Wanstead Fringe: It’s a wrap

photo 2 (3)
The Wanstead Fringe went out in a blaze of glory on Saturday with a great comedy night thanks to Jon Fentiman and headline act Dave Hadingham (pictured).

It came after storyteller Tony Cranston’s workshop, below, and the Wanstead Village Show and flower weekend. Paul Canal’s brave cherry pie effort came second in its class, behind Wanstead’s new top baker Kathryn McKenna. Kathryn, we have a quantity of local celebrity for you if you would like to claim it.

photo 1 (1)

photo 1 (2)

photo 3 (2)

photo 2 (2)

So that’s it for the fringe’s first year. Do get in touch if you want to be involved next year. Thank you to everyone who took part. Good show, Wanstead.

The Wanstead Fringe 2013 was brought by Tracey Abedowale-Jones, Lisa Affleck, Nick Affleck, Sanjay Batra, Gavin Bell, Bleech, Mark Braniff, Cheryl Braniff, Dan Clapton, Jane Clapton, Susan Clark, Gabrielle Collard, Richard Corbyn, Wanstead Cricket Club, Roger Estop, Jon Fentiman, Liza Finn, John Gilsenan, Wanstead Golf Club, Bethan Grimshaw, Jason Harris, Lorna Harris, Claire Hogg, James Hogg, Katriya Ibrahim, Debbie Jones, Matt Keen, Ben Kelly, Susan Knight, The Larder, Anya Lipska, Ali MacQueen, Michael Mullinger, Georgia Newman, Wanstead Oxfam, David Plane, Petty Son and Prestwich, Caroline Roberts, Mark Rutherford, Teresa Rutherford, Peter Sandy, Lisa Scott Keen, Lucy Serpell, Suzanne Taylor, Time For Tea, Marian Temple, Mick Terry, Mohi Uddin, John Wagstaff, Jennifer Walker, Robert Webb, Geoff Wilkinson, Lynne Wilkinson, Giles Wilson, Maura Wilson, Dan Woodley.

Today at the Wanstead Fringe, Day 8

Our mini-marathon reaches its climax today with a whole clutch of events.

The day starts in Aldersbrook at St Gabriel’s church hall with a children’s storytelling workshop with world-travelled storyteller Tony Cranston. Come at 1030 for an hour and a fantastical time.

NB POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT SUNDAY After that there is the children’s cycle challenge on Christchurch Green – an obstacle course and skills challenges to put youngsters through their paces. Children must be accompanied by an adult – but come and win prizes, courtesy of Morvelo.

The Wanstead Village Show will be taking place at Christchurch Hall, along with the church’s flower weekend. See if your cherry pie is a winner.

There are more chances to experience yoga with trees, and the much admired photo walks with Geoff Wilkinson.

And humans aren’t the only ones enjoying the Pocket of Green installation at Time For Tea – which will now run for an extra week.

20130914-083416.jpg

And tonight we have the final event of the 2013 Wanstead Fringe – the comedy night. Here are some things which have been written about our headliner Dave Hadingham:

A consummate comic. Some of the stuff’s near-the-proverbial-knuckle but that’s surely the point, and he not only wins you over but gets you thinking too. Damn fine stuff.

Had to wipe away the tears of laughter, can you ask for more?
A thoroughly sick, but hilarious comic. Pushes everything right to the wire, but he’s really, really good.

IN OTHER NEWS
You may have read elsewhere about the Wanstead Miracle of 2013 when a valiant troupe of four score hardy souls turned their backs on society’s norms and demonstrated that if they wanted to sit in the pouring rain watching a film on an inflatable screen, then that’s just what they would do. Some realised the secret to the task lay in becoming truly childlike – by becoming absorbed in the twists and turns of the film rather than the drips and groans of sodden clothing. All who came were modern day heroes.

And just up the high street, the second and final Music at the Larder gig of the Fringe took place – once again to rave reviews. Thanks to all the musicians – and music lovers – who have supported the Fringe.

The Wanstead Miracle, 2013

photo (15)
The drizzle turned into rain, inspite of crossed fingers, sundances, wishful thinking, and whatever else people do. But more than 80 people turned up to the Wanstead Kinema, and stayed despite teeming rain. At least half were left by the end of Despicable Me. Resilience, bloody-mindedness, determination to make the #wansteadfringe memorable, whatever it was, tonight was the Wanstead Miracle of 2013.

photo 2 (1) photo 3 photo 2

https://twitter.com/MissisBeekeeper/status/378601990181650432

Today at the Wanstead Fringe, day 7

fringex4The penultimate day of the first Wanstead Fringe is going to be a belter. What promises to be the biggest event of the week takes place at the Wanstead Cricket Club at Overton Drive – yes, it’s the long awaited return of cinema/kinema to Wanstead, provided by outdoor film experts Chilming.

Already more than 200 tickets have been sold, which is amazing – and which means you won’t want to miss out on the atmosphere of this event. People will start assembling from 6pm, and the film will start some time after 6.30. Bring some plastic sheets or waterproof picnic blankets to sit on, jumpers, coats and brollies (just in case) and lamps or torches for extra atmos. If you’re really ambitious, you could bring a gazebo (though you’ll have to pitch it at the edges so as not to obstruct the view). Bring a picnic while you’re at it – the club bar will be open, and there will be lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolate available too from the boot of a Beetle (no joke).

We will sell tickets online until 4pm – though some will be available at the gate.

5032_220294330656_5031489_n

1006224_424151581032183_1749103468_n

Mick Terry And after the film the second of the Larder music nights will take place. Tuesday – the first night – is an event people are still raving about.

Tonight it’s Ali MacQueen, Georgia and the Dales and Mick Terry playing. Funny what a good venue the Larder has turned out to be!

IN OTHER NEWS
Two storming events took place on Thursday. Firstly there was a complete sell-out at the Lane for the banquet of curry and local ales. They’re natural bedfellows, of course, but what a good idea to put them together so creatively.

And secondly there was a great discussion about the role of crime in East London with local novelist Anya Lipska and Newham-born Barbara Nadel.

Just a reminder of the remaining events.

Saturday: Children’s storytelling workshop
Saturday: Kids’ cycle challenge
Saturday: The Wanstead Village Show
Saturday: Wanstead Photo Walk
Saturday: Yoga among the trees
Wanstead Fringe Comedy Special! The climax of a fantastic week.

Today at the Wanstead Fringe, Day 6

We’re nearing the climax of the Wanstead Fringe, and Thursday offers a couple of gems on the way.

UntitledCrime writers Barbara Nadel and Anya Lipska (left, an active Wanstead tweeter) will be speaking in the Larder tonight about why East London offers such fruitful ground for crime writers. Anya touched on some of these themes in her article for Wansteadium last week. As well as talking about their writing, they will be reading from their books. If you’re into crime novels you’re not going to want to miss this. From 7pm.

menuAnd nearby at the Lane restaurant on Nightingale Lane, there is a banquet of contemporary, hand-crafted curry accompanied by locally brewed beer supplied by the Wanstead Tap. Click here to see the menu in detail, and please note booking is essential and you can only do this by phoning the Lane directly (020 8989 1500).

IN OTHER FRINGE NEWS
The Made In Wanstead event, at which six Wanstead folk talked about things (or changes) they had made was a remarkably thoughtful evening, full of fascinating and moving tales. Chairs made from guitars, whales made from clay, secret meadows made from bits of scrubland, and new life made for old buildings through stunning architecture – they were some of the physical things people spoke about. But Wanstead resident Peter Sandy spoke about something more abstract – changing the social and emotional wellbeing of teenagers through the boxing club he’s involved in – Box4Life in Leytonstone. The evening had aimed to be about making things and making a difference, and it certainly delivered on that. Thanks to Robert Webb for organising and Andrew and the staff at Oxfam for hosting so generously.

AND ALSO
Just so you don’t forget, these events are still to come.
Friday: Open Air Cinema – Despicable Me – at the Cricket Club. The forecast is improving – get your tickets here!
Friday: Music at the Larder II: Ali MacQueen, Georgia and the Dales, and Mick Terry
Saturday: Children’s storytelling workshop at 1030 with world-travelled storyteller Tony Cranston
Saturday: Kids’ cycle challenge (scooters too!) on Christchurch Green
Saturday: The Wanstead Village Show – have you baked your Cherry Pie?
Saturday: Another chance to do a Wanstead Photo Walk
Saturday: Another chance to do yoga among the trees
SATURDAY NIGHT! FRINGE FINALE!!
Wanstead Fringe Comedy Special! Do not miss this event – it’s going to crown this wonderful week of events. Get more info and tickets here.