THE WANSTEAD CHRISTMAS TREE PART 2..

Just before you get to see the photographs I have to let you know that we have a new supply of Wanstead Society Calendars in stock. The first batch sold out immediately so don't hesitate they won't last long, at only £6 each they are a great buy for yourself or as a present. All proceeds go the Wanstead Society.

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                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Well you saw the lights being put on yesterday and here it is tonight in all its glory and it looks great, a wonderful seasonal addition to George Green

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

THE WANSTEAD CHRISTMAS TREE..

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was on my way home last night from an art exhibition in Spitalfields, artist Marc Gooderham who exhibited with us recently had some pictures on show. As I came past Wanstead station these guys were putting the lights on the Wanstead Christmas tree on George Green. I'd better get my letter off to Santa before it's to late.

  World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

THREE OAKS..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

This is another photograph taken on George Green, I took it shortly after yesterday's picture, it seemed a shame not to make the most of the light. I've always assumed these trees were planted as a group but as you can see from the picture there appears to be an age difference, youngest on the left etc...

LOW WINTER SUN..

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I know I said look out for more black and white pictures this week and that was my intention, however, I keep coming across all these gorgeous colours combined with great light. I'll have to wait until it gets a little more gloomy for the black and white shots. I took this picture on George Green the other morning, this low winter sun is great, it has a real clarity for photography. I hope you enjoy the photograph.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DISPLAY..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved.

Christmas is almost upon us as Lillies flower shop in the High Street depicts with a profusion of artistic excellence.  This display of colour caught my eye as I drove by the other evening.  I have to say that Lillies of Wanstead always has a lovely window but excels each and every holiday and high day.

BLACK AND WHITE WEEK.

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

We get fantastic early morning light in our house, we have a big window facing East and it catches every ray of sunlight. This image that looks like some sort of giant spider about to pounce is in fact a shadow from one of our house plants, sorry don't know the species. Look out for more black and white photographs this week. 

WINTER LIGHTS..

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

One of the better things about winter and it getting dark early is that lights in building go on and you get a peek of what is going on inside. I was passing the United Reformed Church in Nightingale Lane and the lights were on and it was an opportunity to glimpse in through the window and see the lovely arches and ceiling. Enjoy your Sunday.

MORNING SKY..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I published a similar photograph to this back in late October, it was the same scene and the picture was taken roughly at the same time of day. What a difference in the sky though, back in October it was grey, overcast and looked thoroughly miserable and here we are in mid November and it looks beautiful. British weather eh !

YOUR RIGHT....IT'S NOT WANSTEAD

     World © Geoff Wilkinson  - All rights reserved
    

I was in Dorset yesterday on a magazine assignment, it was a beautiful if very cold day. As I drove past the beach I couldn't resist stopping to take this picture of the Jurassic coastline. There were very few people about, too cold even for dinosaurs.

FLYING HIGH..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I spotted this 'plane flying above Wanstead, I like to see the contrails that they leave at that height. This one really appealed to me because of the colour of the trail against the sky. I wonder where it was going ?

BATTLESBRIDGE..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I paid a visit to Battlesbridge in Essex a few days ago, it's got a nice pub but mainly it's known as an antiques centre. Lots of dealers housed in a variety of old buildings, always a lot to see and explore. The river Crouch runs through it and this is where I found this old hulk, sad to see it in this condition but certainly made for an atmospheric picture.

WOODFORD AND WANSTEAD CAMERA CLUB..

I was invited recently by the Woodford and Wanstead Camera Club to judge their print competition. So I duly turned up last Teusday evening at the clubs meeting room in Wanstead, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I have to say it was a really great night, a good enthusiastic, friendly turnout, excellent tea and most importantly some really great pictures. I looked through roughly fifty photographs in different categories and I didn't come across a bad one, in fact I was really impressed by the high standard of work. In short a great club with great members, I look forward to a return visit.

The photograph above shows me with some of the members looking over some of the winning photographs and below a selection of the entries including the overall winner, third from left on the bottom row.

Many thanks to club member Aimee Benn for supplying these two photographs shot with her iPhone. 

ANOTHER GREAT SKY...

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

You probably know by now that I have a soft spot for clouds and skies. I stepped out of our Gallery in Nightingale Lane the other evening and saw this wonderful colour in the sky behind the old hospital on Hermon Hill. A lovely end to the working day.

NIGHT SKY....

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I always thought that birds were tucked up in their nest after dark, shows you what I know. I took this picture early evening in Nightingale Lane, Wanstead. I liked the moon in-between the chimneys as a composition, the birds flying home to roost was pure luck.

COLOUR ?

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

The gardeners amongst you probably know the answer to this but to me it's always a puzzle. Why do some leaves on the same tree last longer than others as the winter sets in? These leaves are on the Cherry tree in my garden, how come they are still full of colour while the others have fallen ?

A STROLL IN THE RAIN 3....

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I passed Robins Pie and Mash shop in the High Street on my walk. Although relatively new to Wanstead the family has been serving up pie and mash for five generations in East London and Essex. Anyway I like the awning at the side of the shop and on this day the warmth of the light in the shop shining through the window of the awning looked very welcoming. I have to tell you that those empty tables in the picture were soon filled as people escaped the rain to tuck into this traditional East End dish.

A STROLL IN THE RAIN 2....

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

After I had finished at Christ Church I walked across Christchurch Green to see how the fallen trees were faring. All of the upper parts had been removed but the upturned roots were still there together with the damage done to the paths. It's still a sad sight but Wanstonians seem to be taking it in their stride as the picture above shows. People are still power walking even in the rain.

A STROLL IN THE RAIN..

                       World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I took a walk in the rain last weekend, the weather provided lovely soft light to everything. I came across this window and doorway at the side of Christ Church. I really like architectural detail and the balance between the doorway and window I thought was perfect. Interestingly the architect wasn't tempted to follow the arched top of the window and apply it to the door which I think would have been the obvious thing to do, I like it the way it is.

11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH...

Remembrance Sunday,

The photographs below were taken yesterday at The Wanstead War Memorial in the High Street. It was raining and cold, unusually for me I am not going to say anything more except that black and white images just seemed fitting as did the Angel amid the trees.

   All pictures World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

'EASTENDERS ART EXHIBITION...

If you couldn't make it last weekend to see Marc Gooderhams prints of his great eastend paintings and my five new photographs of Spitalfields it's not too late. The exhibition still has another two weeks to run so don't miss out just pop in and have a look at this great 'eastend' artwork.

THE WANSTEAD SOCIETY CALENDAR..

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

We now have copies in our gallery for sale of The Wanstead Society 2014 calendar. All the pictures are of course of Wanstead and the Society have made a great job of the layout. If you live in Wanstead it's a must buy whether for yourself or as a gift, at only £6 it's a bargain. All the money  goes to The Wanstead Society, an organisation that does a great job for the residents of Wanstead.  Stop by and have a look, the gallery is at:

'eightyfour',

84 Nightingale Lane,

Wanstead,

E11 2EZ

0208 530 1244

WINTER WARMTH..

  Pictures world © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I know I have said before that winter is on the way, I always feel that after Guy Fawkes night winter has really arrived no matter what the temperature or weather. I came across this window on a stroll the other night, it's a half bay with mullions. With the lamp on the window ledge creating this lovely warm glow it looked like really inviting, just the place for a winters evening. I couldn't decide which composition I liked the most so here are both pictures.

BONFIRE NIGHT.

                            World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

Most of the firework displays seemed to have happened last Saturday not on the 5th. However I had a drive around last night and found this family letting off their fireworks on Wanstead Flats, I'm glad they waited till the 5th. In case you are wondering the reflection is on the roof of my car.

SHADOWS..

                      World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I took this photograph tonight, I was out looking for firework displays but couldn't resist this pattern caused by a street lamp. Let me know if you have any idea where it is.

PAINTING IN CAMERA

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

The picture within the camera is a print of a painting by artist Mark Gooderham who does great work around Spitalfields and East London, he's a real talent. Mark and I are showing at 'eightyfour' at the moment, my photographs and prints of  Marc's paintings, all limited editions. If you couldn't make it this weekend it will be on show for another three weeks so pop in when you have a moment.

'eightyfour', 84 Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, London E11 2EZ

T: 0208 530 1244.

Wednesday to Saturday 10 till 5 and Sunday 10.30 till 4

EASTEND EXHIBITION...

           World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

If you are around today at 2.30pm or any time after pop in to our gallery 'eightyfour'. It's the first day of our new exhibition of images of the 'eastend', Artist Marc Gooderham is showing prints of his fabulous paintings of the 'eastend' and there are new, never before seen, photographs by me to complete the show. Even if I say so myself there are some really good pictures on show, come in and have a look around. If you can't make it today the show is on for the next two weeks. Thank you to Mrs Wilkinson for taking the photograph above.

'eightyfour' 84 Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, London E11 2EZ  0208 530 1244. Wednesday to Saturday 10am till 5pm, Sunday 10.30am till 4pm.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT...

    World © Geoff Wilkinson - All rights reserved

I was driving past this house last night and couldn't help but do a double take, parked on the front was this hearse complete with coffin. It took me a few seconds before I realised of course it was Halloween night.

Phil of the excellent Elegance Wedding Cars company organised this Halloween jape, it's the second year that he's done it. Last year it attracted over 300 people and they all wanted a repeat performance this year.

    All images world © Geoff Wilkinson -All rights reserved.