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Rutting Season
Rutting season is here!
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It is currently the deer rutting season – a time when they engage in fierce mating battles. Rutting activity is most intense after dawn and before dusk, though some activity occurs throughout the day. Male deer are much more aggressive and females are a lot more active during this season. Epping Forest has a large deer population and drivers on forest roads should be more cautious at this time of year. Walkers in the forest are also advised to be aware and keep dogs on leads or under control. Epping Forest’s deer population is made up of dark fallow deer – thought to have been introduced to the Forest from Scandinavia by King James I – and Muntjac, a small Asian deer introduced by the 11th Duke of Bedford to his Woburn estate at the turn of the century. Escapees successfully bred and can be found throughout the Epping Forest District. A Deer Sanctuary to the south west of Theydon Bois, provides safe grazing for a herd of just over 100 dark fallow deer. Deer numbers outside the sanctuary are monitored on an annual basis, and a number of ‘deer glades’ have been created within the forest to provide safe feeding areas. If you’re out and about in the forest during the rutting season it is wise to follow a few simple rules: If you have your dog with you, keep it on a lead and under close control Keep your distance! Do not approach any deer closer than 50m, and stay at least 100m from rutting deer Pay special attention to any signage and follow its advice If you find a deer advancing towards you or acting in a threatening manner, do not shout or wave at it. Back off slowly if possible. The deer may be satisfied that you have left its personal zone. Do not run, though, as this may trigger the animal into chasing you.
Wintry Wood Wonderers Winter Warm Ups
Having become tired of hearing the depressing news stories and the general gloom and doom in the air and as a result I thought and hoped there would be some interest for the proposed :A regular monthly walk/stroll in Wintry Wood including the City of London's buffer lands close by. They will not be of the fast ramble type, more of an amble. It is hoped that people will look on these as an opportunity to take part in an active and social stroll in what is a magical environment. I am aware that some females are apprehensive about being in the forest on their own and that some men too have said how they now feel uncomfortable walking on their own in the forest, everyone is welcome, whatever age, come with a friend or alone. It is a chance to get and keep warm with a walk, get social with a talk and take in the natural beauty around us. Wednesday 9th November - 11am Gate to be advised Wednesday 14th December - 11am Gate to be advised I do hope you too will be interested and want to join the WWWWWU!
Friends of Wintry Wood have a face book page - join to see photographs and comments on the magical place, and a contact email address friendsofwintrywood@outlook.com. Source: De Spence Essex County Council has launched a new £1.88 million programme to support digital connectivity and tackle digital exclusion. Working with key partners, Digital Essex will deliver the County Council’s Digital Strategy for Essex over the next four years, in line with the Everyone’s Essex agenda. Plans include the development of a local grant scheme to provide additional funding to reach the final 1% of rural addresses that still cannot access decent broadband. This investment is in addition to £14 million spent by Essex County Council on upgrading digital infrastructure across the county with its superfast broadband programme, which has so far boosted connections to 160,000 homes and businesses. Research shows that people who do not have the access, skills and confidence to use the internet are more likely to face inequalities than those who do. By making faster broadband and mobile internet connections available, Essex County Council is aiming to address inequalities, including employment prospects and poor mental and physical health. Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “This funding will help to ensure that no individual or business is excluded from digital opportunities due to lack of infrastructure, affordable access, equipment, or skills. “Enabling people to build the skills they need to be part of the business recovery is key to a stronger economy for the future.”
