40 years ago: 1961

A three-year struggle to save the historic vicarage of St Mary's Church in South Woodford was still unresolved.

A move by the county planning committee to push through a building preservation order met with angry objections from councillors at a county council meeting.

Woodford Council wanted to demolish the rectory to make way for a new town hall and municipal offices.

Three families who feared that they would have no home for Christmas were told they could stay on at the Blake Hall Road address in Wanstead until the New Year.

The house was due to be demolished to make way for luxury flats.

20 years ago: 1981

A masked gang of four hijacked a Post Office van in South Woodford, bundled the postman into the back and tied him up. They then drove the van around South Woodford before dumping it in Mallards Road, Woodford Green, and escaping with several packages of registered mail.

Woodford Green traders feared an unprofitable Christmas and declining business because of commuter parking.

Shopkeepers of The Broadway met local councillors this week after a rapid escalation of parking in streets after a recent cut in tube fares.

The traders' complaints were referred to the parking sub-committee for an urgent report.

Happy the Dwarf was unhappy after he was snatched from a front garden in Theydon Grove, Woodford Green. He left behind his six companions, Snow White, his owner and many children who admired him.

Neighbours were on the alert to look out for Happy.

10 years ago: 1991

A man returning home from a bridge evening died in a hit and run accident in Wanstead.

He was crossing Cambridge Park near George Green to catch a bus when he was struck by a VW Golf. The Golf did not stop and the man was hit by a Ford Fiesta as he lay in the road.

Police were warning shopkeepers and the public to beware of a flood of forged £10 and £20 notes being passed across the counter. Officers said five of the notes were handed in over three days this week.

A Wanstead detective masterminding the biggest ever crackdown on burglary in Britain attacked light sentences which left offenders free to steal again.