Bruce the swan – the painting

Wanstead artist David Kavanagh has captured Bruce the black swan, which has been visiting Eagle Pond recently, but only in a good way.

David writes: “I’m an artist based in Wanstead, currently working on a number of paintings of local scenes. I’ve just finished the latest of these, which is of Snaresbrook Crown Court, viewed across Eagle Pond. Hopefully you will spot that I’ve included the recent guest that has appeared on the pond – the beautiful black swan. The original painting will be available for sale shortly, but in the meantime I have produced a small number of prints, which I thought might be of interest.”

The prints are available through his Etsy page, which is here, and to see more of David’s work you can follow him on Instagram.

Wheelie roll-out

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The long-awaited roll-out of wheelie bins across Wanstead is about to take place, residents have been told, with bins being delivered in the coming weeks.

All properties have been assessed by Redbridge officials for their suitability for wheelie bins, and those which are deemed not suitable will be receiving red bin bags instead.

The information circulated by Redbridge confirms that the borough collects the fifth highest amount of rubbish in England. We don’t believe we’ve seen a logical explanation for this, but perhaps wheelie bins might bring the borough into line with other councils

Intriguingly the leaflet promises a “bin amnesty” – for those go-ahead households who bought their own wheelie bins and now would be landed with two. Well, the council is offering to help take unwanted bins off their hands.

What will happen to the conventional bins houses have had for years and years is less clear. Guess they’ll be have to be thrown away. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, huh?

New look for loved old Wanstead building

The old Grove Hall on Grosvenor Road – until a few years ago the church hall of Wanstead United Reformed Church – has undergone an enormous refurbishment in preparation for becoming a Montessori school.

The hall, now owned by Treehouse Nursery, will be hosting 90 under-fives each day, and will give employment to a significant extra number of staff. Grove Montessori, as it will be known, is to open in the next few weeks.

The building has for many years played a big part in the lives of Wanstead people – during the War, for instance, families whose houses had been bombed were allowed to store their furniture in the hall. It was an active church hall until a few years ago when it became an after school club.

But the new school has meant a large refurbishment by Treehouse owners Paul Samouelle and Maria Sanchez, including the addition of a second floor where the hall previously was.

  • The hall’s original doors have been retained
  • The stained glass at the front of the hall has been completely replaced
  • There is a stunning new room upstairs which shows the ceiling and a new view of the church
  • A two-metre-long tropical fish tank
  • A heated splash pool for the children
  • One modern room of the hall has been demolished to give the school a bigger garden…
  • … complete with barbecue hut