UPDATED: Posters advertising a circus on George Green next week have mystified many residents who say this is the first they have heard of it.
One Wansteadium reader, Justin, says: “I am not sure that we want a circus installed within the relatively tight confines of George Green.” Another, Mark, says: “I wonder when I and other residents were going to be formally informed of this? I think given the size of the Green and its close proximity to residents this event is totally inappropriate.”
The Circus Fantasia is advertising its events between 5 and 10 July. Â One reader has speculated that the event might be staged on the Green rather than on Wanstead Flats because of the roadworks on Blake Hall Road.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation told Wansteadium:
“The City of London Corporation has licensed Circus Fantasia on George Green from Tuesday 5th July to Sunday 10th July. Equipment for the Circus will draw onto the site from Friday 1st July. The Circus operates two weekday early evening performances at 5.00 and 7.30pm and 2pm matinees at the weekend and should not provide noise nuisance in the late evening.
Circus Fantasia is a much smaller Circus than the large Big Tops licensed on Wanstead Flats and  Chingford Plain and should fit well on George Green. No car parking on George Green is being provided as the Circus wishes to play to local audiences using Wanstead’s excellent local sustainable transport links.
We did also speak to Redbridge Officers ahead of confirming the event last year and are confident that Permitted Development Rights in the Conservation Area support temporary events of this nature.
Head Keeper Martin Newnham will undertake site checks ahead of the draw on to ensure the site which has received a great amount of rain is capable of receiving the big top and vehicles
@Wansteadium Seen on George Green earlier! A new local advertising opportunity seems to have opened up. pic.twitter.com/yg9UREbPMB
— Milquetoast (@Milquetoast1) June 24, 2016
Frankly I’m just concerned how this will impact on house prices!
How much are they paying to use the Green?
Were the local residents consulted?
It must be a VERY small tent, because there are trees all over the green. It does seem an odd choice to me.
This will look terrible on the Green! Too tacky for Wanstead! 🙁
Paul, hard to tell but you are saying that in with tongue firmly in cheek aren’t you?
Ha ha, Wanstead deserves nothing less than the cirque du soleil. What a snob…
Andy Copley …. Now that’s more like it!
Have to say am quite excited. Will be great for the kids/grandkids – we’ll all be able to walk to it, great family evening out, nice treat. Surely be great for the restaurants on the high street as people/families will be able to go to dinner after? I’ll be getting tickets for sure.
Where will all the circus vehicles park?
Oh dear.. Agree too tacky. And More rubbish
Yes I have complained to the local Councillors seems the City of London did not consult Hope they have sorted out car parking
Lived in wanstead 49 years and theres never been nothing on the green it will ruin the area and look tacky it should b where irs always been wanstead flats
No no no no no Donna Dearest
I am appalled that those of us who are likely to be affected most weren’t consulted. Where is the democracy in this?
Why can’t it stay on the flats? Further away from people’s homes I couldn’t believe it when I saw the sign …..I live close to the Wanstead flats By the way.
It’s a 5 day circus aimed at families not an all night rave. Don’t hear these complaints when music in the park is on or the Wanstead festival which go on much later in the evening.
Totally agree! If it wasn’t so expensive, would have loved to take my LO. Clips of it on YouTube look amazing
I saw on poster tickets £6.50 for first performance on 5 July great value
Usually the Festival & music in the park are for local people but this is bringing outsiders in with all the problems that go along with that ( mainly traffic & parking issues), not to mention dumped rubbish & damage to the Green.
Outsiders?? Can i come? I’m from Leytonstone but i will try and contain my chavvy outsider tendancies.
your more than welcome Vicky Allen as long as u don’t drive or bring any rubbish with u…:or damage the beloved green ððððððððð
I’ve sat on The Green before and, despite my backside being bigger than i’d prefer, the grass remained in tact.
But did u leave any rubbish ðð
Only a couple of bunrt out tyres
Donna Dearest ‘local
People’ sound a bit like Royston Vasey
Regardless of any of the above , Is there really enough room for a circus on the green ?, just saying !
What a bunch of Nimby’s
Oh no whatever next
I live in Wanstead I think it’s a great Idea for the Children It is only there for a few days I don’t think it will harm the grass Is there not a lot of sport played on grass Grass does grow .I will be going with my grandchildren Sorry they don’t live in Wanstead are they Allowed ?tAlso they have been brought up to put there litter in Bins or take it home with them and they will be spending money in Our Local shops X
Even people living on the green or dracott road have not been consulted.
Calm down Wanstead residents – it’s only on the Green for 5 days. Wanstead has definitely become populated by NIMBY’s, it used to be a far nicer area with a great mix of people but now very much see’s itself as something “special”. Lets face it – your located right on top of one of London’s main feeder arteries the A12.
Circus should be banned
Why?
If circus gave animals they should be banned have you seen the way these poor animals are abused ! If no animals then fine
It’s an all human circus – no animals are involved.
Nathan Hill that’s fabulous then hope everyone enjoys the show
I can’t wait to take my kids, I’ll probably spend a bit of money in a cafe or restaurant too. Sounds like a good thing for Wanstead to me!
Exactly Alison, those against such things crow on about wanting to preserve Wanstead High Street yet when something takes place that has the potential to bring business to the area they moan about that. I really cannot see the issue with a suitably sized Big Top on the Green and it’s only on for 5 days.
It’ll be fun!
it’ll be fun for the kids. it’s a very small circus. with no animals. just for 5 days. “bringing outsider”: what exactly does it mean? some people forget that wanstead postcode is E11. located on the A12. this is east london, not mayfair.
The comments section of Wansteadium is always a joy to read, all the small mindedness and lack information about the topic at hand never bar to any opinion being posted. I do love this!
Wanstead Society fb page now saying the circus will be at another nearby location.
Are they now moving into the old Barclays Bank as well?
The guy who runs this circus has “hit back at locals” in a new article on the Guardian http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wanstead_woodford_news/14591265.Circus_owner_hits_back_at_cancellation_of_George_Green_show/
I believe City of London’s concerns were that predicted rainfall would so saturate the Green that if heavy vehicles were to traverse it, such as would accompany this circus, they would damage the land because it would be soft enough to churn up.
The guy who runs it also claimed in this “hitting back” article that locals told him they are afraid of attending events “late at night” on Wanstead Flats, thus he chose George Green. That sounds like a crock, to me. Fireworks and fairs do great business over on the flats at night. Plus, this circus wasn’t scheduled for “late at night.”
Seems like a complete home goal to me – but the UK seems good at scoring these of late.
Really, what harm would a small, all human performers, circus have done for 5 nights only? Talk about trying to keep Wanstead High Street alive yet when something, which could potentially increase foot fall for the local business, “comes to town” then the NIMBY’s are up in arms. So much condemnation from residents all based on pre-conceived prejudices with no actual grounding in facts (sounds familiar?).
Wanstead, you are an absolute parody of yourself and it’s not the first time I’ve heard the Royston Vasey reference used to describe Wanstead. Remember you’re an East London ‘Burb’ tightly sandwiched between the A12 and the Northern Circular.