Photographer Russell Boyce has brought his exhibition of portraits of Wanstead High Street shopkeepers to Christchurch Green. The portraits, compiled into a book which he has published, tell the story of some of the best known faces in Wanstead and is a great record of the high street during difficult times.
The book is available from the Wanstead Bookshop stall inside City Place Coffee on the High Street, price £6.
Christchurch Green’s new kiosk is taking shape, along with new pledges from Redbridge about the impact it will have on the green.
A meeting held between residents, councillors and council officers resulted in assurances that the kiosk will not be serving alcohol except for during occasional events such as the Wanstead Festival. The kiosk will also avoid using single-use plastics, and there will be “enhanced litter picking”.
There will also be a new team patrolling all Redbridge green spaces, including Christchurch Green, to tackle anti-social behaviour. And, as we reported last week, the toilet block is to be refurbished.
A new Friends of Christchurch Green group has been set up – anyone interested in taking part can reach them on friendsofccgreen@gmail.com.
Jo Blackman, one of the Wanstead councillors, said they would continue to raise residents’ concerns about the kiosk and said: “We hope the friends group will provide a constructive forum for direct engagement between residents, Vision and the council about the use of the green for the community.”
Meanwhile as the kiosk takes shape, early signs are, in Wansteadium’s view, that it does not look like it will be the visual offence that some feared based on the planning document’s projections.
So it’s now obvious what will become of the former Nationwide Building Society on Wanstead High St. Congratulations to those concerned!
In the dim and distant days of December, there were worries (remember?) that the Christmas tree sellers who were positioned on Christchurch Green would damage the grass.
That didn’t seem to happen, and it’s especially cheering to see that the daffodils which are in the same position are showing no signs of being affected either.
Ukraine aid donated by Redbridge residents is being delivered in person by the leader of Redbridge Council, Jas Athwal, who has been telling TV interviewers about the mission.
In the past 24 hours he’s been on C5, ITV and BBC London – here he is speaking to Jeremy Vine:
This week, we’re asking #HowYouCanHelp support the people of Ukraine.
— Jeremy Vine On 5 (@JeremyVineOn5) March 10, 2022
We spoke to Councillor @Jas_Athwal, who’s currently delivering essential supplies to the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine: How You Can Help, on @channel5_TV at 9pm Friday@thejeremyvine | #JeremyVine pic.twitter.com/FvpLcLRXQk
A new professional theatre company – the Wanstead Theatre Co – has been launched by a local actor. Its first production will be taking place in in April.
The company is the work of Fiona Gordon who has been the main mover in helping theatre come to the Wanstead Fringe, having been involved in the Railway Children and the Secret Garden productions.
The new company’s first production will be a revival of a play by Sue Townsend, creator of Adrian Mole. It is Bazaar & Rummage, a tale of a group of agoraphobics who decide to embark on self-help by staging a jumble sale.
It was originally staged at the Royal Court in 1982, and the new production will recreate the 80s feeling with the right tunes, outfits and even a real jumble sale going on in the interval. It will be complemented with a serving of chicken in a basket (or veggie alternative), promising that the whole experience will be a memorable first production.
Fiona said: “As we all know, Wanstead has everything! Except for a professional theatre company. Encouraged and supported by the Fringe over the years to bring productions like The Secret Garden made me realise that our community is full of creative talent and residents who really love theatre. Our mission is to employ local talent, wherever possible, and bring the quality of the West End to Wanstead.
“We are a community that can really talk to each other so when we think about future productions, I know we can ask for suggestions and ideas and consequently put on a show that Wanstead really wants to see.”
The venture is being supported by the Wanstead Fringe, which hopes that it will be the start of a long and fruitful relationship and will mean more live theatre taking place in Wanstead.
Giles Wilson, chair of the Wanstead Fringe, said: “The whole point of the Fringe is to encourage and support cultural activities in Wanstead, so it’s the best news that Fiona’s new company is getting off the ground.
“We know there’s huge appetite for cultural events taking place here, and so this is really good day.”
The company’s website is here. The production is also being supported by local estate agents Petty Son & Prestwich.
Tickets are now available online here, through Wansteadium. There will be eight productions between 21 and 30 April.
