Wanstead news roundup, 30.9.13; Snaresbrook Primary centre stage

*The campaign against the “academisation” of Snaresbrook Primary School – which has so far united parents and Redbridge councillors – has collected more than 400 signatures, and has also hit the Guardian. It reported on the issue here. The school had been placed in special measures after Ofsted criticised “weak” teaching and “inadequate” leadership. The Department for Education is proposing making it into an academy, but parents say its problems have been addressed with the appointment of Carel Buxton as head.

*The start of a campaign to raise enough money to buy the Evergreen Field – launched by the Wanstead Society – has been rebuffed by the spokesman for the owner of the field, who said: “My client will not sell said land and they are wasting their time even considering buying the land.”

* More than 3,000 people attended the Wanstead Festival, Redbridge Council has revealed.

*The winner of a cloud-pruned tree from the Pocket of Green display at Snarebrook tearoom Time for Tea, which was part of the Wanstead Fringe, was Patricia  Pieroni,from Upminster. The display is being extended until 19 October.
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