Wansteadium

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “After I photographed [fallen] trees, I just had to take a final picture of the once Wanstead Police Station. The decision to close it was on and off for such a long time, one did wonder whether it would truly come about. Seeing it yesterday with all the windows boarded the iconic Blue Lamp gone it is obviously finally over. The last emotion felt was that I have captured it in all forms for future historical interest. The pictures are all safely in my archive.”

Suki Orange, Wansteadium’s food blogger, writes:

Today’s Observer has a story about the increasing trend for West End restaurants refusing to take bookings and expecting their diners to queue up outside for a table, Wonk Kei-style. Mr Orange and I could have done with a bit of that ourselves this weekend.

We were taking the rare opportunity of someone babysitting the satsumas to have a night out. But because of the Central Line weekend closure (which seems to create a weekend-long mood of splendid isolation which Agatha Christie or Stephen King would use as the backdrop for some heinous criminality in otherwise civilised company… Anya Lipska, are you reading???) we, like everyone else, had the choice of George Lane or Wanstead High Street.

Reader, we chose Wanstead. I know my review of SumoFresh is massively overdue, but I have been minded to let things settle. While the overwhelming response of readers of Wanstead Talk is positive, and my own experience there has been joyful, I wanted to give a really rounded verdict. So we confidently walked up, knowing that – as is apparently so now – they don’t take reservations. We knew we would dine.

Except that they have just started taking bookings. And were fully booked, of course.

So it was an unplanned return to Provender, where we were welcomed as locals, and promised a spot within 45 minutes, which allowed a short visit to the Cuckfield (where a small glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a pint of Sierra Nevada cost just shy of a tenner). Provender, as ever, was a delight. Central London prices, yes, but Central London food too. Duck for me (who you might call L’Orange) and a meaty steak of brill for Monsieur with luxurious creamed spinach. No starters, no pudding, one bottle of wine and a couple of drinks, and a £90 bill. Phewee. At least we could walk home.

Central Line? We could live without you. (Though please please be working again by Monday morning.)

Three full months after it appeared, the mysterious and alarmingly deep hole in Nightingale Lane has now been fixed. Or perhaps enough stuff has just fallen into it to fill it up. No, it’s definitely been fixed.

What with this and Wansteadium reaching another landmark in the numbers of e-mail subscribers – now 700! – it seems celebrations are in order. (You too can get our e-mails – use the form here.)

Perhaps an evening at Wanstead Comedy Night tonight, Thursday? Here is the full billing for what is becoming Wanstead’s top night out. Especially when they keep shutting the Central Line at weekends.

DfES: 'SPS does not have a history of underperformance and has made significant progress…' 1/2.

— sps parents (@SaveSnaresbrook) October 29, 2013

DfES: ' We therefore do not plan to intervene to convert Snaresbrook to an academy' 2/2 great work everyone and great outcome!

— sps parents (@SaveSnaresbrook) October 29, 2013

Thanks so much for all the support and help. Such a relief that the DfES have given us a reprieve!

— sps parents (@SaveSnaresbrook) October 29, 2013

Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “I thought this photograph of the sky was an appropriate picture for today as we wait for the promised high winds and gales tonight. This was taken earlier this week, clouds are always fascinating. It was the three layers in the sky that drew my attention, the warm colours at the bottom, then the grey clouds in the centre and finally a little blue sky on top. Let’s see what tonight brings.”