Looking back
Wanstead Parklands Community Project members Stuart Munro, Ralph Potter, Richard Arnopp and Alan Cornish in front of the Temple in Wanstead Park A community group felt like it had been kicked in the teeth after plans to bid for lottery funding to restore an East London park were shelved ten years ago this week.
Months of hard work has been wasted after a decision not to press ahead with the restoration of an ‘at-risk’ historic park, according to a community group.
The City of London Corporation (CLC) has ditched a plan to bid this year for heritage lottery funds to restore Wanstead Park due to fears over the long-term cost.
Built in 1760, the Temple has been restored several times and served different purposes in its history. Although the current building’s designer remains a mystery, the exterior’s Tuscan style is a product of the vision of John 2nd Earl Tylney (1712 to 1784), the owner of Wanstead house in the latter half of the 18th century. Inspired by what he had seen on a tour of Europe, Tylney wanted to replicate the remains of ancient Rome in Wanstead, and duly started planning his architectural ode to classical civilisation.
The Temple Richard Arnopp, a local historian and member of Friends of Wanstead Parklands, has had a keen interest in the Temple from a young age.
Published:
12:00 PM December 14, 2020
The historic Grade-II listed Wanstead grotto is set to be restored thanks to a £10,000 grant.
- Credit: Heritage of London Trust Archive
The Wanstead Grotto, one of the last surviving remnants of the 18th century Wanstead House, has been saved thanks to a £10,000 grant from a conservation charity.
The Grade-II listed grotto in Wanstead Park was damaged by fire in 1884 and while it has had patchy repairs since then it has been badly declining and was placed on the Heritage at Risk register.
The facade at Wanstead Grotto, which fell into disrepair after a fire in 1884.
- Credit: Heritage of London Trust Archive