Category: Wansteadium

It was always going to be a challenge to build on the hugely successful Olympic campsite that was held at Wanstead’s Eton Manor rugby club ground last summer. But the club members seem to be rising to it.

Club member and Wansteadium reader Andy Morton writes:

“On the playing field the 1st Team are, this Saturday, 27 April, going head to head with Basingstoke RFC in a playoff, the prize for the winner being a place in the National Leagues. Large numbers of Club members are expected to travel to support the team.

“Success has not been limited only to the 1st Team however. The 2s were crowned Champions of their division and gained promotion, with their youthful team, aided by a handful of more experienced players to guide when needed, triumphing with a record of 17 wins from 18 games. The 3rd team followed suit finishing a close second in their League and also winning promotion.

“The increase in the number of Club members and a positive mood throughout has led to the formation of a 4th senior side this season giving ample opportunity for new and existing members alike to find a team to play in and enjoy their Rugby. And if all that wasn’t enough, the Under 15s were crowned Champions of their League and the Under 13s won the Essex Cup Final against Chelmsford.”

Congratulations from Wansteadium to all those who have been involved this season, and good luck to the first team on Saturday.

Across the gardens and parks of Wanstead, Spring is springing and the blossom is .. blossoming. The lissom bluebells of Wanstead Park are due, and so presumably are the first droning lawnmowers of the season.

Over at Jubilee Pond on the Western side of Wanstead Flats, the vernal overtures are slightly behind schedule, due to a body of works being carried out by the Corporation of London (@COLEppingForest).

This is easily explained; last summer this general area hosted a temporary Metropolitan Police base, which accommodated the extra cohorts of Police officers who came to safeguard the Olympic Games in Stratford.

Though originally controversial with local nature lovers (and firework aficionados – the ground was still too damaged for Newham’s Bonfire Night celebrations to go ahead) at the time, these pictures show how the Corporation has chosen to invest the compensation received.

Hopefully as the pond matures, bird life will recover and generations of local people including the nascent Wanstead Nature Club (see pic) will be able to appreciate the seasonal comings and goings centred on our rich local habitats.

The source of much angst to many Wanstead residents – the cutting down of iconic chestnut trees on St Mary’s Avenue – achieved some closure on Wednesday with the planting of new saplings.

Wansteadium reader Caroline Barkus writes: “Just to let you know that the trees were replaced down St Mary’s Avenue today [Weds]. Yesterday they were digging the holes and today they planted. Looks like they have opted to plant sweet chestnuts (castanea sativa) instead of horse chestnuts. This is probably due to the infection that is blighting horse chestnuts in the UK.”