Locksmith stickers arrive in Wanstead

Wanstead has apparently been hit by a wave of “locksmith stickers” which it is believed are ruses to indicate to burglars where there are empty houses.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team has warned residents that the small clear plastic stickers may be used by burglars. Houses in Woodlands Avenue and the Lake House Estate have apparently been stickered. The Evening Standard has reported that bona fide locksmiths who also use the stickers have suffered from residents’ suspicions. Wansteadium reader Tom Dolan, who tweeted above, contacted police about the stickers, and tried to ring the advertised number – but says it did not connect.

The SNT told Neighbourhood Watch coordinators that in parts of Wanstead individually vulnerable houses with, for instance, easy access to the back of the property, appeared to have been singled out. They advised householders to remove any stickers they see.

Wanstead weekend photo, LIV

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “This is another photograph taken on George Green… it seemed a shame not to make the most of the light. I’ve always assumed these trees were planted as a group but as you can see from the picture there appears to be an age difference, youngest on the left etc”

Wansteadium reader and Wanstead expert Richard Arnopp writes:

These trees – and a couple of other venerable survivors on Christchurch Green – were probably planted by Sir Josiah Child in the late seventeenth century, or his son Sir Richard (later Earl Tylney of Castlemaine). They were part of the great avenues which radiated from Wanstead House to Eagle Pond to the north, Leytonstone to the west, and Capel Road to the south.

Wanstead Christmas fairs 2013

A clutch of Christmassy events takes place in Wanstead on Saturday.

photo (18)* The first ever Wanstead Makers Market is at the Christchurch Hall from 10am to 4pm – offering locally made jewellery, clothes, homewares, cakes and a cafe. More details here.

*Our Lady of Lourdes’ Christmas Fayre is between noon and 4pm and will have real reindeer in attendance, a grotto and choir.

*Wanstead Church School too will be holdings its PTA Christmas Fayre.

*A German market will be held at Aldersbrook Bowls Club from 2pm until 6pm will have seasonal stalls, mulled wine, bratwurst and live music.

*The final Wanstead Farmers’ Market of 2013 will be taking place on Sunday in the usual place at the usual time.

Wanstead Christmas lights 2013

The start of Wanstead Christmas events takes place on Friday with the traditional turning on of the lights at the tree on George Green. People are invited to start turning up at 4.15 on Friday.

A digest of the weekend’s Christmas events will follow on this website on Friday.

PS. Wansteadium reader Tomskerous gives a sneak preview here:

And if you weren’t there, here’s the atmosphere boiled down into just five seconds.

Chez Churchill – sounds promising


An application to put a restaurant into the former Allied Irish Bank (and former Tory HQ of Winston Churchill) was approved on Monday night by Redbridge councillors.

The bank, properly known as the Manor House, has been vacant for more than a year, and there was a widespread belief that pizza chain Prezzo might open a branch there. This turned out not to be true.

However, Councillor Paul Canal tweeted on Monday night that plans had been approved. He wrote:

He added that the application was not from Prezzo, but was rather from a “Wanstead one-off”. And then, intriguingly, he described the plan as: “English/European Gastro style mid/up market cafe and eatery, hopefully some decent wines too!”

So potentially good news for a sign-writer too. More information as we get it. In the meantime, it might be diverting to wonder what Churchill-related name an English/European gastro style mid/up market cafe and eatery might choose. The V Sign. The Ugly Madam. (contd below…)

>Update: Paul Canal has added: “We need to avoid cheap chicken take aways,and work hard to preserve a good balance of retail. This project should stop some people being seduced by the bright lights of Westfield, create local jobs and bring more choice to Wanstead residents.”

The man behind the plan is Mark Foster, who lives in Wanstead. The plan is for a venue over two floors, opening at 8am.