Spring 2019
Forest Focus
The magazine for Epping Forest
Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture in Epping Forest
Free
Forest insects Crack down feeling the heat on fly tipping Spring 2019 Forest Focus 1
Welcome Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Epping Forest as it bursts with life. The Forest transforms from its winter greys and browns to vibrant greens, splashed with the cheery colours of spring blossom. Our featured walk for this edition highlights an area of woodland that shows off what is perhaps Epping Forest’s most wonderful springtime sight, a swathe of nodding bluebells amongst the dappled trees. P18–19 In late spring, the cattle are turned out to graze, continuing their invaluable work maintaining the woodpasture; Stockman John Phillips gives an update P17.
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Other City of London open spaces to visit
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Forest insects are feeling the heat 2 Forest Focus Spring 2019
If you turn to page 15, Information Assistant Steve Denford takes a look at cycling in Epping Forest in the days before Lycra. Head of Conservation Jeremy Dagley introduces us to a new Epping Forest resident, the tree bumblebee. P11 Our Criminal Investigation and Waste Management Team goes from strength to strength battling fly tips in the Forest. P14. Turn to page 16 to see some of the highlights of spring in Epping Forest.
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A boost for Highams Park Lake: an Angling Trust grant
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Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture in Epping Forest
Enjoy this wonderful time of year and do share your photos of spring in Epping Forest with us via social media #EppingForest. @COLEppingForest Epping Forest City of London coleppingforest
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#TreesNotTrash – Forest fights fly tipping
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Not to be missed spring sights and sounds
The Woodford Meet – A cycling showcase
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Bluebell stroll Spring 2019 Forest Focus 3
News in brief Why not explore some of our other open spaces? The City of London owns and manages green spaces in and around London for public recreation and health, including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, Burnham Beeches, City Commons, City Gardens, City of London Cemetery and Crematorium and West Ham Park. The Open Spaces Department also includes London Heritage sites: Keats’ House, The Monument and Tower Bridge.
Edited by Clare Eastwood
See our website for a full list of sites, locations and facilities.
Photographers: Adrian Brooker, City of London Open Spaces Department, Chris Gibson, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Lucy Murphy, Brian Pallet, Mark Powter, Alan Woodgate and Yvette Woodhouse
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ greenspaces Forest Focus is produced by The City of London Corporation.
Design by Steers McGillan Eves www.steersmcgillaneves.co.uk Print by APS The inclusion of advertising, logos or Web site links in this magazine does not constitute an endorsement by the City of London Corporation in its capacity as Conservators of Epping Forest or otherwise of the products or services so advertised.
Keep in touch Why not sign up to receive our email version of Forest Focus? If you prefer to receive a printed copy in the post, please forward a cheque, along with your name and address, for £2.50 per edition or £10 for four editions. Please make cheques payable to The City of London and post to the address below. Free of charge copies are available from the Forest Visitor Centres and at many other venues in and around the Forest. You can also read Forest Focus online for free at www.issuu.com/cityoflondoneppingforest If you would like to receive a copy of Forest Focus in an alternative format, please contact us. Epping Forest, The Warren, Loughton, Essex IG10 4RW 020 8532 1010
@COLEppingForest
epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Epping Forest City of London
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest 4 Forest Focus Spring 2019
coleppingforest
There but not there In November, to join in with the national remembrance marking the centenary of the end of World War One, Epping Forest welcomed six ‘There But Not There’ Tommy figures. These were placed in significant locations around Epping Forest. They were situated at war memorials which are on Epping Forest land at Epping, Loughton and Wanstead. The remaining figures were sited at the Pillow Mounds at High Beach to commemorate the War poet Edward Thomas, who lived close by. His wife, Helen Thomas, wrote a moving account of Edward’s departure from High Beach, as he went off to war, where he was sadly killed at the Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917. Another figure was posted at the top of Pole Hill to mark where one of the gun emplacements was positioned in the War. The final figure was stationed at The View and Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Chingford, where a special exhibition took place, which looked at the impact of World War One on Epping Forest.
Above: Bluebells in Wanstead Park Cover: Yellowhammer by Mark Powter
New Verderer Epping Forest is delighted to announce the appointment of Nicholas Munday as new Verderer for Epping Forest (south). For further information about the role of Verderers in Epping Forest, please visit our website.
Refurbishment of Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge You may have seen the scaffolding around Epping Forest’s wonderful Tudor hunt standing, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, during the autumn months of 2018. For just over two months, refurbishment works took place to ensure this important heritage building is conserved and protected. Having the scaffolding in place gave us a great opportunity to get some unique photographs from the roof of the Lodge itself. The scaffolding came down in November 2018, revealing a freshly limewashed building. Did you know you can now have this unique building all to yourself for a special occasion? You can even tie the knot inside this Tudor gem with the stunning setting of Epping Forest as the backdrop for your special day. For more information about weddings visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforestweddings or contact epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk/ 020 8532 1010 for further information.
Epping Forest announces Ellie Wilson as artist-in-residence The City of London Corporation is pleased to announce that local violinist/composer Ellie Wilson will be artist-in-residence at Epping Forest throughout 2019. Ellie is a member of ‘Britain’s most exciting new folk band’ (Uncut Magazine) and 4-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees Stick In The Wheel. The City of London Corporation are excited to be working with a nationally and internationally renowned musician and composer on this new Epping Forest-inspired project, Echoes. Throughout 2019, Ellie Wilson will create a set of new compositions inspired by the history and landscape of Epping Forest. These compositions will be performed in autumn 2019 and will be available to listen to via a sound installation at The View. To find out more, visit our website or see www.elliewilsonmusic.co.uk/ eppingforest or follow Ellie on Twitter and Instagram @elliewilsonuk.
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Places to visit
and enjoy
Epping Forest is the largest of the City of London’s open spaces, stretching 12 miles from Manor Park in East London to just north of Epping in Essex. As well as being a popular area for recreation and enjoyment, it is also of national and international conservation importance with two thirds being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
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1 If you love visiting Epping Forest, why not explore some of the City of London Corporation’s other open spaces? The City Corporation of London owns and manages several parks, gardens and open spaces in some great locations, ranging from enchanting bijou gardens in the heart of the City to open heaths, commons and vast ancient woodlands: 1. Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common These scenic green spaces are internationally important wildlife habitats. Burnham Beeches has been used as a location for many famous films, including Harry Potter and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. There is also lots of interesting Second World War history to be found at these sites.
2 2. City Commons Seven commons make up the City Commons. Lying on the borders of South London and Surrey, just a hop, skip and a jump from the City, the Commons offer a wonderful opportunity to appreciate quintessential rural English landscapes grazed by sheep and cattle. Ashtead Common The Common, with its historic wood pasture landscape, which includes an ancient earthwork and Roman villa, is a National Nature Reserve, renowned for its 2,300 ancient oak pollards. Coulsdon Common, Farthing Downs, Kenley Common and Riddlesdown Covering 246 hectares (608 acres) of rolling chalk grassland, scrub and ancient woodland, each Common has areas of downland, rich in rare flowers and insects, kept open by grazing cattle and Jacob sheep. With a rich history including the remains of prehistoric earthworks, Saxon burial mounds and historic features associated with a Battle of Britain airfield, there is plenty to see. West Wickham Common and Spring Park These treasured open spaces consist of ancient bluebell woodland, veteran trees and meadow grassland providing a refuge for wildlife and people alike. Spring 2019 Forest Focus 7
3 3. City Gardens The network of delightful City churchyards, gardens, parks, plazas and highway planting across the City is there to be enjoyed by all as well as to provide invaluable habitats for wildlife within the urban landscape. As well as many invaluable smaller green spaces such as All Hallows by the Tower Churchyard, Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden, Cleary Garden and Fen Court there are several other prominent green spaces to check out in the City, including: Coleman Street Garden An oasis of quiet overlooked by Girdlers’ Hall, home to the Worshipful Company of Girdlers. Barber Surgeons Garden An interesting herb garden containing all the plants with which surgeons needed to be familiar. Beech Gardens Newly landscaped garden in the Barbican complex.
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4 Bunhill Fields Burial Ground Bunhill Fields burial ground provides a valuable oasis of greenery consisting of grassland and shrubbery along with fine mature trees. Finsbury Circus Finsbury Circus Garden dates from 1606 and is the oldest public park in London. Gardens around St Paul’s Cathedral and Festival Gardens These gardens offer a ring-side view of the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral. Postman’s Park A shady garden which provides an attractive alternative to the busy City streets with a pathway weaving through the garden from east to west. St Dunstan-in-the-East A truly unique garden set in the ruins of a Wren church.
4. Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most popular open spaces, located just six kilometres from Trafalgar Square. An island of beautiful countryside, the magic of Hampstead Heath lies in its rich wildlife and extensive sports and recreational opportunities. There is a zoo, an athletics track, an education centre and extensive children’s facilities, as well as the famous swimming ponds and lido. Highgate Wood A beautiful ancient woodland in north London, with accessible trails, a sports ground and a playground. Queen's Park Queen’s Park is a fine example of a well-loved and hugely popular city park. This traditional Victorian park in north London boasts sports facilities, a cafe and gardens as well as a petting farm, pitch and putt golf course and tennis courts.
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5 5. The City of London Cemetery The City of London Cemetery is a stunning Grade I listed landscape. The City’s ownership of the Cemetery was a key factor in the campaign to save Epping Forest from illegal enclosure in the 1870s. Owning the City of London Cemetery meant that the City was a commoner, enabling the City Solicitor, Sir Thomas Nelson, and the Commons Preservation Society’s solicitor, Robert Hunter, to make a breakthrough in stopping the enclosures of Epping Forest land by using a single lawsuit, based on the rights of intercommonage – the right to graze animals throughout the Forest. This meant that one case could be brought against all the Lords of the Manors and on 10 November 1874 the enclosures were declared illegal.
6. West Ham Park A beautiful park with stunning ornamental gardens, mini orchard, sports facilities and widely acclaimed children’s playground. There are 12 refurbished tennis courts, brand new three lane cricket practice nets and a bandstand for summer entertainment. There is also a walk trail in the gardens which tells the history of the Park and gives information about the plants and trees in the gardens. There are lots of outdoor learning opportunities, including two wildlife gardens and pond dipping.
Find out more As well as all these amazing green spaces, The Open Spaces Department of the City of London manages The Monument, Keats House and Tower Bridge. For further information and to find out how to get to the City of London’s Open Spaces, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Get involved The City of London Corporation values the work of its many volunteers who give freely of their time to help manage and support these open spaces. If you would like to join the volunteers at your favourite park or garden to help keep these wonderful sites special, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
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A boost for Highams Park Lake: an Angling Trust grant We were delighted to be awarded a grant for improvements to Highams Park Lake from The Angling Trust under the Spring Maintenance and Fishery Improvement section of their Angling Improvement Fund.
One of our Forest Keepers, Brian Pallet, tells us about the project. We applied for £3,984.00 out of a total project cost of £10,084, the difference of £6,100 being made up of match funding. The project aims to increase angling on the lake by improving areas for anglers, to create habitats for wildlife and to benefit the local community through environmental enhancement and planting. Work got underway with the help of a fantastic team of staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to complete the project in under three days.
Over the three days, Forest Keepers, Volunteer Wardens and several members of the Highams Park Snedders local community team created four areas ready for planting. This involved putting posts in and securing the areas with fencing to protect the new plants until they become established. Approximately 95 posts and 110 metres of fence were put in place. Some 1,260 individual common reed plants were planted along with mixed aquatic plants in coir mats. Two floating islands, planted with aquatic plants and covered with anti-grazing fencing along with anti-predation (fish refuge) fencing under the water-line, were constructed and floated into place on the lake. Bar a last handful or plants to go in, the project was complete. So do grab your fishing rod and come and try the lake this spring. Remember to bring an up to date rod licence and be aware of the close season. Even if you don’t fish, you will still be able to enjoy seeing the new plants coming to life and even spot some of the wildlife that will be sure to benefit from all this hard work. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make this project possible.
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Forest insects are feeling the heat For many people, climate change has only become a regular topic of conversation in recent years. However, insect communities have been responding to the warming world for at least the last 30 years. For example, by the mid-1990s, we could see that jewel beetles, small species that need high spring temperatures, were increasing rapidly in numbers. In 1997, we made only the second observation in the UK of a tiny jewel beetle, less than
half a centimetre in length, which had just managed to cross The Channel of its own accord from trees in France. And nowadays, its bigger metallicgreen ‘cousin’, the oak jewel beetle, which lives on our ancient oak pollards, has gone from incredibly rare to dazzlingly common. And the harlequin ladybird beetle, another newcomer of the last 15 years, now often outnumbers all other ladybird species. But beetles, even shiny ones, can often be difficult to find. Much more obvious this spring, when you take a walk along one of the Forest’s pathways or through one of its sunny glades, will be the pollinating bees that will be flying around in the Forest, Amazing as it may seem, there is a bumblebee newcomer that only reached the UK in 2001, and the Forest itself in the last ten years, yet which is probably one of
the commonest insects you’ll come across at this time of year. The tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum, with its distinctive ginger shoulders and bright white tail is, as its name suggests, very well adapted to our Forest environment. Unlike other bumblebee species, which often nest on or below the ground, the tree bumblebee likes heights and especially hollow trees with woodpecker holes or other gaps in the bark. To see them feeding, have a look on blossoming willow trees or other flowers along the Forest edge. And keep looking, because the Forest insect fauna is changing – and changing fast. For further information about the Forest’s wildlife, please visit our website. Jeremy Dagley, Head of Conservation, Epping Forest Spring 2019 Forest Focus 11
Waltham Forest
London Borough of Culture 2019 This year, Waltham Forest is the first London Borough of Culture, a Mayor of London initiative. The celebrations commenced in January with ‘Welcome to the Forest’ which saw awe-inspiring projections on Waltham Forest Town Hall. One of the films took people on a journey through time, the Borough and into the future, and incorporated Epping Forest and the benefits it brings to London. The year ahead will shine a light on the character, diversity and cultures of the Borough of Waltham Forest showing culture is for everyone in a year-long celebration. Epping Forest has an amazing cultural past of its own, with a particular link with the world of literature. Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was first performed in the grounds of Copped Hall, poet John Clare was for many years an inmate at the Asylum in High Beach, and poet Alfred Lord Tennyson resided at High Beach from 1837–1840. War poet, Edward Thomas also lived in High Beach prior to departing for War in 1915. In addition Epping Forest has been referenced in many novels. In recent years Epping Forest has been 12 Forest Focus Spring 2019
the setting for a novel by Adam Foulds ‘The Quickening Maze’, the inspiration behind Will Ashon’s book ‘Strange Labyrinth’ and very recently the backdrop to Luke Turner’s new book ‘Out of the Woods’. Please stay in touch to find out more about Luke Tuner and Kirsteen McNish’s curated ‘The People’s Forest’, an Epping Forest inspired London Borough of Culture project’. William Morris, central to the cultural heritage of Walthamstow, was a regular visitor to Epping Forest and it is said that his passion for textiles came from a visit to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, where he had admired a room “hung with the faded greenery” of old tapestries. Of course, visual artists have taken inspiration from the ancient
woodland. Sir Jacob Epstein, who resided in Loughton, famously captured the character of the woodland in many paintings. Walter E. Spradbery captured different aspects of Epping Forest in his many interpretations for posters which were used by London Transport in the first half of the twentieth century, and one of these designs has been incorporated in the Gateway signs which you will find throughout Epping Forest. Many musicians have also found creativity within Epping Forest. There is a piece of folk music entitled ‘Epping Forest’ and in recent years Damon Albarn captured memories of the summer of 1976 spent in Epping Forest in his song ‘Hollow Ponds’. Epping Forest are delighted
Events Family fun: Chingford May Day Fayre Saturday 4 May Chingford Plain This will celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend, International Day of the Worker and the invention of the modern bicycle, the mode of transport, invented by Walthamstow born and raised John Kemp Starley, that helped democratise travel for the working classes. Thousands will form a procession on bicycles through the urban woodland to Chingford Plain. A mass celebration will then take place on Chingford Plain – a gathering of all those who have travelled on foot and bicycle across the borough.
individuals are invited to come together to contribute and engage in the preparations for a community party celebration. Can you help make this the largest mass participatory celebration in Waltham Forest’s London Borough of Culture? Join us to find out more and discuss ideas on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March. For further information on the Forest’s long history with cycling, see P15.
In the months leading up to Chingford May Day Fayre, artists, charities, networks, groups and
GIANT to have a new artist-in-residence, composer Ellie Wilson, who will be working on a project called ‘Echoes’, which will culminate in several compositions based on human interaction with Epping Forest. See page 4 for more information. As part of the year-long celebration, events held in amazing natural environments will bring communities together for truly enjoyable experiences. The open spaces within the Borough, such as Epping Forest, will give people a better understanding of the borough’s heritage and develop stronger community connections. As part of Epping Forest falls within the London Borough of Waltham Forest, a host of London Borough of Culture events and activities will be taking part across the Forest. Epping Forest is supporting Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture, working with the creative director. We are looking forward to an exciting year of events in Epping Forest.
Friday 18 – Saturday 19 October 7pm Barn Hoppit, Chingford The concert showcases the culmination of public workshops and a week-long rehearsal schedule. Enjoy a chorus of children singing to the grand giants of the Forest as they present a premiere of new poetry and music alongside works by Epping Forest poet John Clare and Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant.
There are many more exciting events planned which will take place in Epping Forest. To stay up to date and find out about more events as they are announced, please follow us on social media or visit our website.
To stay up to date with other London Borough of Culture events throughout Waltham Forest, visit: wfculture19.co.uk @COLEppingForest pping Forest E City of London coleppingforest Spring 2019 Forest Focus 13
#TreesNotTrash – Forest fights fly tipping Epping Forest Keeper team has recently been strengthened through the formation of an Epping Forest Criminal Investigation and Waste Management team. This new unit specialises in combatting byelaw infringement with particular emphasis on preventing and tracking down fly tippers.
The unit comprises two full-time posts with four part-time staff. All four officers are professional investigators. This increased capability allows the Forest to seek out and robustly tackle all forms of environmental crime through a campaign of prosecutions based on sound investigative work, leading to prosecutions and recovery of costs. There is always a story behind each fly tip, one of which is that householders have simply not checked with due diligence who is taking their rubbish away.
At some point we all have to dispose of rubbish but be aware that you are responsible for your waste. If someone else takes it away, be sure it won’t turn up in Epping Forest. It is your responsibility to ensure it will be legally disposed of. There are serious legal implications for you if your waste is found somewhere it shouldn’t be. Always check that anyone taking your waste has an Environment Agency Waste Carrier’s Licence. A waste carriers licence indicates that the carrier is registered to legally carry and dispose of rubbish. This includes
those that carry waste as a matter of course in their day to day trading, such as gardeners and builders. If you feel comfortable, take a photo of the licence and vehicle registration number. If you have any doubts, simply search for the business name via www. environment.data.gov.uk or contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 and ask for a waste carrier validation check. Pay by bank transfer or cheque rather than cash, it will assist in proving you have paid. If you see a fly tip, please report it to 020 8532 1010 but please do not disturb the fly tip as it may contain hazardous items or important evidence. Do not put yourself at risk by approaching those fly tipping. For further information, please visit our website or see the #TreesNotTrash campaign on social media. Please note All advice contained in this article is for general informational purposes only; it is not recommended as a comprehensive guide to your legal responsibilities as a waste producer. Please consult the Environment Agency or your local council in the first instance for up-to-date guidance. Offences of fly tipping are addressed under the Environment Protection Act 1990, in particular sections 33 and 34.
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The Woodford Meet – A cycling showcase Information Assistant Steve Denford takes a look at cycling in the Forest at a time when cyclists dressed significantly differently from today’s fashion.
If you enjoy cycling in and around Epping Forest, why not join in the London Borough of Culture bike ride on Saturday 4 May, see page 12 for further information.
Cycling in the Forest has been popular since at least the 1880s when the middle class and labouring men in regular employment took up the hobby in a big way. It was a healthy, cheap (after the initial outlay on the bike) and popular pastime for both sexes: women could cycle without a chaperone. There were huge numbers of cycle clubs and organised rides from the city to the Forest always featured in their programmes. The biggest local event in the cycling calendar was The Woodford Meet. It was an annual cycling parade started by the Essex Cycling Club in 1882 and continued (with a short break) until the First World War. Members of cycling clubs and single riders would meet at the Castle Inn at Woodford Green and parade through the area. It soon became very popular – one year over 2,000 cyclists from 48 cycling clubs took part. Meanwhile, volunteers collected money from the watching crowds which numbered in their thousands. The money was all donated to local hospitals.
From 1898 participants were encouraged to don fancy dress and prizes were awarded for the best dressed team and individuals. At dusk riders would hang Chinese lanterns to their handlebars – with the lights bobbing up and down it must have been quite a sight. In the 1980s Georgina Green recorded Harold Webster’s recollection of the Meet of 1912. His father was a member of the Old Chums Cycling Club, based at The Castle pub in Walthamstow. They entered the Meet with all sorts of strange costumes and scenes. The parade finished at High Beach where the judging took place – the Old Chums came second. The Woodford Meet was revived as a special event during the Millennium year.
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Frogspawn
Dawn chorus
Take time to potter around the water’s edge. The fascination of seeing the first frogspawn of spring never leaves us.
d e s s i d s n … u o s m d e n b a o t s Not t h g s pr ing si Make the effort, you won’t regret it. Get up before dawn and visit the Forest for an unforgettable experience as the dawn chorus gets into full swing.
Cuckoo These summer visitors are wellknown for the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. Their recent population decline makes this a Red List species so if you hear one in the Forest, please do let us know. 16 Forest Focus Spring 2019
Cattle update
Cowslips A sea of smiling cowslips is a heart lifting sight and can be enjoyed by the reservoir at Staples Road.
Bluebells See P18–19 where we reveal the Forest’s best bluebell site.
Swans Swans are particularly noticeable in spring as they defend their territories and establish their nests.
Epping Forest Stockman John Phillips presents the latest goings on amongst the Forest’s herd of English Longhorn cattle. The stacks of hay, silage and straw have melted away like a time-lapse through the long winter. Another successful calving season has seen 40 calves thrust into the social circle of the herd in their indoor winter housing. Much like toddlers they bound around in a world and at a pace of their own exploring anything they can touch with their nose or fit in their mouths. They are over three months old, and their stomachs are developing to digest grass alongside their liquid diet. The early born calves will have experienced grass already, but for the rest, spring offers a host of new sensations to feel the warmth and pressure of the soil underfoot, the smell and taste of spring grass flooding their senses. Everything is starting to wake up; the slow-moving cogs of spring pick up steam as the natural cycles breathe new life and growth into being. So be sure to stop and admire the cattle in the Forest this spring as they once again graze on some of the Forest’s most popular areas at Fairmead and Chingford Plain, amongst other sites. Do share your cattle images with us on social media. #EppingForest
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One of the most frequently asked questions by Forest visitors is ‘Where is the best place to see bluebells?’ So here we reveal what we think is possibly one of the Forest’s best bluebell sites…
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Start: Car park at the end of Warren Road Distance: 1.5 miles Time: 45 mins When: Bluebells flower between mid-April and late-May. To find out when they’re in flower, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest or follow us on twitter Parking: Warren Road Toilets: The Temple Terrain: A variety of surfaces including natural woodland trails and surfaced tracks. Mainly level.
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©HarperCollins/City of London
Wanstead Park was formerly part of the grand park and gardens which surrounded Wanstead House. The City of London acquired Wanstead Park and it became part of Epping Forest in 1882. Its many fine trees, attractive ponds and open grassland make it a great place to visit at any time of the year but particularly so in spring, when bluebells transform the Park. The intense blue carpet stretching out under the opening woodland canopy is one of Epping Forest’s greatest spectacles.
1. For a short while each spring, Chalet Wood becomes a sea of blue with native bluebells carpeting the woodland floor. The nodding, violet-blue blooms of these unmistakable spring flowers attract insects to their delicately scented blooms. 2. The Heronry Pond takes its name from the days when nesting herons made use of the trees near the water’s edge.
3. The rare acid grassland is sprinkled with ant hills – you may spot a green woodpecker landing on them, trying to find a favourite snack. 4. The Temple, a Grade II listed building, dates from the 1760s and is a survivor from the heyday of Wanstead Park. Today, displays at The Temple tell the story of the Park from Tudor pageantry – Queen Elizabeth I really did sleep at Wanstead – to its regency demise with the true and tragic tale of the wooing of Catherine Tylney Long and her rake of a husband.
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Spring events March
April
Family event: Brilliant Birds
Walk: Memories of Edwardian Times in Snaresbrook
Saturday 16 10am–1pm Suntrap Education Centre event.
Art exhibition: Bancrofts School
Saturday 16 March to Thursday 28 March The View Visitor Centre A collection of artwork from students and teachers Free. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.
Walk: Discovering Deer
Sunday 17 March 10am–1pm Lodge Road car park Booking required. Epping Forest Heritage Trust event.
London Borough of Culture events see P12–13
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Thursday 4 April 10.30am–12.30pm Snaresbrook car park Epping Forest Heritage Trust event.
Taster session: Prints of the Forest
Thursday 4 April 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Visitor Centre Join Claire Willberg, experienced Community Arts Lecturer, in developing and printing your own designs inspired by the Forest environment. Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+). No booking required. Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation.
Art exhibition: Essex Art Club
Sunday 7 April to Sunday 5 May The View Visitor Centre Essex Art Club return to The View exhibiting new works inspired by Epping Forest. Free. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.
Family Easter Discovery Activities
Thursday 18 April, drop in between 11am–2pm Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach Epping Forest Heritage Trust event.
Further information 020 7332 1911 cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforestevents Book Epping Forest events through Eventbrite www. eppingforest.eventbrite.com
May Taster session: A riot of green in watercolour
Friday 3 May 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Visitor Centre Explore the lush greens of the Forest in May with art lecturer, Nicola Morrison as the canopy teems with vibrant leaf growth. Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+). No booking required. Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation.
Taster session: Nature fashioned in a greetings card
Monday 20 May 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Visitor Centre Join Katherine Lewiston, an experienced fashion designer and art lecturer, in creating a greetings card in the shape of a ball gown. Hand paint and embellish your own card. Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+). No booking required. Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation.
Our Forest partners Epping Forest Heritage Trust www.efht.org.uk Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service www.walthamforest.gov.uk Suntrap Education Centre www.suntrapcentre.co.uk
Walk: Gateway to the Park
Sunday 19 May 10.30am–12.30pm Jubilee Pond car park Epping Forest Heritage Trust event.
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Go Further Cycling We provide cycle hire with top quality and well maintained bikes, at a great location. We also have a well stocked shop with bikes and a great range of clothing and accessories and also offer bike servicing and repairs.
020 8524 6626 www.gofurthercycling.co.uk info@gofurthercycling.co.uk
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Visit us The View Visitor Centre
The Temple
6 Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH Tel 020 7332 1911
Wanstead Park, E11 2LT Tel 020 7332 1911
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm Open Bank Holidays The View, with its displays and regularly changing exhibitions, is the perfect place to start your exploration of Epping Forest.
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH Tel 020 7332 1911 Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm* Open Bank Holidays The Hunting Lodge is a Grade II* listed building built for Henry VIII in 1543 and is an amazing survival of an intact Tudor hunt standing.
Please see website for opening times. The Temple, a Grade II listed building, dates from the 1760s and is a survival from the heyday of Wanstead Park.
Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach High Beach, IG10 4AF Tel 020 8508 0028 (during opening hours) Tel 020 7332 1911 (Monday to Wednesday) Open Thursday to Sunday April – October 10am–4pm. Snuggled in the heart of the Forest, the Centre is located adjacent to the High Beach easy access path. The Centre is run by Epping Forest Heritage Trust.
* Subject to closure for private hire or school visits. Please check website.
Contact us @COLEppingForest E pping Forest City of London coleppingforest
Epping Forest, The Warren, Loughton, Essex IG10 4RW Tel 020 8532 1010 (24hrs) Registered Charity 232 990