While pubs close around the UK, in Wanstead, the George has been saved

The George & Dragon pub, formerly the George, will be opening in January. The £1.5 million refurbishment of the pub by new owners Urban Pubs & Bars (UPB) will bring a new experience for the people of Wanstead. The saving of the pub is something to be celebrated. Pubs are going down across the country, with the cost of living crisis accelerating this process. It is rare to save or open a new one. The continuation of the George legacy, which goes back to the 18th century, is very welcome. The campaign to save the George played no small part in this achievement. It showed how much local people care for this iconic pub. A petition signed by 3,589 people, showed the appetite for a place where people can eat and drink together but is also a community space. In a world where people seem to be becoming increasing disconnected and isolated, this important function of pubs and other hospitality premises should not be under estimated. The appetite for good, reasonably priced beer was again emphasised in October with the great turn out for the Wanstead Beer Festival. Attended by more than 700 people, the festival was almost drunk dry but not quite. Next year the organisers intend to try to go one better, another step towards making Wanstead a beer capital. So now, we wait for the George & Dragon to open. UPB have been impressed with the local support that was shown for the old pub. It shows people really value and care for the place. UPB have been keen to engage, meeting recently with Leyton & Wanstead MP Calvin Bailey and myself to explain their plans. It all looks exciting with the new owners keen to become an active part of the Wanstead community. They have a particular commitment to sourcing locally, which fits well with the bigger vision for sustainable living. It is great that many of the staff from the George are being kept on, others have been redeployed by previous owners Wetherspoons. UPB expect to take on more staff, as their plans progress The new owners won't be providing the cheap prices of Wetherspoons but they do recognise the need for variety and that not everyone can afford £6 plus pints. But for now it is a case of wait and see. The future looks bright. What shouldn't be forgotten is the effort of so many to save the pub. Whilst Wetherspoons refused to listen, the new owners have. The Wanstead community has once again come together and been heard. Now, just looking forward to that first pint in the George & Dragon.

Otters, kingfishers & pollution - the story of the River Roding

The River Roding really is one of the hidden jewels in the biodiversity crown around these parts. The river begins out in the wilds of Essex, meandering it's way through Redbridge to reach Barking and eventually the Thames. The parts I enjoy regularly walking are between Charlie Browns roundabout and Ilford Hill. Most of the route is either the Roding Valley Park (owned by Redbridge) or Wanstead Park (owned by the City of London Corporation). The river is always changing. Kingfishers often fly down river, that flash of bright emerald blue. Or if your lucky a stationery bird perched on a branch, a fish in its beak. The imperious herons are also a regular sight, waiting motionless to strike, skewering a fish or vole. The elusive water rail also tracks the banks. Above, the adjacent Ilford Golf course, buzzards can be seen drifting on the thermals, looking for prey below. Along the Roding Valley stretch is a community orchard on the Redbridge Lane East side. All sorts of varieties of apples and pears in the summer. The blackberries also abound along the banks at this time. Later, in the autumn, hops can be seen growing on the rivers edge. A recent exciting addition on the Roding has been otters. There have been some spotted along the Wanstead Park stretch of the river. A fortunate few, mainly birders, have been lucky enough to see an otter. These elusive creatures have also been picked up by police helicopters, as they swim downstream. They may have been attracted by an increase in fish life in the river - due partly to the work of Thames 21, which has put obstacles in the river, so encouraging the water to meander more slowly creating pools, where fish dwell. The River Roding,though, does suffer from pollution, often from private landowners, adjacent to the waterway. The River Roding Trust has done much to highlight the pollution. It has also done great clear up work, with voluntary groups conducting litter picks along the banks.. The river is another area that acts as a receptacle for human detritus. Then there is the pollution in the water.Environmental activist and lawyer, Paul Powesland has highlighted the pollution in the river and those responsible. In 2021, he revealed heavy pollution at the Aldersbrook tributary, which flows into the river. This came from a sewage spill from a pipe owned by Thames Water. The Environment Agency has yet to press charges. The Roding is a precious haven for nature and humanity. A tranquil place to walk and watch wildlife.But it is also a river under threat from a variety of polluting sources. More people need to take an interest and become custodians of the river. The River Roding Trust (riverrodingtrust.org.uk) is a good place to start, if you want to help protect and save this precious waterway.