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Temporary fencing has been assembled around play areas in Wanstead and South Woodford’s parks.

“This measure has been taken to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, as it survives on plastic for 36 hours and on metal for 12 hours. This means children can contract COVID-19 by touching infected play equipment,” explained a Redbridge Council spokesperson.

“If our parks are not used responsibly, the government may be forced to close them. Help us to keep our parks open by adhering to the guidelines.”

Christine Clark will be talking about her experiences of volunteering at Redbridge Foodbank at an East London Soroptimists event this month

I volunteer at Redbridge Foodbank, one of the 1,200 Trussell Trust foodbanks in UK. We provide a food and hygiene parcel for clients, designed to last around three days. The intention is to tide them over until their situation has improved. Most of the people who come to the foodbank are in financial difficulties due to low income or benefit changes or delays. However, we also have people who are sleeping rough on the streets, or who are having difficulties due to bereavement, health issues, redundancy, or who are asylum seekers. 

Last year Redbridge Foodbank gave out over 6,000 food and hygiene parcels, an increase of almost 2000 on the previous year.

The role I play at the foodbank is to meet and greet the clients, welcoming them in a warm and friendly manner. They arrive with a referral voucher and I go through our “shopping list” with them while they tell me what things they needs. They are then able to have a hot drink and biscuits while their parcel is prepared. While they wait, I also chat with them and find out if there is any other help they need. I can then signpost them to the relevant organisations to support them. I also offer a friendly ear for a chat. Many of them are lonely and are glad of someone to talk to. The parcels given out contain, not only food supplies but also household essentials, such as washing powder and washing up liquid, and personal hygiene items such as shampoo, shower gel, tooth brushes and paste, sanitary protection, as well as nappies and baby food. The foodbank cannot, however, give out baby milk due to a United Nations ruling. We do not forget pets, as we also have dog and cat food available if required.

I am a member of East London Soroptimists and in my capacity as a foodbank volunteer I am giving a talk on the work of the foodbank on Tuesday 19 November. The talk will be taking place a Woodford Memorial Hall at 7:30pm.  When I volunteer I do so as an independent person, not in my capacity as a Soroptimist.

Local historian Lynn Haseldine Jones will lead a walk around Snaresbrook this month looking at the evidence for commuters.

“We begin at Snaresbrook Station, where the railway first came in 1856, changing the nature of the village from a predominantly Georgian settlement to a bustling Victorian suburb. There is still evidence of the Great Eastern Railway, hardly noticed by passengers on the busy Central Line,” said Lynn.

The free 90-minute walk departs at 2pm on 9 October (booking required).

Visit wnstd.com/snaresw

Redbridge Council will be giving away spring-flowering bulbs to the community this month, encouraging everyone to plant them as part of the Big Bulb Planting Weekend (18 to 20 October).

This is part of a borough-wide movement to bring everybody together to beautify our streets… Bulbs can be planted in spaces that benefit the community,” said a spokesperson.

The bulbs – which include daffodils, tulips and crocuses – must be requested by 10 October and can be collected from Wanstead Library.

Visit wnstd.com/blbs

Local families are invited to explore Wanstead Park next month by taking part in an orienteering event.

“Using a map, go exploring and try to navigate your way around all the markers. The whole family can get involved and get active in this fun activity that exercises mind and body,” said a spokesperson for the Field Studies Council.

The two-hour activity – which is suitable for children aged seven and over – will take place on 5 October from 10am and 1pm (children: £5; adults: free; booking required).

Visit wnstd.com/fsc

Redbridge Council has doubled the amount of time drivers can park for free on the borough’s high streets from 30 minutes to one hour.

“This will be a real boost for our high streets and help revitalise the local economy whilst making sure there is still a good level of turnover in parking bays – giving as many people as possible the opportunity to use parking spaces to pop to the shops,” said Councillor Jas Athwal.

Motorists can activate the free on-street parking via the Ringo app or at an upgraded pay and display machine.

Redbridge Council has installed a hi-tech Bigbelly bin on Snaresbrook Road as part of work undertaken with residents and the City of London to clear up Eagle Pond.

“It’s a smart bin that can accommodate more rubbish, lets the council know when it’s full, requires emptying less often and reduces the risk of litter blowing out and into the pond,” said Councillor Jo Blackman.

Big Belly bins hold roughly eight times more rubbish than a regular bin and compact waste automatically throughout the day.

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands – which has been campaigning for the regeneration of ‘east London’s hidden gem’ for the past decade – is seeking to recruit new members to support their work.

“Our committee needs new blood. If you value the park and would like to contribute, why not come along to one of our meetings to get some idea of what might be involved? The editor of our popular members’ newsletter has stepped down so we are looking for a someone to take over this role… Someone with experience of website management would also be welcome,” said a spokesperson.

The group – which normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm at Wanstead Golf Club – is involved in shaping the long-term plans for the park’s regeneration. Email info@wansteadpark.org.uk

The magic of panto and storytelling will come to local libraries this autumn with a series of performances by drag queen Mama G.

“Created by popular panto dame Robert Pearce, Mama G tells stories about being who you are and loving who you want, to children and their families, and anyone who’ll listen! She has spread her message all over the UK at libraries, theatres, museums and festivals, as well as making appearances in America and Canada,” said a spokesperson for Petite Pantos.

The ‘storytime with a difference’ will take place in Wanstead (2 October, 2pm), Woodford Green (4 October, 10.30am) and South Woodford (8 October, 2.30pm) as part of Redbridge’s annual Fabula Festival, which celebrates the arts and libraries and their power to transform lives. Suitable for children aged three and over, all shows are free to attend.

“These performances will feature published works and new writing that will make you laugh, think and love.”

Click here for more information.

The Woodford and District branch of the National Trust (NT) has made a number of donations to NT properties following the death of former member Gwen Clarke, who bequeathed £107,000 to the group.

The beneficiaries include Rainham Hall in Havering (£15,000), Scotney Castle in Kent (£11,000) and Peckover House in Cambridgeshire (£10,000). “Gwen worked at Whipps Cross Hospital and the London Hospital for many years as a secretary. She moved to Wanstead in 1994 and then into Harts House Care Home in Woodford… We are so grateful she gave us the chance of helping so many properties with her kindness,” said Clive Boon.

The centre’s new programme of talks begins on 11 September, 2.30pm at All Saints’ Church hall with a presentation on Waddesdon Manor (visitors: £3).

Call 07774 164 407

The Friends of Wanstead Parklands has commissioned Dr Hannah Armstrong – an expert in 18th-century architecture and landscape design – to write the first-ever large-scale history of Wanstead House.

“In existence for just 100 years, Wanstead House was regarded as one of the most magnificent palaces in Europe and the estate originally stretched nearly as far as Woodford. Tragically, in June 1822, every item within the house was sold at auction, prior to the house being demolished,” said a group spokesperson.

Due for publication in 2022 to mark the 200th anniversary of the ‘grand sale’, the book will tell the story of the house, its grounds and its larger-than-life owners, complemented by over 70 illustrations, some of which will be published for the first time.

A community health day will be held at the South Woodford Health Centre (114 High Road) on 24 October from 1pm to 4.30pm, bringing together representatives from a range of service providers, who will conduct demonstrations and offer advice on staying healthy.

“We emphasise the importance of looking after your health by participating in yoga, tai chi and similar activities… by interacting with health and care providers the need to see a GP or visit hospital may be reduced,” said organiser Chandra Patel, chair of the Patient Participation Group at Elmhurst Practice. The annual event has been running since 2016.

“Last year, Age UK took part, providing valuable information for mature people. The Deputy Mayor of Redbridge and John Cryer MP were also present.”

Email chandra18@gmail.com