More than one Wanstead resident will have pondered whether there is the chance of a quick buck by renting out their home during the Olympics. I must confess I have myself. But take a look at this listing, as spotted by reader Wansteadium Janah, who says “Have you seen this?? £60,000 a week! In Aldersbrook!” You might note, on your way to the floor as you pass out, that the house has 16 bedrooms and maid service. But still.

I’m happy to be able to clear up a quandary for fellow reader Catherine, though, who was mystified by a story in the Wanstead Guardian a couple of weeks ago. “The 19 January edition features a front page article about renting homes during the Olympics. It mentions that a home in Thyme Avenue is asking for £10,000 a week. Having lived in Wanstead all my life I was surprised to have never heard of the road. I went to Google Maps and was surprised to The Avenue named as Thyme Avenue. I don’t think the road has undergone a name change but how could Google and The Guardian get it all Pete Tong?”

Well I can clear up one thing. There is not, nor ever has been, a road called Thyme Avenue there. I checked with Redbridge Council who very helpfully confirmed that “The Avenue in Wanstead has always been known as The Avenue ever since its creation circa 1897″. I can’t clear up how Google invented a name – and even less how our own local paper would fall for it. The council has contacted Google to have the mistake corrected.

Friends, I live to serve.

Wansteadium’s property blogger George C Parker writes:

Design-conscious Redbridge residents will be delighted to hear that there is a newly-published Householders Planning Guide available at www.redbridge.gov.uk. The document is is intended to uphold aesthetic integrity in future residential developments. On the subject of aesthetics, I understand that there’s a new establishment in Wanstead which says it provides aesthetics, by which it means Botox. Not quite my, or Mrs P’s thing – we’re more interested in the details of best practice for extensions, conversions, dormers, solar panels and the like, so this new guide is more up our street. The publication does make me wonder where the aesthetic integrity of Redbridge’s various municipal works has been hidden in the past 20 years – concreted under some cheap-looking paving slabs would be my guess on past form. Perhaps we may see some coherent strategy in the future – if Walthamstow Village can be beautiful, so – surely? – can Wanstead.

Beauty
The design guide would have nothing but praise for this Overton Drive property (a four bedroom semi for £750k), with beautiful views of the Basin lake, once the approach to Wanstead House. It’s a nine iron to the golf course, the rooms are tall, light and airy – a beautiful family home.

Olympics
Thanks to all those who left comments on my 2011 crop of articles. While Olympic lets and prices in general tended to pique your attention, this remains a property blog concerned with all aspects of life and living in Wanstead. To those who read, but didn’t comment – come now, these things are surely best out in the open. Share.

My 12-point plan
Finally, About this time of year, there are those who are starting to lose grip of their dearly-held resolutions for the new year. To these people I offer one comforting thought: if the resolution was worth making last year, it’s probably good enough for next time around too.

And remember – a potential resolution is still a resolution – you’ve just deferred breaking it for a little while. Let me give you an example or twelve. On 1 January 2011 I awoke to a proud and brave new world in which I would deliver the following Wanstead-enhancing projects and enterprises:

January: Create a family-friendly (especially mum-friendly) gym in Aldersbrook
February: Thoroughly remodel the gardens at Parker Towers, arboriculture included
March: Buy out a local bakery chain, updating the shops and repertoire, bringing wonderful and diverse breads from post 1952 to the High Street
April: Reintroduce boating to Wanstead Park
May: Rebuild the chocolate shop
June: Found a cinema/music festival on George Green (yes I know the 406 might be quite noisy)
July: Co-ordinate the inaugural Wanstead Beach festival (slightly ripped off from Paris Plage) to mark the Olympics
August: Return from Caribbean exile during said Olympics
September: Open sophisticated wine bar on High Sreet and behave in an unsophisticated way therein
October: Set up Wanstead’s first spa hotel in the former church site on Cambridge Park
November: Build new member’s cinema at the “kinema” site
December: Unveil a wonderful toy and book shop to magically complete Christmas for Wansteadians old and new.

Ok so 1 January 2012 I awoke to the same list – but remember, none of these resolutions has been broken – yet…

How realistic an idea is it to rent out your Wanstead home for the duration of the Olympics? Letting agent Mike Molloy of Martin&Co on Wanstead High Street answered some of our hypothetical questions.

Wansteadium: Will Wanstead be attractive to potential renters?
Mike Molloy: Hopefully. The hard bit for us is educating people about Wanstead. Even in typical rentals those that find out about Wanstead often are recommended from a friend or work colleague. Wanstead is somewhat of a hidden gem, as highlighted in the double page Metro newspaper spread a couple of months ago. Wanstead is perfect for many people as it is three stops from Stratford yet offers a nicer living environment. Alternatively it’s only six stops from Liverpool Street and 11 stops from Tottenham Court Rd so offers the best of both for tourists.

W: What sorts of properties will be most in demand? And roughly what sorts of weekly rents do you anticipate might be achieved?
M: A lot of the committees and companies we’ve spoken with like the idea of a larger property in order to have multiple staff members in and make things more cost effective. Our head office have suggested we work at 4 x the current rental values. We have tried to base this on real life realistic rents achieved regularly at annual events such as golf opens, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Wimbledon, etc.. I have heard figures far in excess of this and have spoken to people who have been quoted £200-£300 per night for a double room. There is little chance for comparison still as many hotels and guest houses are holding out for a little longer before declaring their rates but will are keeping on top of this.

W: I rather like the idea of getting out of London during the Olympics – but how long will people want to rent for? Two weeks? A month?
M: A number of spectators will want the property for the specific time in which they have tickets so probably not much before the games start on the 27th July where as the corporates will need properties in advance of the games. Our Weymouth office and Chelsea office have already placed Olympic affiliated people so a month before for a corporate is to be expected.

W: Will renters be happy moving in to what is someone’s house, full of their belongings? If not, how much will I have to clear?
M: Leave whatever you feel comfortable leaving – I suggest removing things of value. Treat it very much like a holiday let like when you rent a cottage somewhere in the countryside for a few days, there should be enough things in the property so that people can get on and live comfortably (ie) crockery, cutlery, beds, bed sheets, towels.

W: And if they do live among all my stuff, how can one be satisfied they won’t wreck it?
M: The best way to ensure this is with an inventory – done professionally by an independent company. Martin & co Wanstead can arrange this for you and let you have a copy also. Without an inventory you don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to disputes and even doing one yourself now makes it more difficult. Remember it’s not the tenant’s responsibility to prove they didn’t do it, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to prove the tenant did do it! A deposit should always be taken up front and this should act as security and deter any negligence on the behalf of the tenants. Ultimately there is always risk with leaving belongings and if you leave the property with many valuable pieces that could get damaged then this wouldn’t really be fair to the tenant as they want to relax if they’re paying big money and don’t want to have to constantly worry about damaging or knocking something in every room.

W: Is there likely to be a market for rooms in houses rather than entire houses? (B&Bs!)
M: I would think so. We have a number of homeowners in the area who have decide to rent out their loft conversions as it’s pretty much self-contained in the sense that it has a bedroom and en suite bathroom. This is a good way for homeowners to keep an eye on their property and also to make some extra cash even if they are not in a situation to completely up and leave the property for a number of weeks.

W: When is the best time to get this arranged? Might rents go up closer to the games?
M: I would say it’s almost certain that rents will go up closer to the games, like anything it’s a matter of timing and the later its left and the more desperate people become then the higher rent people are often prepared to pay. Look at the premier league football transfer windows which create such a fuss. Clubs hold out to the very last moments in order to get their business done and holding out for the very top price. Now my suggestion would be that if you can locate a good tenant, for a good duration at a good price then take it and tie it up. There is no point hanging around or hoping for something, at least by tying it up it will allow you to plan for next year and make your own arrangements.

W: If we do decide to rent, what are the legal or health and safety requirements?
M: In the same way as a normal let. safety of tenants is paramount. Have a gas safety certificate in place, proof that the property is electrically safe and an EPC. Also ensure that any furniture left complies with the fixtures and furnishings regulations – anything padded or upholstered, and mattresses, etc should have a fire safety label. Speak to your mortgage company and insurance company. Understand that this is your principal place of residents – understand the risks involved and speak with your agent.

Thanks to Mike Molloy of Martin&Co.. Anyone who has already arranged an Olympic let or has other thoughts about it is welcome to contact Wansteadium’s resident property blogger George C Parker – georgecparker@wansteadium.com

Wansteadium’s property blogger George C Parker writes:

Look out Wanstead estate agents! There’s a new fox on our blocks. Householders have recently been leafletted with enticing introductory offers by the newly-established Stratford branch of Foxtons.

While the Mini-wrangling marketeers have both admirers and detractors, nobody can deny the reach and the buzz that their business has built up over recent years. I’d bet my last Monopoly fiver that these guys’ arrival on our doorstep will increase the exposure of Wanstead properties to a greater number of interested buyers.

Lucky for them that they’ve managed to kick off with a property that simply deserves to be seen by the widest possible audience – take this beautiful Park Road home in Aldersbrook – a stunning adaptation of the classic Edwardian terrace. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, gloriously sleek open-plan living, and a spiffing little garden room at the end of your sylvan glade. Most habitues of the Foxtons website will be goggle-eyed at the value that exists in this part of town!

The Grass is Sometimes Stepney Greener
People often ask me at cocktail parties: “George, with all the techno-distractions like e-mail, online messaging and Blackberrys, how does a mogul like yourself find the time for all the, er, mogulling that has to be done?”

Draining my glass and reaching for another stiff Tom Collins from the waiter, I always reply that the answer is a good invigorating run. There is no overload of meeting requests and message that cannot be overcome by simply lacing up the trusty Dunlop Green Flash, firing up Churchill’s Greatest Speeches on the iPod and beating the bounds of one’s beloved Wanstead.

Normally I just shoot around our excellent parks until the internal fog clears, and I am ready to deliver another commercial blockbuster of a decision. However, on occasion I require extended periods of rumination and have been known to pootle right across the Flats and all the way up to the City, a solid jog of about an hour from Wanstead.

In recent times this route has kept me up to speed with the incredible transformation of Olympic Stratford, and also the parallel decline of less topical parts of the East End such as downtrodden Stepney. Until now that is! Thanks to the English Heritage High Street 2012 programme a row of once-grand shopfronts (described in the article as ‘opposite the landmark former Wickham department store’) are being restored to former glories.

Having jogged thence from E11, my interest was naturally piqued by the similarity of these buildings in age and standard to those in Wanstead High Street between Santander and 62 Spice. As these proud properties regain their poise and elegance, I returned to the site and produced a ‘then and now’ photograph, above, showing the incredible effect that the work is having on improving the character of the area (and the desirability of the flats above the shops).

The place will look a million dollars, soon enough! Supporters of the Wanstead Smarter High Street Campaign take courage!

Dedication time
Finally, I wish a warm welcome to reader Aadil who is sagely leaving South East London behind and moving up to Wanstead’s greener pastures this month. Thanks for the e-mail!

Wansteadium’s property blogger George C Parker writes:

During the bubble years, many speculators seemed to forget that a house is first and foremost a place to live. Nowadays it seems people are buying houses for the ‘right reasons’, and are more inclined to improve or extend them as their requirements change. For those planning a Spring project, now is a good time to be researching recommendations from friends and neighbours. Never be shy to ask! People seem to like discussing domestic construction work – it is one of those engrossing and emotive subjects like surviving a plane crash, or live-donating an organ.

When we extended the current Parker Towers into the loft space, several of our neighbours were extremely generous with their time and advice, passing on invaluable “dos”, “don’ts” and “not with a bargepoles”. Naturally these discussions took place in convivial surroundings, which always helps. To paraphrase the advert: Smoothing out the design, planning (if you’re in one of our Conservation Areas) and actual build experiences over a friendly g&t – priceless!

Perfect information
The very observant among you might have noticed that the Wansteadium top brass have been trying out something new in the line of property information. We’ve had it hidden away a bit, but from today, and thanks to our chums at Nestoria, we are offering you on our front page an up-to-date list, with pictures, of houses and flats on the market in Wanstead. For those of us who are mildly obsessive about the subject it is a bit like crack. I hope you enjoy it all as much as I have – any reactions welcome – georgecparker@wansteadium.com should reach me just fine.

Popcorn
Congratulations to local cineaste Helmie Stil! The silver screen is a passion of mine, and I’ve enjoyed discovering Helmie’s blossoming career online

Maybe one year Wanstead will support its own Film festival – possibly outdoors like the Stella Screen events – who knows?! George Green I’m looking at you!

Anyway, as our latest auteur continues to garner awards and critical acclaim, I’m beginning to wonder if the pavement outside the former Kinema should be inset with golden stars and cemented hand prints.

Pride of place would go to local lad Alfred Hitchcock. Mike Leigh also shot Another Year in Aldersbrook, as hardened readers will remember.

And late intelligence reaches me that movie scouts are going round some of the model 1930s semis on the Nightingale Estate, looking for a house to set a new film in. In my humble opinion, they’re nice enough roads round there – some houses still look perfectly preserved as 1930s examples, though low interest rates are leading to many a loft conversion. It’s not quite the Counties, naturally, but can feel like a slice of pure England there. I shall furnish you with more information about the film as I get it.

Harking back a couple of years, my erstwhile golfing buddy Robert Mitchum used Wanstead Park in his 1977 vehicle “The Big Sleep”. SeventiesRatPack.com!

I suppose I could say the movie looks dated now, but then its director might pass the same comment back at me! Michael Winner, Joan Collins, Edward Fox and Oliver Reed in Wanstead – those were the days. The High Street was like the Kings Road that golden summer. Of course it would be indiscreet of me to recall if Ollie had the odd skinful in the George, or if Winner was obnoxious to any local restaurateurs! Maybe I’d reveal all in Helmie’s next blockbuster biography of a Wanstead property tycoon and blogger …

Wansteadium’s property blogger George C Parker offers his regular round-up.

The opulent Stratford City Westfield is coming, and I think it may bring a touch of retail therapy to the Wanstead property market.
Although the organisers of Tuesday’s opening ceremony were not able to secure my services in time, they were very wise to install Pussycat Nicole at short notice – she will be a most adequate stand in. Shortly before noon, amidst great pomp, the front doors will glide noiselessly asunder, ushering in a new realm of stores and attractions – all a mere three miles from our doorstep. I’m sure I’ll be along to visit shortly, be it to check out the sensible cardigans at the John Lewis, show the youngsters a thing or two about ten-pin at the All Star Lanes, or perhaps take the current Mrs Parker to the movies. Doubtless our local estate agents will be name-dropping Westfield at every opportunity now.

Some might say that Westfield’s emergence may be the re-making of Wanstead High Street. The village atmosphere that many of us appreciate, and would like to develop further, is a delicate and sometimes elusive mixture. Perhaps the emergence of this brash newcomer to the West, with its stark branding and chain outlets might counterpose the quieter and greener environs we enjoy closer to home. If it encourages more specialist small shops, eateries, perhaps a gallery or some studios to set up in the near future, then Wanstead benefits both ways.

* Multiple occupancy of property has been getting a bad name recently. Especially when large numbers of squatters are involved!

According to the resurgent Wanstead Guardian Redbridge Council are reviewing their legislative options on this hot topic. Spokesmen talk earnestly of preserving a village atmosphere by ensuring that any future applications for ‘homes in multiple occupation’ are less likely to be approved.

Fortunately the vast majority of Wanstead properties are used and cherished as family homes, but it’s good to hear that such bases are being covered. Perhaps at the end of the discussions there may be time for the Planning and Regeneration committee to discuss enforcing a solution to the site of the former High Street chocolate shop! That would be a great welcome to the incoming restaurateurs on the site of the former Russell’s Bar.

* One of Wanstead’s most distinguished properties is the splendid, Grade II-listed The Shrubbery. Comprising of three elegant blocks, some of the 42 apartments in this 1935 Art Deco gem boast original features such as the tiled fireplaces and beautiful wood block flooring. Now beloved of senior Wansteadians due to its excellent access to the High Street and Christchurch Green, the Shrubbery is also only a short dash to the diversions of the Library and Wanstead House. A dear departed old aunt of mine lived through the latter part of her dotage there, and loved the ‘dolls-house’ fitted kitchens that they originally came with. You could almost imagine Q himself designing the near-lethal folding out ironing board contraption. This ground-floor apartment would be an ideal base for someone who wants to be near the centre of town – perhaps near relatives – without the worry of managing a house or even using the stairs. With a garage included in the price, this seems a wonderful way to continue enjoying Wanstead life.

Summertime – and the living’s easy, or so Gershwin would have it.

However, busy estate agents would probably beg to differ, as they try to unite growing families with their dream property during the school summer holidays.

You’ve probably noticed the late flowering of signboards peeping over gateposts in the streets of Wanstead over the past few weeks (three visible in this photo, below, in Cowley Road alone). For the agent, the viewing days are longer, the list of potential buyers swells, and of course people disappear off on holiday at various crucial stages of the dreaded ‘chain’.

But on the positive side, houses certainly sell better when it’s warm; open windows and sunny gardens sell the property better than any sales chatter.

It also certainly helps that people moving just a short distance to gain that extra room or garden space often have a good idea of what they are looking for. Friendships, schools, kids sports and activities clubs, not to mention the convenience of commuting are all very comfortable habits once acquired.

With that kind of buyer in mind, I particularly liked the cut of this Sylvan Road property priced at £549k, and on sale with Petty Son and Prestwich. Five bedrooms means the place could comfortably accommodate a large family, with perhaps a spare room devoted to visitors or home working.

Better still there’s an entire basement floor in which the teenage members of the brood could avoid their elders. The downside – it’s close enough to Snaresbrook station to smell young Dan’s excellent coffee. This does seem fairly reflected in the price, and it’s worth bearing in mind that one’s inner ear soon gets used to reassuring, regular rail noise. I’d just turn the Gershwin up to 11…

First rung on the the ladder

Renting in the capital has probably never been more expensive, and mortgage deposits have rarely been so high. Mortgage lenders are beginning to re-introduce reasonable first-timer rates into the wild, but are girding their profits via ever chubbier fees. It’s a very frustrating situation for those hoping to save enough to enter the property market, especially in more desirable areas.

All hope is not lost: for those looking to fly the nest, or perhaps the landlord, here is an interesting starter apartment with attractive outdoor space (Selsdon Road, for £220k). I also like how well the vendor has marketed this towards couples – counterposing the yin (attractive interiors for her) with the yang (a natty little shed for him). Good luck to all who sail in her.

Pax Wansteadia

During the recent period of urban unrest, Wanstead was well protected. Winston Churchill glared from his perch across our High Street as ere he did in days of yore. The danger was met and passed with no resort to his ‘We will fight them on the beaches’ (updated for 2011 with references to the Co-Op, the Larder, or even one of the tanning parlours).

Since a number of our cherished local traders were requested to close early by Police, I’ve made sure to show them my continued support and appreciation. As Mrs Parker noted this week, I’ve been particularly appreciative and supportive of the barbecue skewers from AG Dennis – heaven – though each time I’ve forgotten to ask whether or not they missed out on any trading hours. Perhaps next time I pop in ..

Any property spots tickle your fancy? Let George know; georgecparker@wansteadium.com

What precipitation! What irrigation! What downpours! A couple of nice days, admittedly, giving us a tiny breathing space in which to cut back the overgrown lawns, but with more rain forecast, next week’s column might turn out to be Parker’s Arks.

I’m not a great one for galoshes, and it’s bad luck to open an umbrella indoors, except when cocktails are involved.

So when the monsoon arrives, I like to spend some quality time with the remote control and my favourite armchair, and an afternoon’s-worth of reruns of Grand Designs and the occasional hob-nob.

I must say there’s something of the young George in dear Kevin McCloud. The principles, the passion, the sensible knitwear .. he’s got it going on all right.

As for his programme of dreams and ambitions – I guess you could say that Wanstead hasn’t really featured in the shows to date.

Perhaps there’s a conjunction between the relatively high land prices and innate conservatism of the area – or maybe the producers find it easier to film when there’s a lovely loch as a backdrop.

Whatever those reasons, Wanstead, Snaresbrook and Aldersbrook have a number of former churches, shuttered-buildings, brownfield parcels and the like which are crying out to be brought to their full potential. Remember the grim facade of the current Belgique site, before the croissants arrived! And that was just a makeover, not a Grand Design!

Redbridge are currently evaluating a plan to replace 12 scratty old garages with a residential development in the heart of Nightingale country. Existing residents rightly raise issues of congestion, intrusion and privacy – but it’s very tempting to point out that the status quo is not worth preserving.

The ambitious plan, whose architects are actually based in the Corner House, includes a grass roof, solar panels, and heat recovery equipment too. Assuming the developers keep to their positive pledges regarding sensitivity of design, sustainability and renewables, the proposed four-bedroom house and two apartments would greatly improve the site and of course its situation. I’ll be keeping a close eye…

Mulholland Drive

When I’ve finished my McCloud binge, and cannot manage a single ‘will they be in by Christmas’ cliff-hanger more, I move on to the DVD collection.

Firing up the popcorn maker – that reminds me, we could do with a health-food shop on the High Street like this one – I make a selection based on the usual criteria – Oscars won, famous scenes, whether or not the current Mrs Parker is at home, and so on.

I’m unerringly drawn to film noir with its dark brooding heroes (and villains), the dirty deals and the charismatic properties that provide the backdrops.

So as I surveyed the curving expanses of Grove Park this week, I was excited to see this hidden gem peeping through the lush and overgrown frontage. To me it instantly evoked a Hollywood villa in the idiom of a Lloyd-Wright, though they do mention it’s hardly been done up since Frank’s day (and yet is on the market for offers in excess of £800,000). It’ll need more than TLC and a new red carpet inside, but with all the room available, a well-appointed home cinema would be a possibility, although I’d demur from gold stars and cement handprints set in the patio. With renovation in mind, the agents have provided a storyboard of their own, marketing the property with detailed graphics suggesting how new owners might create their own happy ending.

Spot any Wanstead properties on the market which put you in mind of TV, films or even musical theatre? You can always drop a line to George at georgecparker@wansteadium.com with your rave reviews.

Wanstead’s property blogger George C Parker writes:

Like many people I was outraged by the recent phone hacking scandal, and I made sure I left an angry message to the News of the World on my voicemail. However I try though, I soon turn from the news pages to the property pages – it’s the way we moguls are made.

Talking of telecoms, much of Wanstead’s voice and data traffic still travels through the exchange in Gordon Road, though regretfully fibre-optics have now replaced the rows of nimble-fingered, honey-toned lady operators… I’m sorry, where was I?

As well as being a communications hub, Gordon Road is well positioned for many of Wanstead’s primary schools, Christchurch Green, and either local Tube station.

It’s a good example of a road where property is still snapped up when it becomes available – according to mouseprice.co.uk, three Gordon Road houses have changed hands this year with strong annualised returns. Registering for online alerts with estate agents and web property portals will give you a competitive advantage, and the fateful email might even whizz through one of those fibre-optics ..

Vertical gardening
I’m mildly impressed by these people who can croft great mounds of food from their window boxes and garden containers, like this chap. They festoon their home and castle with every manner of fruit and legume, conjuring up veritable Harvest Festivals of grub. Part of me wonders why they don’t turn their roof tile over to grazing cattle and be done with it. But please don’t ask George C Parker for a valuation on one of these agricultural spectaculars! Most buyers will not want to inherit a ploughing schedule when they move in – if they did, they’d buy a real farm.

However, for those green-fingered people who want to grow a little happiness outdoors, there’s always an allotment. Local plots include as those at Redbridge Lane West, which are more than handy for the Warren Estate. Now I’m no gardener, and would always prefer my organic veg to arrive ready washed fresh from the delivery van to having to dig them up. But I’d be happy to trundle down to tend my patch from this lovely Tennyson Avenue property (5 bedroom detached, just £1.275m). Possibly a little on the Margo and Jerry end of the Good Life scale, but I guess I could always wipe my wellies carefully outside.

At the other end of the property scale, here is a bijou residencethat might help you with pests in the garden – at £24.95 this comes in well below the Stamp Duty threshold, and is not subject to HIP (Hedgehog Information Pack) legislation.

George C Parker, Wansteadium’s property blogger, writes:

Anyone for Tennis?Like everyone else in summertime, I do love watching the tennis. Every June I like to dust off my Fred Perrys, mow the lawn, and then sit down with a refreshing barley water in front of the ladies doubles. And when game, set and match are won at either the Warren Italian Tennis Club, the Drummon Lawn Tennis club, or the Aldersbrook Tennis Club then I sometimes pop the telly on to watch a bit of Sir Cliff in the rain at Wimbledon.

Near to the Lawn Tennis establishment is this charming Arts and Crafts property. The rear garden is small, but with enough space for a Pimms and strawberry break between matches, and there is a glorious greensward to the front of the house.

Closer to the clay club is this well-situated Overton Drive property. The price looks good – as dear McEnroe would say – you cannot be serious!

The festival season: Wanstead Park hosts some wonderful summer events in its beautiful grounds. Coming up on 9 July is Music in Wanstead Park, an all-day festival of music and community. Later in the summer Illyria will stage Fantastic Mr Fox for kids, and I will be enjoying an al-fresco G&T in front of their G&S – the Pirates of Penzance come August.

I’ve heard it said that Wanstead folk do not often venture south of the park into neighbouring Aldersbrook, but from time to time, perhaps they should. The houses are mostly elegant Edwardian and quite a few of the tree-lined turnings are almost traffic free.

Besides the park, Aldersbrook offers a friendly local primary school, a library and a medical practice. Outdoors there are stables, the Flats, allotments, a bowls club for adrenaline junkies… What’s more it even gets dark at night-time, being insulated from urban glare by the surrounding green space. It’s positively rural compared to its neighbours. House prices tend to be lower on average than Wanstead proper, due to the lack of Tube. However, Manor Park rail connects with Stratford (will we call it Westfield in future?) in six minutes, giving easy onward access to Canary Wharf, the City, so it’s not exactly isolated. And at the time of writing, there are no plans to introduce controlled parking…

George’s mailbag: A couple of weeks I wrote about a bungalow on St Mary’s Ave which was up for sale, reckoning as I did that its future did not look too rosy, being too prime a spot for a mere bungalow. Wansteadium reader Trevor writes in reply:

“While I would certainly demolish the staggeringly unremarkable bungalow on the St Marys Ave plot were I in a position to fund both land and re-build, I have a foreboding about what will indeed arise from the ashes. There is currently another rebuild under way in the road, and a predictably naff pastiche is emerging, constructed in horribly low rent materials. I’m not against the replacement of undistinguished houses on such a road, if the replacement is an improvement. The bungalow plot allows the perfect opportunity to build something genuinely elegant, ingenious and MODERN. Something that will show folks in 2111 that we were capable of designing houses 100 years previously, rather than copy what was fashionable a further century into history, but get wrong every time.”

On an unrelated matter, polite fellow reader Catherine writes:

Dear Mr. George C Parker
I was perusing Rightmove as one normally does on a Tuesday evening and came across this property for sale on the Aldersbrook Estate. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bedroom like it! (Look at the images) What do you think? It’s a corker isn’t it? My boudoir is also being shown on Rightmove at the moment ( a casual peruse of the site a few months back led to me putting in a offer on a property) but I can assure you mine is nothing like the one photographed above.

I would hope not, my dear.

You can contact George with delicious titbits of property news concerning Wanstead, Snaresbrook or Aldersbrook via georgecparker@wansteadium.com