The Friends of Wanstead Parklands

Park News

A very picky lot…

Our April litter pick of Wanstead Park, held on Easter Sunday, was the busiest yet, writes Gill James. “The Park was sunny and busy today, and we had over 40 people turn up to pick litter, with quite a few children. One older child was doing his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Over 40 bags were collected including a duvet, a tent and a set of gentlemen’s pyjamas. All were rewarded with a mini Easter egg and our excellent (eggsellent?) spring/summer newsletter.

We sold a few books and had lots of chat about cycling in the Park.”

See you by the Temple on Sunday May 2 for our next litter picking event!

Darling, we’re going to be famous!

On Monday April 12, a “high-end glossy fashion magazine” (we’re sworn to secrecy…) will be using the Temple and its surroundings for a fashion shoot, from 8am to 6pm. There will be a small crew involved – and, presumably, some fabulous models – so the building won’t be available for other uses. But look out for it as a back drop in a prominent publication later this year…

Newsletter archive

As the Spring/Summer 2021 edition of the Friends of Wanstead Parklands newsletter hit inboxes last week – members can email wansteadpark.org.uk@gmail.com if they didn’t receive the link – which means the previous Winter 2020 edition is now available in our online archive. Click here to download.

Pay to park

Car park charges have come into effect around Wanstead Flats. From April 1, the car parks at Centre Road, Jubilee Pond and Alexandra Lake, will cost £1.50 up to one hour; £2.50 up to two hours; £4 between two and four hours; and £6 for a maximum stay of six hours.

The City of London Corporation, which manages Epping Forest, including Wanstead Park and Flats, hopes to offset the “significant” cost of maintaining Epping Forest car parks to better spend its resources “protecting the Forest and improving the visitor experience”.

For more information, go here

Everybody’s talking about…

Don’t miss a couple of very lively threads on the Friends of Wanstead Parklands’ Facebook page, about:

A recent school trip into Chalet Wood, which may or may not have damaged some of the bluebells. Warning: it gets quite heated… Click here

The “over-use” of direction signs around Chalet Wood this year. Click here

A very warm welcome

The Friends are a group of people who love Wanstead Park.

Once the site of one of England’s grandest houses, the Park still retains a 17th Century lake cascade unique to London.

It’s historical significance is complemented by its natural beauty, and provides a magical environment for the local community.

Now a Charity, our Mission is to raise public awareness of the history and ecology of Wanstead Park, fund improvements, and campaign for its preservation and enhancement.

We aim to represent the users of the Park, and are supported by an enthusiastic Membership and active Social Media following.

Please join us and help to ensure the Park remains the East London gem it is.

John Sharpe

Chair of Friends of Wanstead Parklands