The ever-popular Ginger Pig, which has faithfully helped keep Wanstead’s meat-eaters satisfied through the past year, has suffered what looks like some kind of protest with its front window being smashed.
The attack might of course have been mere vandalism, rather than a protest, but in any case it has not put off the queues of customers who are keen to show the shop their support. One member of staff posted elsewhere: “I work for Ginger Pig and to say we re upset is an understatement. We haven’t stopped working since March and to have this happen just after Christmas is mindless, the shop is open as normal today and we’ll keep going “
Jim and Sue Carroll, organisers of Wanstead’s Poppy Appeal collection, write:
A huge thank you to the people of Wanstead for their response to this year’s poppy collection for the British Legion. In spite of the difficult circumstances and the very last minute change of plans (apologies to those of you who missed Jim the Poppy Man later in the week) as a result of the Government’s newest lockdown, you still gave extremely generously to the cause. A one day ‘flash sale’ of poppies outside the old bakers shop (sadly missed but very helpful for us) netted £1,184.48 in a single day, with socially distanced queues forming at the table! It took a little while to get the odds and ends in and counted because of the sudden door closures, but we are proud to say that the Wanstead area collected £3,247.35, a bit over half of the normal annual rate.
Specials mentions to Moments and Wanstead Station, both of whom really surprised everyone and also to Daisy the Florist, Harveys the Grocers and Cafe ChiChi, not only for doing really well, the last two as first time collecting stations, but for staying open during the lockdowns to keep us supplied with what might not be life saving essentials, but were certainly mental health essentials!
With the vaccines coming on line we hope that next year will have something like normal service, but in the meantime we would like to wish everybody a happy and most importantly healthy 2021.
Thanks again Jim and Sue Carroll Wanstead poppy people
Front-of-house Christmas decorations have got more elaborate and brighter than ever this year – a by-product of lockdown perhaps – but we’ve not seen anything to top this display on Cranbourne Ave.
This is a weekend when Wanstead folk can make a difference to local traders, especially since opportunities to shop wider afield are limited (and may well get more limited by this time next week).
Alongside reliable gift and treat suppliers such as the Art Shop, the Larder, More Italy and others, this year there are more choices than last. Truffles Trinkets and Travel has reclaimed a treasured Wanstead name in its traditional position, and Daygustation offers new options for presents for wine lovers.
But there are other options too.
Percy Langley is billing itself as Wanstead’s own department store and is doing something pretty cool. Set up by local mums Poppy and George, the shop curates products sourced from independent British designers, and has been featured in the Guardian and Grazia.
George and Poppy from Percy Langley
Poppy says: “We stock fine contemporary jewellery, knitwear & accessories, baby and childrens wear, books, toys, games, home wear and lifestyle products. All of our products produced by independent British businesses, many of whom are local to East London.”
Muriel and Me, run by local Bryony MacQueen, has a range of Wanstead-themed gifts available including new tea towels featuring St Mary’s church, along with the very popular Wanstead placemats and coasters. Bryony was one of the traders who was looking forward to last weekend’s farmers’ market which was cancelled at the 11th hour because of rising Covid rates. But her online shop is open for business.
Wanstead Bookshop – we wouldn’t be doing ourselves justice if we didn’t mention that Wanstead’s new local bookshop is offering 75 gift ideas – this is a great Christmas for people who love books. And it’s not yet too late to order books for delivery by Christmas – gift vouchers are also available which are delivered by email (these can be printed out and sent to the gift recipient or simply forwarded to them).
We’re happy to feature any more gift ideas from local traders – just let us know viainfo@wansteadium.com
An appeal to raise money for a bench in memory of local heroine Jill Stock, who was killed in a road traffic collision last year, has met its target and then some. Her friends and neighbours answered the call and now plans for the memorial can proceed.
Her family have taken another step to remember her work. Jill loved Wanstead and created a montage of lots of characters and sights, which she had made into a jigsaw puzzle. She and husband Mick would sell these at a stall at the Farmers’ Market (though many suspected this was really just a ruse to chat to people).
Now the puzzles are available to buy online at a site the family has set up. There is also a range of cards and prints on the site, all available at this address.
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