Wansteadium

Huge props to the Wanstead stalwarts behind the fundraising for the playground on Christ Church Green. Today, Wednesday, marks a full year since an initial letter from Louise Cutler published here on Wansteadium kickstarted the fundraising effort which at the latest tally has raised more than £57,000

The determined band of parents who have been responsible for this are now seeking a further £23,000, at which point another £10k grant will be awarded. Their overall target is £100,000, and they’re waiting for news on a large grant application which would take them there.

The concept plan pictured includes a space where the “Viper” (playground supplier-talk for the rope swing) could be sited. It’s the most recent piece to have been added and has value for older children, the association believes.

Nicola Jarratt, a mover and a shaker, told Wansteadium that regardless of how much is eventually raised, the new playground will be installed for next Spring.

Fingers crossed for the final bit of fundraising, a solid round of applause for what’s been achieved so far, and a Nadiya Hussain-style reminder to self that anything is possible.

 

 The torment that has been Blake Hall Road for the past couple of months is entering a period of respite. It’s no longer obstructed and the temporary traffic lights have been removed, which is good news for pulsating veins on a thousand motorist’s foreheads.  However, Woodlands Avenue and Blake Hall Crescent are still blocked off with giant holes waiting to be filled.

Motorists should probably enjoy it while they can… the roadworks are apparently due to return at Christmas and next summer. But sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

(Thanks JW, GCP)

  We’ve said it before. But for anyone who grew up having to lob bits of fence panels into trees to stand even a chance of getting a conker, Wanstead is a land flowing with milk and honey.

 Coming soon: the inaugural tree report from our new arboricultural correspondent. 

A Wansteadium reader writes: “I highly recommend the new BBC3 comedy Together, which is delightful and hilarious. And the excuse to recommend it here is that it features Wanstead.. well, sort of. As the series’ iPlayer description says: ‘Shot in and around London in Summer 2015, Together sets Tom and Ellen’s evolving relationship against the backdrop of our chaotic and breathtakingly beautiful capital city.’ Indeed, so it is not surprising that Wanstead also features… at 15:48 you can just make out what can only be a Petty Son and Prestwich ‘for sale’ board in the background.  Is this Wanstead Place?”

Look on our works, ye Islington/Marylebone/Stokie, and despair: Wanstead has been rated in the top five High Streets in London by the government-backed Great British High Street competition.

It’s a great achievement, which is being lauded by councillors and traders alike. Darrell Toakley, of the Wanstead Business Partnership said: “We’ve all been working hard to keep Wanstead’s beautiful village community and trying to maintain the majority of its independent and diverse shops, cafes, restaurants and bars because that’s what makes it a great place to shop and eat. We need to go one further and win the competition next year.”

The competition was looking for “innovative high streets showcasing the best of London”. The past 18 months have seen several positive developments in the health of the High Street, including Wanstead Fish, Luppolo, Manor House, and Tool Box among others. So things are definitely happening, though even the most ardent supporter of the High Street would have to admit it has some way to go before it could truly claim to be in the top five in London.

Wansteadium regular Clive Power writes with news for sign-misprint aficionados: “As well as changing the attached shop into a Spar (will open in November, they told me inside) with a self-serve Starbucks machine, the petrol-station on Aldersbrook Road is also, perhaps, attempting to change the name of the local area.”

Wansteadium reader Adrian Ward adds: Ad As a local Alderbrook resident (and keen follower of Wanteadium.com) I’d also like to point out that the current staff inside have told me they are all likely to be losing their jobs as a result of the change of management (they didn’t seem too pleased about that), and also the interior is going to be refitted to include… wait for it… a Subway and a Greggs concession, as well as their current Starbucks stand. There will be a new cash machine going in on the outside of the building, too. So that’s what we’ve got the look forward to next time we fill up.