbell wrote: “So sorry to see you guys go! All the best for the future.” Ann Williams said: “This is really bad news – Peter was one of the stalwarts of Wanstead High St and a regular stop on my shopping expeditions. Good luck, Peter and Aaron, whatever you decide to do next. I’ll really miss you.”
Reader Christine Duncan commented: “We moved away from Wanstead 14 years ago back up to Yorkshire and we always came back to say hello to you. Wanstead High Street will not be the same.”
Some readers asked why the move was so sudden with no opportunity to say goodbye. Pete himself left a comment saying it was “too emotional… I told one of our regulars and she burst into tears”.
There were however reports that one of the factors in his decision to part with the shop was a move by Redbridge Council to introduce a £1,200 six-monthly charge for use of the pavement area outside the shop. Wansteadium has asked the council for comment on this.
The photograph above is taken with permission from Mike Edwards’ book Shelf Life which profiled shopkeepers around Wanstead and neighbouring areas. You can see more on the book and the story of Harvey’s at this page, and if you want to buy a copy, e-mail Mike directly.
How Redbridge voted, as seen by BBC News. Full nationwide results, including how Redbridge compares to other London boroughs, are here.
Peter Smith, Wanstead’s greengrocer for 40 years, has announced his retirement and closed his shop early on Thursday afternoon. The business is changing hands but will continue trading as a greengrocer.
Peter, and Aaron Hebden, who also worked at the shop, announced the departure in a message to their customers via Wansteadium which thanked them for their support.
The closure of the greengrocers has long been a fear of many Wanstead High Street shoppers, with rumours of its closure circulating many times, often sparked by the increase in rents for High Street shops. Until today they have just been rumours.
Aaron said a “nice family” was taking over. Â More details when we have them.
It’s not happening today, you understand, but you can now sign up to take part. The trail itself takes place on 10 September, the first Saturday of Wanstead Fringe week (10-17 September).
Buoyed by the success of last year and by the Aldersbrook trail which took place last weekend, this Wanstead-wide event should be bigger and better than ever.
In case you don’t know, the idea is simple. You get together anything you want to get rid of, sign up to take part, set up a stall outside your house, and people who might buy your unwanted items come past with their money ready.
Lessons were learned about how the event could work more smoothly across Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Aldersbrook. You can now sign up via the Jumble Trail website, which is here or contact organiser Maya on wansteadfringe_jumbletrail@outlook.com
More details about how you can get involved in the Wanstead Fringe are coming later this week…
The miserable traffic conditions on Thursday morning – both Central Line and North Circular hit by problems and much of Wanstead at a standstill – could detract attention from the real talking point: EUref last night’s storm.
Wanstead weatherman Scott Whitehead (@wanstead_meteo) says by his reckoning there was more rain yesterday on any single day than before the UK joined the EEC in 1973, though Wanstead seems to have had more than surrounding areas.
So we have a new record <drum roll> for 24hr rainfall. The total fall from 09-09 is 60.8mm, beating the previous record by 5mm
— Wanstead weather (@wanstead_meteo) June 23, 2016
It hasn't rained this much since… the year we joined the Common Market #EUreferendum pic.twitter.com/hoZKSPRJSx
— Wanstead weather (@wanstead_meteo) June 23, 2016
@liviapizzichini @centralline agreed 35-40 mins on platform at Wanstead still unable to get on a train. Severe delays
— Giles Littleford (@gil3s) June 23, 2016
A406 Crooked Billet Underpass (E17/E4 ) (All Directions) Underpass is flooded. pic.twitter.com/4vLukgWTbz
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) June 23, 2016
Still on the positive side, it’s good to see things are going smoothly on Blake Hall Road…
All going well #blakehellroad https://t.co/6WzP3bnJB9
— Blake Hell Road (@blakehellroad) June 22, 2016
