Volunteers today tread in the footsteps of the unemployed workers of yesteryear on Wanstead Flats and Park

The Wren Group do some excellent work around Wanstead Park and the Flats. Over recent months, there has been bramble clearance, helping erect the skylark enclosure (with the City of London Corporation) and encouraging wild flowers around the exchange land area of the park. The group also do educational awareness raising work, especially in the summer with a weekend of activities. In some ways the practical work is building on tradition in the area. In the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth century, unemployed workers were organised to do public works. These included establishing the Jubilee, Alexandra and Angel lakes on Wanstead Flats. They also helped make the area into a recreational place, with the football pitches and other sporting facilities. The unemployed workers also put a concrete bottom in the Heronry lake in the park, as well as de-silting the Ornamental lake. Slightly further afield on Leyton Flats, they extended Hollow ponds and helped build a lido nearby. The work was overseen by local councils, with distress committees directly administering the operations - including pay. The detail of this fascinating period of local history can be found in the excellent booklet: Changing the Face of the Forest-how the unemployed transformed the Wanstead Flats area by Andrew Cole, Mark Gorman and Peter Williams (www.leytonhistorysociety.org uk). So, it can be seen the work of the Wren Group and others like the Friends of Wanstead Park and the River Roding Trust are all building on a significant tradition. The unemployed workers efforts were on a bigger scale and they were paid. The volunteers today mainly do the work out of a love and concern for nature and the local area. All contribute greatly and long may the work continue and grow. This great volunteering work must, though, not be seen as a way for local authorities and those with statutory responsibilities to evade their duties. A bit of cheap labour to save money. The relationship has to be very much one of partnership. The individuals and groups are happy to volunteer and work but also expect their voices to be heard by the likes of the City of London Corporation, Redbridge, Newham and Waltham Forest Councils, as well as Thames Water and the Environment Agency. The work of volunteers must not be seen as a substitute for properly resourcing our open spaces. At present the partnerships seem to be developing well. But it is always a fine line between co-operation and exploitation, as no doubt many of those unemployed workers, who did so much to lay the blueprint for the park and flats today, would testify. So onward with the work but always in a truly collaborative spirit of working for the common good.

West Ham gift Southampton a point, amid tactical chaos

West Ham 1-1 Southampton West Ham managed to gift a point to relegated Southampton in this scrappy encounter at the London Stadium. Seemingly coasting to a narrow victory, West Ham manager Graham Potter must have wondered about the tactical wisdom of changing half the team in the last ten minutes. The defensive mindset of the home team was typified in the last ten minutes when gaining possession, with Southampton keeper Aaron Ramsey chasing back towards his goal, rather than take the chance, Tomas Soucek headed off to the corner flag to waste some time. He was quickly dispossessed. The first half was marked only by it's pedestrian lack of inventiveness. West Ham's best chance came when Lucas Paqueta crossed in for Niclas Fullkrug to test the keeper from three yards. The impressive Kyle Water Peters, then, saw his shot go just wide of the post. Ryan Manning then strode forward, with the ball rebounding to Kamaldeen Sulemana who hit the bar when it looked easier to score. The second half was a minute old when West Ham took the lead. A flowing movement started with Mohammed Kudus passing to Fullkrug who found the advancing Jarrod Bowen, who finished in the corner. The home side were denied what looked like a good goal, when Ramsdale fumbled a James Ward Prowse corner into his own net. But the keeper was adjudged to have been impeded by Fullkrug's jump. It didn't look like Southampton's day, as first Alphonse Areola saved Jack Stevens effort from the edge of the area and then Tyler Sibling blazed over, when well placed. But two minutes into injury time Sibling set up Walker Peters whose blocked effort fell to Lesley Ugochukwu to volley home. The result was no more than the relegated team deserved. West Ham head coach Graham Potter was "very disappointed" with his team's performance. "In the first half we struggled to get any real pressure on them. "There were lots of giveaways, cheap losses of possession," said Potter, who understood why the crowd booed his team off at the end. "I understand the reaction. There is no denying we've suffered at home this season. We need to control the game with attacking football - and we are some way off that." Potter indicated that there will be some substantial changes at the end of the season (he will hope to not be one of them). "There are loan players here,there and everywhere - we need to sit down and sort that at the end of the season." Southampton interim head coach, Simon Rusk, felt a point was the least his side deserved. "We were disappointed not to go in one up at half time. We deserved more than one goal today," said Rusk.

Church needs to continue Pope Francis spirit of openness and tolerance

The sad news that Pope Francis had died came through just after the Easter celebrations were complete. The Pope had battled for many months with respiratory problems and it was hoped he had come through the worst, with his appearance on Easter Sunday but it was not to be. It was instead a final farewell. Pope Francis completed 12 years in office overseeing a transition to a more tolerant, listening church. A Church not as quick to condemn, as was often the case previously, particularly on sexual matters. The Pope has been outspoken on important issues of our time from immigration to climate change and war. One of his final acts on this earth was to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The important stand on such issues has not always been conveyed to the wider world by a salacious media, always happier to report sexual issues of whatever kind rather than calls to stop killing people in Gaza and Ukraine or destroying the planet on which we all depend for life. Pope Francis has overseen the Church looking out to the world, rather than shrinking in on itself in an insular way. The new stance has attracted interest among the young. A recent Bible Society report, the Quiet Revival, reported an increase in church attendance in the UK from 3.7 million to 5.8 million between 2018 and 2024. The numbers of 18 to 24 year olds rose from 4% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. Whilst, the Church of England saw it's share of church attendance drop from 41% to 34% over the period. The Catholic share rose from 23% to 31%. Amongst 18 to 24 year olds the Catholics took 41% compared to the Anglicans 20%. The suggestion must be that particularly amongst the younger generation people are looking for some certainty and moral leadership in an ever changing world. Pope Francis has provided much of that leadership. The hope now must be that his successor continues Pope Francis work and does not revert back to the more intolerant, inward looking model of church. A viewing of the excellent film of Robert Harris's book, Conclave, will give some insight into the process about to take place. Though, the outcome in terms of the elected Pope is likely to be somewhat different. The Church must look out to be part of the world community at all levels. It's contributions are much needed in these uncertain times. It's voice on crucial matters like migrants, peace and environmental harmony are vital, particularly as world leaders shrink into an increasingly reactionary, immoral bubble. The Church can offer a lead on generosity of spirit and openness. An institution comprising migrants across the globe, committed to peace and environmental harmony. Lets hope the new Pope continues Francis tradition to move in such a progressive direction. The world certainly needs it.

Bluebells of Wanstead Park are for everyone

The bluebells are out in Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park. What a fantastic display of colour, as Spring reaches it's climax. Over recent years increasing numbers have learnt of the bluebells, coming from far and wide to view the magnificent display. Social media has no doubt helped to spread the word. The area where the bluebells grow has been carefully looked after by the City of London Corporation. Working with local organisations like the Wren Group and Friends of Wanstead Park, they have ensured that there are clear paths through the bluebells marked with logs. There are also notice boards with information about the wood and how to behave when wandering through. The vast number of people do behave, sticking to the paths and enjoying the flowers. Some,though, don't. For them the barriers don't count, so the flowers can be trampled and crushed. These people, though, are a minority. Some argue the publicity should be restricted, the secret of the wood restored. Less people would mean less damage. This approach, though cannot be right. The bluebells and other features of the park must be shared with the wider population. One of the problems of the modern world is a disconnect with nature. People living increasingly artificial lives, separate from nature. People have become unaware of the fulfilment nature brings as well as how dependent we all are on it to survive. Humans are often cited as a problem, yet indigenous peoples across the planet have lived harmoniously with nature for centuries - they still do in many parts of the world. The damage has come over recent time due to the destructive economic models adopted by human beings. This has caused the destruction of climate and biodiversity. Human beings have moved from being in partnership with nature to seeking to dominate and destroy it. What is needed now is to get back to the partnership approach, recognising that human beings are but part of the mosaic of life. There needs to be respect for all elements of nature, not simply a push to exploit and dominate. In order to reach such a point, there needs to be a mass reconnection. Part of this will involve people getting out in the likes of Chalet Wood to experience and enjoy the pleasure of the bluebells. Yes, some need to show more respect but that will come with time. Seeking to lock away the wonders of nature is no answer and will only perpetuate the non-thinking destructive path the world has been taking for so long. So come and enjoy the bluebells but watch where you tread and take your rubbish home.

Breweries & pubs under pressure as Wanstead Beer Festival returns for a third year

It is a tough time for the pub trade. An estimated 400 plus pubs went out of business in England and Wales last year, with more predicted to go over the next few years. Breweries are also under pressure. Local, Walthamstow based, brewers, Beerblefish recently shut down their operation, including the tap room. They had an excellent range of beers, which we featured at the Wanstead Beer Festival (WBF). Indeed, Beerblefish were an early supporter of the beer festival, being one of the brewers, who sponsored the glass in the first two years. Another Walthamstow based brewer, Wildcard, also went out of business, recently. On the pub front, the George in Wanstead, under Wetherspoons, shut down last October. Fortunately, Urban, Pubs & Bars picked up the baton, renaming and reopening the pub as the George & Dragon in January. So, a pub remains on the site, with more jobs brought to the area as well. The hospitality trade generally, though, has been hit hard over recent years, with first, COVID, then, the cost of living crisis. Now, there is the increase in employers national insurance payments and rising business rates. A pint of beer is predicted to rise well over £5. It is already at that price or more at most pubs in this area. The concern is that the pubs and breweries, who were already struggling, could just be pushed over the edge with these latest costs. On a more optimistic note, there is the upcoming third Wanstead Beer Festival (WBF) This year, the WBF will take place in Christchurch halls, on Saturday 4 October. Again, the organisers will be seeking to bring a wide variety of beers, both local and from further afield. There will be the lagers, blondes and golden ales as well as the heavier porters and stouts. Not forgetting the ever popular ciders. It is also intended to keep the prices at the same levels as in previous years, so under £5. There will also be gins, wine, prosecco and soft drinks for those not into beer. The first two beer festivals have been great successes, well attended and raising over £7,000 for charity, so far. So don't miss out, tickets will be on sale soon (www.wansteadbeerfestival.co.uk). Remember, it is important to support the hospitality industry in our local area at these difficult times. It is a real case of use them or lose them.

Lessons of Covid - five years on

The fifth anniversary of the start of the COVID pandemic has brought back, many, often painful, memories. Loved ones lost, long COVID sufferers, mental health issues. The country has still not fully recovered from the pandemic. I was in Rye, as the country moved towards the first lockdown in March 2020. My brother and I sat in an empty pub, as the hatches were being batoned down. Strange, to again be in Rye in the same week five years later. No one knew back then what was to come. At first, people were put under virtual house arrest. People obeyed the rules in the main, with government and media, making great play of the few who didn't. Fear was openly used to control the population. Did any other country obsess quite as much as this one about the death figures? These together with infection rates were a daily feature of news bulletins. Health workers were heroic, putting their own lives on the line to save others. Indeed, those ordinary working people across the key services all did exemplary work, making huge sacrifices. Pity, that the shameful government, whose ministers clapped those staff, later refused the pay rises they deserved, once the pandemic was over. They had ofcourse also failed to protect them. This was the same government that took the opportunity to reward it's mates with lucrative contracts for vital services during the pandemic. It can never be said the Boris Johnson's government wasted the opportunities created by the crisis. Then, ofcourse, as ordinary people were punished for the slightest infringement of "the rules", Downing Street partied on with a classic do as I say, not as I do attitude. This really was not governments finest hour. Though, there should be credit given for the rapid role out of the vaccines. The whole pandemic was a strange period, turning everything upside down, normal life suspended for the best part of two years. One of the amazing things was how something that had dominated everybody's life, suddenly disappeared from the headlines- almost as if it never happened. The pandemic though did huge damage. More than 200,000 people dead, two million today with long COVID and millions suffering with mental health issues. A generation of children scarred. We are still picking up the pieces from COVID. Lessons need to be learned, such as never again to run down the health and care sectors, so that the country struggles to cope when crisis hits. Nor, is it right to now be turning on many of those who still suffer with the legacy of COVID by cutting their welfare support. Perhaps, most importantly the country needs to be ready for the next pandemic. Sadly, some of the things going on at international level now make another pandemic ever more likely. The big positive to come from the COVID period was how most people stepped up and came together to help their fellow human beings. It was the best of humanity and shows that there is always hope, even in what seem the darkest of times.