Landmark Wanstead House book now available to pre-order

Wansteadium reader Nigel Franceschi writes:

I am sure that many Wanstead residents will be aware by now that, for the past three and a half years, Dr Hannah Armstrong has been writing what will surely become the definitive book on the history of Wanstead House. 

Due to be published by Liverpool University Press on behalf of Historic England in March 2022, ‘Wanstead House: East London’s Lost Palace’ will cover the history of the park, the house and its owners in unprecedented detail.

‘Wanstead House: East London’s Lost Palace’ will fascinate anyone who enjoys visiting Wanstead Park, or who has an interest in the history of the magnificent Palladian mansion that stood at its heart or who wants to learn more about the lives of the people who lived there. Whatever connection you may have to Wanstead Park, you will surely want to take advantage of this wonderful offer and, in so doing, help to contribute to the book’s success.

The book is now available for pre-order through Wanstead Bookshop. When it’s published next March the cost will be £45, but pre-ordering now will get you a £15 discount. Liverpool University Press’s publication costs are being financed through pre-orders, so ordering it now will help the success of the whole project.

Allotment gardeners dig in

Wanstead allotment holders have collected more than 2,700 signatures for a petition against their plots being converted into a lorry park for a gas company.

The plots are on Redbridge Lane West, near Wanstead High School and by the side of the A12. Gas company Cadent wants to use the land for at least two years to park its vehicles while it carries out maintenance on its gas works which are next door.

The plan, which would not start until spring next year, could coincide with the work on building Wanstead’s new swimming pool at Wanstead Leisure Centre on the same stretch of road.

More than 40 plot holders are being offered the option to take a two-year ‘holiday’ from their allotments or to relocate to another site, but it’s not completely clear where they could be accommodated.

The site is owned by Redbridge Council which has not yet decided about the proposal.

Gardener Sally Parker, one of those who would be affected, said: “The allotment site is a natural meadow, with huge biodiversity value. There are wild flowers, fruit and other trees, wildlife including newts and toads and a pond, as well as a host of well nurtured allotment plots. Irreparable damage will be caused to the soil structure.

“The plot holders do not believe that the gas company understands how much effort goes into establishing and maintaining a plot. People have devoted their care, time and money over years into erecting infrastructure such as sheds, greenhouses, raised beds, walkways and frames to name just a few things. For many plot holders, including the elderly and those who live alone, their allotments have been even more invaluable during the pandemic, providing much needed outdoor exercise and contact with other plot holders.”

A spokesperson for Cadent told the Ilford Recorder that no firm decisions had been made and that they were continuing to consult with allotment holders and the council to look at all options.

The gardeners are appealing for more people to sign their petition which can be found here.

Artist’s impression

City Place Coffee – currently under construction at the former site of Percy Ingle – has commissioned artist David Kavanagh to produce these drawings of Wanstead. Very nice too – the effect of the one of St Mary’s Avenue reminds you that the road was once one of the main ways to reach the old Wanstead House. Nowadays it leads to the cricket club of course.

Wanstead’s thinnest house

Picture: Petty Son & Prestwich

A Wanstead house which is just 8ft 5in wide – reputedly narrower than a Central Line carriage – has become a cause célèbre for the nation’s tabloids.

The one-bedroom house on New Wanstead was recently on sale for £275,000 through Petty Son and Prestwich, and is now under offer. That’s something of a snip, provided you’re on the slim side. It has two floors, with a living room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, a double bedroom upstairs, front patio space and off-street parking.

Both the Sun and the Mirror featured the house, placing it alongside other examples of London’s narrowest houses, which includes a Shepherd’s Bush house which is just 5ft 5ins wide.

The Mirror said the price made the house “more expensive than the UK average of £251,500 – though the London average is £496,066”.