We kind of missed this during lockdown, but the new flats built behind the Manor House Bull look, to Wansteadium’s untrained eye, quite acceptable. Other views are of course possible.
Friday night spectacular
The complete gridlock which hit Wanstead on Friday afternoon and evening was something to behold. Nothing could move anywhere – caused, it is believed, by an earlier lorry crash which seized up Charlie Brown and Redbridge roundabouts. Thankfully it appears no one was injured.
*Update**
— My London (@myldn) May 21, 2021
Police said there were no injuries and LAS confirmed no one was taken to hospital
Police and firefighters at Woodford Avenue after lorry overturns on Clayhall roundabout causing delays for drivers at Charlie Browns and Redbridge Roundabouthttps://t.co/02nXwl5kYh
Wes Streeting announces cancer diagnosis
Wansteadium sends its best wishes to Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, who has announced he has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. His statement came in a tweet, below. Wes’s constituency includes much of the Nightingale Estate south of Hermon Hill/Chigwell Road.
I want to share some personal news.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) May 14, 2021
From the end of next week, I’m going to be away from work for a little while as I’m about to undergo treatment for kidney cancer in the safe hands of the NHS.
Personal statement: pic.twitter.com/kUk1kqb0BM
Good looking
There is lots of anti-social graffiti around, but this example on one of the supports for the M11 in the Roding Valley Park is in a different class altogether. Views?
Wanstead Post Office attempted robber jailed
A man who attempted to rob Wanstead Post Office while pretending to be carrying a gun has been jailed for 16 years. Steven Ifield, 52, of Hornchurch was refused by staff at the post office who told him the till was on a time lock.
He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week. The Metropolitan Police have issued this press release:
An armed robber who targeted two banks and a post office in Redbridge has been jailed.
Steven Ifield, 52 (08.02.69) of Park Lane, Hornchurch appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 30 April. He was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.
Following a two week trial at the same court in January, Ifield was found guilty of two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and three counts of possession of an imitation firearm.
Between 7 October and 7 November 2019, Ifield targeted two banks and a post office in Gants Hill and Wanstead.
On two occasions he produced what police believe to have been an imitation handgun but which to staff, appeared genuine.
On the third occasion, he used a folded walking stick half concealed inside a carrier bag and held it as if he was carrying a shotgun.
He pointed the imitation weapons at staff, demanding that they give him money.
At the banks, Ifield managed to steal cash and stuffed it into his coat before fleeing. He made off with £3,230 from one raid and £1,360 from the other.
His attempt to rob the post office was foiled when staff refused to open the till, telling him it was on a time lock.
Detectives identified Ifield after tracing the route he took as he fled the scene of each robbery.
By examining extensive CCTV from buses, shops and tube stations, they were able to follow his movements and place him at all three venues at the times the raids took place.
PC Stefen Rule, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “Ifield has a long and serious offending history, including nine previous armed robberies. Each one will have caused a huge amount of distress to the innocent members of staff who were targeted.
“I am pleased that he will no longer be able to pose a threat to the public. I hope that these convictions and the length of the sentence imposed by the court will be of some comfort to the victims and help alleviate the trauma they have experienced.”
Oof
The stormy weather made short work of this Buckingham Road tree.