Wansteadium

No, not statistics about break-ins, but the unveiling of new characters from Wanstead’s own crime writer Anya Lipska takes place on BBC Radio 4 on Friday afternoon.

Anya, a former resident whose characters and scenes have often veered into and near Wanstead, is the author of the Kiszka and Kershaw novels Where the Devil Can’t Go, Death Can’t Take a Joke and A Devil Under the Skin. 

Her new character Cassie Raven is a mortuary assistant – the first of the new series of books will be published in the new year. But in the meantime,  Open and Shut, a short story, will be broadcast at 3.45pm and available on the BBC website afterwards at this page.

A reminder to save the dates for the Wanstead Fringe – this year running from 7 to 15 September. It will feature more theatre than ever before, top comedy, live music, talks, demonstrations, lots of favourites and some exciting new events too. The Jumble Trail will take place on Saturday 14 September, as will the open air Kinema. Details of events will be released here on Wansteadium over the next few weeks

If you want to run an event, there is still – just – time to get in touch with the Fringe organisers to be part of it. Email michelle@wansteadfringe.org

And if you want to advertise in the Fringe programme, which will get your advert seen by thousands of Wanstead residents AND do your bit to support culture and the arts in Wanstead, then please get in touch with us here: advertising@wansteadfringe.org

Attending the funeral of Jill Stock an amazing woman, pillar of the community and a great friend to the local police team. She will be sorely missed by us all. pic.twitter.com/eUlqsvppqL

— Wanstead Park Police (@MPSWansteadPark) June 24, 2019

 

Wansteadium is very sorry to hear of the tragic death of true Wanstead character Jill Stock, who died in a road traffic collision at the end of last month. An inquest into her death is being held.

Jill was one of the most community-minded people we have ever come across. A regular commenter on these pages (always reasonable and constructive), she was one of the area’s coordinators for Neighbourhood Watch, actively running a WhatsApp group through which she encouraged residents to look out for each other and for vulnerable residents. She also made a point of personally getting to know as many people as she could.

She was a nurse for 46 years and used her retirement to the full. Each year she would organise a street party for residents of Cranbourne Avenue and surrounding roads. She so loved Wanstead – where she lived for 44 years – that some years ago she made a collage jigsaw of photos of residents and sites from years gone by, which she would sell at a farmers’ market stall.

Jill’s funeral is to be held at the City of London Crematorium on Monday 24 June at 3.30pm.  The dress code will be ‘bright and cheerful’, which was just like Jill. Anyone wishing to make donations is being asked by her family to consider giving to the RNLI, which she supported, and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which flew her when injured to hospital in Bristol so she could get the best care.

Jill’s daughter Kate said: “Mum felt passionate about bringing people together so it will be a fitting tribute bringing together her family, friends and the wider community to celebrate her life.”

 

Clive Fenner, a Wanstead stalwart, as well as a musician, artist, teacher and jazz impressario, has died after a long illness. 

Clive was a consistently engaging conversationalist, a regular at the Larder and around Wanstead, and the moving force behind the East Side Jazz Club in Leytonstone. Each summer he would lead a jazz school in France, and had recently been doing the same in Cuba. 

His funeral will be held in the North Chapel of the City of London Crematorium on Thursday 23 May at 3.15pm. Here is a clip of the man in action. He will be sadly  missed. 

Barrel Boulangerie, the cafe/restaurant which has taken the spot previously occupied by the Currant, has opened for a bustling first day.

Wansteadium’s monitor on the spot, Lucy, reports that it now has lots more tables than the Currant had and definitely has its focus on food. “Ciabattas, pizzas (proper pizza oven), crepes, open sandwiches; decent coffee; nice looking cakes. Felt busy and bustling, and a bit crazed! But then, it was the first lunchtime….,” she writes.

So it sounds like a very promising start – though in a move which will upset Currant regulars, dogs are now not allowed.  Reviews from early customers are welcome here, and as is the Wansteadium tradition, we wish the new owners and workers the best of luck in their venture. Also it has a very smart floor.

Menus are:

• The list of Wanstead traders with francophone nomenclature grows to eight… Le Voyage, Beauté Parfaite, Click Beautique, Provender, Café Brasserie, Jo Jo Maman Bébé, et Le Marmiton.