Wansteadium

The council’s plan to install a raised platform at the Zebra crossing on Wanstead High Street outside the Corner House has become a bit clearer.

The plans were published earlier this year, but now there are markings on the road which indicate that the road is going to be substantially narrowed at the crossing, with a ramp which will bring the road level up to pavement height. This will bring it into line with the modern style for crossings – and we imagine will make the crossing somewhat safer. Vehicles will be slowed by the raised platform, and pedestrians will be on the road for less time.

Earlier this year there was a collision at the crossing in which a pedestrian was injured. In 2016, 91-year-old Basant Lal Sharma was killed on the crossing.

Is Wanstead zebra crossing unsafe?

We’ve been convinced for some time that Wes Streeting (MP for a part of the Greater Wansteadium area) will be the next leader of the Labour party. The Evening Standard agrees, apparently, according to this article by Emily Sheffield published on Friday.

Wanstead’s parklet is nearly a year old, and people’s views on it are now being collected. A research project by the University of Westminster is asking residents what they make of it by taking part in an online survey.

Officially known as the Wanstead Mobility Hub, the parklet was installed last Spring and initially (we thought) looked rather attractive, though the woods and plants are in need of a bit of TLC. But it’s the mobility aspects the survey is really interested in (see pic below), and the survey raises the prospect of the hub only being there on an experimental basis.

The survey is here: https://extraredbridge.commonplace.is

Wanstead’s pet owners – and indeed its pets – can breathe a sigh of relief.

Heads n Tails, Wanstead’s longstanding pet shop, will be remaining after Mas Beg’s imminent retirement. The shop is being taken over by owners of a nearby pet shop whose intention, we understand, is to continue the tradition he has set.

We wish them, and of course Mas (left), all the best.

It’s true: Treasured pet shop seeks new owner

A crowdfunding effort to make good the damage to the playground in Christchurch Green following a fire last month has raised more than £5,000 from Wanstead residents.

It was much more than was needed to replace the equipment (and squidgy ground) and, as promised by the crowdfunded’s organiser Paul Canal, the surplus has been donated to the Wanstead Fringe to help fund this year’s activities.

Giles Wilson, chair of the Wanstead Fringe Association, said it was hoped the donation would help fund some theatrical activity at this year’s Fringe. “We’re really grateful to all the donors whose generosity will be further helping the cultural life of Wanstead – and also to Paul who helped it happen.”

This year’s Wanstead Fringe is taking place between 10 and 25 September, with the Wanstead Festival happening on Sunday 18 September. The open air Kinema will be on Saturday 10 September and the Jumble Trail on Saturday 17th.

Following up the shots of a pseudo Wanstead High Street, with bakery fakery, fishy frontages and fake newsagents, is this Sky News local election coverage advert, kindly captured for us by reader EJ.