Skylarks need protection

The skylarks of Wanstead Flats have been an important part of the biodiversity of the area for many years. If you are taking an Easter walk across Wanstead Flats you may be lucky enough to hear and see one. That mesmeric song, as they ascend helicopter like into the air. Wanstead Flats has been an important site for the little bird for many years. However, together with many of our other native birds, the skylarks numbers have been dwindling. Some remain but they need help and protection, if numbers are to be restored. It was this challenge that led a few years ago to a small part of the Flats being cordoned off for the nesting season (between March and August). The temporary fence around a few acres adjacent to the Centre Road car park helped skylark numbers recover. It has been a slow process but progress has been made. This year, however, some human beings have decided that despite the huge space available, they want to walk through this specific area. It is not clear why, whether they are anti-skylark or anti-nature generally. Or maybe anti-people? They have repeatedly cut and vandalised the fence put up by the City of London Corporation (COLC) to protect the skylarks. It is all very frustrating but also difficult to fathom. There has never been a problem before. There are notices explaining what is going on. The local Wren Group are regularly in the area, explaining why the fences are up for this limited period. But it seems this year, some just don't want to co-operate. The Flats and Wanstead Park form a large part of the biodiversity mosaic of the area. We are lucky to have so many migrant birds coming through Wanstead. The rewilding efforts, the fantastic cows in the park - all is to be applauded. Local people love the area but we are the custodians for the future. It will be a sad legacy for future generations, if we destroy the habitat and presence of skylarks and other wildlife. There is already the scourge of rubbish dropped and dumped everywhere. It is only due to the heroic efforts of volunteers and the COLC that this is kept under control. If recent years have taught anything then it must be that no one is an island. All are dependent on each other and need to co-operate to survive. To a large extent, this is what happens but some, for whatever reason, seem determined to destroy things. The destruction will in the end take us all under, so let's come together to look after our precious Flats and Park, ensuring it lives on into the future.

Assisted dying debate

The debate over assisted dying has once again been hitting the headlines recently. Always, a difficult subject to discuss, it often splits opinion. A survey conducted by Dignity in Dying found 75% of the public in favour of assisted dying. The present situation, where assisted dying is against the law in the UK has caused much distress. Some, suffering, who can afford it, have been forced to go to Dignitas in Switzerland to die. Even then those accompanying can face legal consequences when they return home. This situation has led to the call for a similar service to be available at home. Why, those in favour ask, should people suffering terminal diseases not be allowed to decide when they want to die? Why should they be made to unnecessarily suffer? Good points. But on the other side, there are those who warn of a slippery slope to euthanasia, just getting rid of people deemed to not be of any use to society anymore or the old and vulnerable, unable to defend their basic right to life. The euthanasia point is particularly concerning, given the seeming ever lower value put on human life. Quotes from political leaders about letting the bodies pile high, during the recent COVID pandemic, betray an underlying tendency towards euthanasia. Older people being somehow seen as more expendable. Then, there is the role of the medical profession, who argue they are there to save, not take, life. The pressure that can be put on people by relatives and friends, consciously or unconsciously, is another worry. The debate needs to be had but it is a very difficult one to resolve. Some sort of restricted form of assisted dying with lots of checks in place maybe the way forward. But once on the statute book, these things can be relaxed and broadened over time. The major concern is over sanctity of life. No one should be made to go through unnecessary suffering and should be able to choose how they want to die. But nor should people deemed by others to lack value to society be simply disposed of. It is a very complex question, which it must be hoped is fully debated by Parliament before any binding decisions are made.

Wanstead High School memories

The 100th anniversary of Wanstead High School in 2024 is a momentous event. The school became Wanstead High when it turned comprehensive in the early 1970s. Previously, a grammar, the school was known as Wanstead County High School. Something some ex- pupils from that era like to emphasis. I went to Wanstead High from Aldersbrook Primary in the September of 1973. At the time the school was still split over two sites Wanstead and Aldersbrook - the school having been created, bringing together Wanstead County High School and Aldersbrook Secondary Modern. The first year, we were at Wanstead, second Aldersbrook and in the third term the whole school came together on the one site at Redbridge Lane West. A whole new building had been created, including sports hall, science labs, library, music area, theatre and humanities area. The school offered a great chance, especially for those who wanted to work and take the opportunities offered. The head was Donald Mackay, who had a rather austere persona. I tended to bracket him with Mr Mackay, the prison governor character (played by the actor Fulton Mackay) in the Ronnie Barker comedy Porridge. Mackay was ably supported by deputies Michael Jones and Nick Wheeler-Robinson. The team had a real commitment to the ideal of comprehensive education, giving everyone a chance, regardless of background. The austere image, though, did come crashing down, early on, when a relationship between Mackay and a former sixth former was revealed. The national media were out around the gates of the school. We pupils were told not to speak to them. Mackay left the school. He remained together with the former sixth former for some years thereafter. After an interim period when Jones was in charge, Phyllis Taylor took over as head, She remained head for the rest of my time at the school. The school had a number of characters over the years among staff and pupils. Sports and geography teacher Brian Arkle was a favourite - firm but fair. Brian loved a good cross country around Wanstead Park. He sadly died a couple of years ago, after retiring having spent his whole career at the school. He was a deputy for a number of years. Head of English, Bernard "Bugsy" Doyle was someone many ex-pupils will remember. A small, at times rather angry, aggressive man. Unsurprisingly, the Bugsy nickname came from his resemblance to a rabbit. Whilst English could be testing with Doyle, he knew his stuff and there were never any disciplinary issues in his classes. History teacher and cricketer, Paul Smethurst, was another from the era. A thorough teacher, who was another Wanstead lifer. He was at the school when Churchill visited in the early 1960s. The last big celebration at the school was for the 75th anniversary in 1999. It was fascinating to go back for the day, meeting staff and pupils - seeing how things had worked out. One conversation I remember in the main building that day was with Daniel Levy - now chairman of Tottenham Hotspur. Daniel was in my year, a member of House 4. His rise to fame and fortune came after he left Wanstead High. At the 75th, he was relaxed and chatting about the old days. He had yet to take over at Spurs at that point. Another, who rose to fame and fortune from my time at the school was Nick Berry. Nick was a couple of years younger than the rest of us but came to play football on the top field during the lunch times. Nick ofcourse went on to find fame as an actor in EastEnders (Wicksy), Heartbeat and Harbour Lights. He packed up acting a while ago but still lives in Essex. There are many more characters and tales to tell about times at Wanstead High. It was a great place to be educated, with good committed teachers and pupils who mostly wanted to learn. I still meet up for drinks with friends from those school years. There are also a number of groups, whereby people re-connect and share old memories. The present custodians appear to be carrying on the school traditions. Long may it last - looking forward to the 100th anniversary celebrations.

Review of Nye

Olivier Theatre, NT Michael Sheen stars in this timely account of Aneurin Bevin's transformative life, culminating in the creation of the NHS. The narrative is centred on looking back from Nye's deathbed, fittingly set in an NHS hospital ward. In fact the hospital aroma permeates throughout, when it is even a nurse serving the drinks in the House of Commons when Nye first meets Jenny Lee. The play, by Tim Price, looks back at the different experiences that formed Nye Bevan, from his time in the pits and local council to the House of Commons and ultimately battling the doctors over NHS contracts. There are great performances throughout, none more so than Sheen, who brings forth the vulnerabilities of the man, as well as his explosive energy and passion - all done whilst wearing pyjamas. The character of Winston Churchill looms large (literally), played by Tony Jayawardena. So, there is the joust during the war, with Nye a constant and almost solitary critic of Churchill's performance. There are illuminating lines,such as when he accuses Churchill of helping create the conditions that brought the rise of fascism.The paralleling of Churchill and Hitler is a refreshingly original slant. Also, Churchill's virulent opposition to the creation of the NHS as a socialist construct. A criticism is that there could be a little too much Churchill? Sharon Small is excellent as the sparky Jenny Lee, looking back with best friend Archie Lush (Roger Evans), on the years with Nye. Supporting his career, whilst always somewhat in the shadow. In some ways, it was only after Nye's death in 1960, that Lee came more into her own, as Minister for Arts under Harold Wilson, helping create the Open University. The diminutive Attlee is well portrayed (Stephanie Jacob), shrewd and at times seemingly attached to his desk. The dialogue is superb throughout, with Attlee rationalising how he can have Bevan, Ernest Bevin and Herbert Morrison in the same Cabinet (note to Kier Starmer). The right /left struggle is typified in a battle between Morrison and Bevan over the Act creating the NHS - Morrison opposed and representing "the Labour Party." There is also plenty of humour, a memorable quip when Nye admits he'll have to break the doctor's union to secure the NHS. Questioned by Morrison, he says it'll be fine, they're middle class. Nye is a memorable and timely production brought together by director Rufus Norris. There is a growing momentum throughout the play, possibly a little slow in the first half. But it explodes in the second, culminating in the creation of the NHS. At this point there were a few tears in eyes. The production shows what an impact one socialist can have in shaping genuine change. Whilst celebrating a truly remarkable life, the play also offers a challenge to the politicians of today, as to how they will take forward the great legacy of the NHS. So many who have attempted to stand on the shoulders of Nye Bevan have come tumbling down. *Nye, a co-production between the National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre, runs at the Olivier theatre till 11 May (www.nationaltheatre.org.uk). *There will be a live performance broadcast worldwide on 23 April marking 100th National Theatre Live title (www.nye.ntlive.com) *Nye transfers to Wales Millennium Centre from 18 May to 1 June 2024 (www.wmc.org.uk)

Just for one day - Live Aid to foodbanks

The Old Vic production of Just for One Day focuses on the Live Aid concert of 13 July 1985. It was a momentous occasion, as leading musicians from across the world came together to put on a momentous show. The aim to raise money to alleviate famine in Ethiopia. David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Queen were among those who performed. The hits ring out in this great celebration. The story is also of how Boomtown Rats lead singer, Bob Geldof, moved heaven and earth, with the help of a few others, to make it happen. A shout out here for Wanstead resident, Jackie Clune, who plays a central role, as narrator, Suzanne, in the production. Just for One Day brought back memories of the 1980s, raising money to try to alleviate poverty around the world. People coming together to get change. Yet, these actions by thousands of young people were rather against the political narrative of the time. It was the decade of Margaret Thatcher, the mantra of greed is good and there is no such thing as society. The response of the Thatcher government to crises like the famine in Ethiopia was grudging to put it mildly. The musical covers how Thatcher was literally dragged along with the popular clamour to act. Never slow to see a good PR opportunity, she clambered aboard. The Thatcher government though was always happier selling weapons around the world than promoting peace - a tradition that her successors in government today have continued. The Live Aid/Band Aid extravaganzas bred a whole plethora of charitable enterprise headed by celebs looking for good PR - from Comic and Sport Relief to Children in Need. All do great work but all are about charity. They are not about changing the unjust structures that create the crises in the first place. At best, they are a plaster on the wound (a band aid), at worst an excuse to not really act. The charity versus justice question was illustrated to me a few years ago, when campaigning for refugees locally. A church congregation reacted with great generosity to a call for clothing, foodstuffs etc to support refugees. There was, though, decidedly less interest in examining why the refugees had fled their own countries seeking sanctuary elsewhere. Today, things seem to have come full circle since 1985. The country is richer now than then, yet foodbanks proliferate. Feeding the world has taken on a whole wider meaning. Tory politicians praise the institution of food banks rather than hang their heads in shame that they have become necessary here. Charity will always be needed but charity must never obfuscate the need to attain justice. Only then can the real obstacle to a more equal, just world be attained. Just for One Day is on until 30 March

Saving Aldersbrook Medical Centre

The role of the GP has changed dramatically over the years, not always for the better. I remember when growing up we had an excellent GP, Dr Sheila Griffith's. She ran a practice together with her husband, Ronald, based in East Ham. Dr Sheila was almost a member of the family, always there to help. In those days, I'm sure there was none of the anodyne services on offer these days when booking an appointment. Ring at 8am, no matter how ill you are, to have any chance of a same-day appointment. There is almost an expectation that your illness should be timetabled - scheduled for a convenient slot. A lot of the personal touch from GPs in days gone by has been lost. That said, we are very lucky in Wanstead with the GP surgeries, most of which offer an excellent service. One practice that seems to be very popular is the Aldersbrook Medical Centre. Previously, there had been complaints about the service on offer to the 4,000 residents of the Aldersbrook Estate. That was until the Hackney-based Richmond Road Partnership arrived and took over five years ago. It has really gone the extra mile. The satisfaction level has seen the practice take on another 1,700 patients. The Richmond Road Partnership expected to roll its contract on for another five years. But in the usual let's try to get a quart out of a pint pot approach, NHS managers want the same service to be provided for up to 10% less. The Richmond Road Partnership is already stretched, so cannot provide the same service for less. This bureaucratic bean counting that assumes that public services can always be done for less is nonsensical. The services may be cut but that usually impacts staff, cutting numbers or terms and conditions. In the end, if you continue down this crazy cuts route, the service simply cannot be provided. We are seeing the results of this madness in local government across the land. The people of Aldersbrook though are not to be trifled with. A campaign has begun to keep the Richmond Road Practice managing Aldersbrook Medical Centre. A well-attended meeting was held last week, where members of the Aldersbrook Medical Centre Patient Participation Group and doctors from the practice spoke. The petition (https://openletter.earth/aldersbrook-medical-centre-funding-cuts-e5bc13a1) calling for the same service to remain has already gathered hundreds of signatures. Let's hope the managers are listening to the people. They have an excellent GP practice, so why not allow it to continue? Listen to the doctors and patients, not the faceless bean counting bureaucrats.