Forest Focus Summer 2018

Summer 2018

Forest Focus The magazine for Epping Forest

Epping Forest’s hidden wildlife

Free

The Forest that Open Air Theatre season was saved Summer 2018 Forest Focus 1

Welcome Our beautiful front cover shows the essence of the Forest in full summer, with wildflowers and grasses nodding in the sultry heat of a woodland glade.

These long summer days provide many of us with a few extra hours each day to take time to do more of the things we enjoy. We all lead such busy lives that the Forest is becoming an increasingly important place to visit and slow down. Musician, Renell Shaw, talks about the importance of taking time out in Epping Forest both to keep fit and to seek creative inspiration. P18

From summer days to days gone by, we have a treat in store for those who enjoy images of bygone days in the Forest. Museum and Heritage Officer, Sophie Lillington, delves into the archives to share some of her favourite post cards of the Forest of yesteryear.

Post cards were once used much the same way as people today text to communicate with friends and family. P16–17 Some of the pupils from Woodgrange School get arty in their endeavours to help protect and promote the plight of ground nesting birds at Wanstead Flats. P13

8 6–7

130 years of the Royal Epping Forest Golf Club

The Forest that was saved

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Epping Forest’s hidden wildlife 2 Forest Focus Summer 2018

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Epping Forest is ‘In-between’ at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow

In this edition, we are also seeking readers’ opinions as to which places and activities should qualify for the Epping Forest Awards. The Awards, revealing a light-hearted celebration of the Forest’s ‘Top Ten’ as voted by you, will be featured in the autumn edition of Forest Focus. P14–15 @COLEppingForest Epping Forest City of London coleppingforest

10–11

Open Air Theatre

16–17

Wish you were here…

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Skylarks receive a helping hand

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Epping Forest for fitness, meditation and creative inspiration…

Summer 2018 Forest Focus 3

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.

See our website for a full list of sites, locations and facilities. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ greenspaces

Forest Focus is produced by the City of London Corporation.

Edited by Clare Eastwood Design by Steers McGillan Eves www.steersmcgillaneves.co.uk Print by Gemini Print Southern Ltd Photographers: Clare Eastwood, Pauls Studio, Yvette Woodhouse, David Woodfall The inclusion of advertising, logos or website links in this magazine do 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.

020 8532 1010

@COLEppingForest

epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Epping Forest City of London

4 Forest Focus Summer 2018

Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy

We were honoured to have Epping Forest officially dedicated to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) with HRH Prince Harry visiting Barn Hoppitt in Chingford and planting a tree in High Beach in March 2017. Epping Forest’s inclusion in the QCC was featured in a recent ITV documentary ‘Queen’s Green Planet’ which aired on 16 April 2018.

Epping Forest’s Head of Conservation, Dr Jeremy Dagley, introduced this ancient woodland and explained the important mosaic of habitats found in the Forest which make it such a special and internationally important site. To see the clip, visit www.cityoflondon. gov.uk/eppingforest

The Temple

Epping Forest, The Warren, Loughton, Essex IG10 4RW

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest

News in brief

coleppingforest

The Temple at Wanstead Park is currently closed for repairs. We hope to reopen it as soon as possible. Please check our website for updates, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest

Above: Forest canopy

Chinese lanterns We once again ask visitors not to release Chinese lanterns in or near Epping Forest. Not only are they the potential cause of Forest fires, they pose a huge risk to livestock and wildlife. The left-over wire frame from the lanterns can cause horrific injuries to all creatures.

Verderer Peter Adams MBE We were deeply saddened to receive news of Verderer Peter Adam’s death on 6 April 2018. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Peter’s family and friends at this time. We will be looking at the contribution that Peter made to Epping Forest, in a further issue of Forest Focus.

Fly tipping

Balloon releases

Please help us protect Epping Forest by reporting suspected fly tippers to The Warren on 020 532 1010. The City of London Corporation offers a £500 reward to people who can provide evidence which leads to a prosecution for fly tipping.

What goes up, must come down…Please think twice before releasing balloons at celebrations, they eventually fall to the ground, causing litter and hazards for wildlife.

The City of London Corporation cleans up an average of 600 fly tips and 300 tonnes of rubbish every year in Epping Forest at a cost of £250,000. This is money which could be spent on managing the Forest.

Volunteers spend over 7,000 hours a year collecting litter in Epping Forest, time that could otherwise be spent on conservation work.

No barbecues or fires allowed in Epping Forest With the hot weather comes the increased risk of Forest fires, please remember barbecues and fires are not allowed in any part of Epping Forest, for safety reasons.

Please help us protect this unique and important landscape by obeying these rules.

Epping Forest The Official Map This highly detailed map of Epping Forest makes certain you have the best information available to ensure that you know your Fairmead Bottom from your Cuckoo Pits! Whether a daily user or occasional visitor to wonderful Epping Forest, this is the ultimate map to use.

Scale 3.5 inches to 1 mile 5.5 centimetres to 1 kilometre Available from Forest Visitor Centres and good book shops. £4.95

Short walks in Epping Forest The ultimate guide to 20 short walks in Epping Forest and its Buffer Lands. This full colour, pocket sized guide is quite simply the best walking guide for this beguiling Forest.

With its deep ancient woodland, towering beeches, mosscovered dells and heather-clad heaths, Epping Forest is a landscape of surprising diversity.

There can be no better way of exploring Epping Forest than by foot. This richly illustrated book offers the opportunity to discover new routes and explore new places. If your heart is set on exploring more of beautiful Epping Forest, this is the book to get.

Available from the Forest Visitor Centres and good book shops. £6.99 Summer 2018 Forest Focus 5

THE FOREST THAT WAS SAVED 140 years of protection under the 1878 Epping Forest Act 6 Forest Focus Summer 2018

During the 140th Anniversary year of the Epping Forest Act, Jo Hurst, Epping Forest Business Manager, sheds some light on this pivotal Act and its relevance in the Forest today.

The rights and responsibilities of the City of London Corporation as Conservators of Epping Forest has been enshrined in law since Victorian times, as the Epping Forest Act (1878) “An Act for the Disafforestation of Epping Forest and the preservation and management of the uninclosed parts thereof as an Open Space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public; and for other purposes”. Although this Act has undergone a number of legal amendments in its history, the Act as a whole remained unchanged until a recent project sought permission for general updates and clarifications from Parliament. Now, 140 years after the original Act, the Open Spaces Bill (2018) has been granted Royal Assent and so has now become law.

By far, most of the original Act is unaffected by these changes. The City of London Corporation as Conservators shall still “at all times keep Epping Forest uninclosed and unbuilt on, as an open space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public” and they shall

not “sell, demise, or otherwise alienate any part of the Forest, or concur in any sale, demise, or other alienation thereof, or of any part thereof”; but the modern world has caught up with this wonderful Victorian legislation and some aspects were no longer fit for intended purpose, or applicable to the technology now surrounding us. The Victorian lawmakers had never seen a motor car, nor negotiated the routes of power cables through protected environments. Our Forest Keepers had, until now, had to rely on other legislation, or even other organisations to enforce against fly tippers for example, or remove a dumped vehicle from Forest Land. Strict limitations on who used our buildings and how, meant that these would remain empty, or even destroyed, rather than being used in new ways that could benefit the Forest and its visitors.

Our byelaws remain unchanged, as these are not part of the Act and are governed by entirely different processes. It is likely that we will look at how these too can be made fit for the modern era but it may be a shame to lose some of them as they make for charming reading (For example, ‘30. Dancing in such a manner… that it may be a nuisance to the public…’)

The Open Spaces Act 2018 is new legislation, affecting all City of London Open Spaces. It allows us as Conservators to uphold everything the original Act stood for, but hopefully allow the Act to be fit for purpose for another 140 years, or even more…

Left: ‘Save the Forest’ protest posters

Above: ‘Lopping boughs at midnight: an ancient custom in Epping Forest’, illustration from The Gardener’s Magazine, 1874 Summer 2018 Forest Focus 7

130 years of the Royal Epping Forest Golf Club

This year sees 130 years of golf played in Epping Forest.

In July 1888, 19 gentlemen, including the thenSuperintendent of Epping Forest, F.F. McKenzie, together with E.N Buxton, High Sheriff of Essex, met at the Royal Forest Hotel where it was agreed to form a golf club called Epping Forest Golf Club. F.F. McKenzie was the first Honorary Secretary of the newly formed club and became Club Captain in 1892.

The original course was laid down in 1888 as nine holes.

However, within a few months the demand to join the club was so great that the course was extended to 18 holes from a design by the first club professional, Willie Dunn. The Club’s first patron was HRH Arthur, Duke of Connaught, one of Queen Victoria’s sons.

In October 1888, Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to bestow the title “Royal” on the only golf club in Essex at the time.

In 1901, so popular was the sport that especially at weekends, the Club was unable to control those playing on the course without paying. Therefore, the City of London was approached to take over 8 Forest Focus Summer 2018

the running of the course. The clubhouse was moved in 1914 from the hotel to where it remains today, overlooking the 18th green.

The original course was mostly laid out on the other side of Bury Road, opposite to where it is today. It stretched from Hawkwood to Barn Hoppitt and Connaught Water. In the late 1950’s, the City of London moved the entire course to the west of Bury Road.

During the Second World War a prisoner of war camp was set up on the course together with an Ak-Ak Battery situated mostly on the part of the course which is now the first and second fairways. The Club’s billiard room was requisitioned for use by troops for a canteen and large trenches were dug across the course as part of the anti-invasion precautions.

The Club continues to play over the course it founded together with other clubs and the public. It is the only Royal club in Essex and one of the few in the world that play over a public run golf course. As well as social golf, the Club also hosts regular competitions and matches against other clubs. To contact the club, visit www.refgc.co.uk For information about Chingford Golf Course, please visit www.chingfordgolfcourse.co.uk

Epping Forest is

‘In-between’ at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow

Artist Rachel Lillie’s exhibition, ‘The In-between: An Ode to Epping Forest’, will be at the Vestry House Museum in Walthamstow until 2 September.

The artist’s work reveals ‘the history of Epping Forest and the hidden stories that have shaped its landscape. Based on walks through the Forest, Lillie’s drawings and hand carved ‘artefacts’ explore the space between knowing and unknowing, the past and the present, and image and artefact.’

There’s a great range of events over the summer at the William Morris Gallery and the Vestry House Museum: family afternoons, workshops, evening events and more.

Visit www.wmgallery.org.uk and www.vestryhousemuseum.org.uk

Evening talk: Epping Forest ‘thrown open’: People, Pollards and Place Thursday 14 June 7.30pm-9pm Vestry House Museum

It’s 140 years since the 1878 Epping Forest Act gave legal protection to East London’s ancient Epping Forest under the management of the City of London Corporation. Epping Forest’s Museum and Heritage Manager, Sophie Lillington weaves a tale or two about how the Forest was saved.

Insert: Tickets available through: www.eppingforest.eventbrite.com

Summer 2018 Forest Focus 9

10 Forest Focus Summer 2018

Open Air Theatre Make the most of the great British summer by enjoying Open Air Theatre in London’s largest open space, Epping Forest. In July and August, the grounds of The Temple, in Wanstead Park, will become the wonderful setting for a series of performances by acclaimed theatre group, Illyria.

Wanstead Park, which was acquired by the City of London Corporation and became part of Epping Forest in 1880, was once the grounds of the grand Wanstead House. In its heyday, the grounds of this famous House included two amphitheatres and elaborate gothic amusements were held in front of the Grotto and the fortifications. Indeed, Epping Forest has a strong heritage when it comes to theatre, with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream first performed at Copped Hall in 1594.

Proudly continuing this theatrical association, we are delighted to present the following Open Air Theatre at The Temple in Wanstead Park:

The Pirates of Penzance

by Gilbert and Sullivan Wednesday 18 July Gates open at 6pm, performance starts at 7pm

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle

So give the wicker basket a dust down, roll up a picnic blanket, put the bubbly in to chill and yes, pack a brolly (just in case the British weather lets us down) and get outside to enjoy some great entertainment in the stunning setting of Epping Forest.

For further information on Wanstead Park or for details of other exciting events in Epping Forest, please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforestevents or follow/ like Epping Forest on Twitter @COLEppingForest, Facebook Epping Forest City of London and Instagram coleppingforest.

Tickets & booking

£14.95 adult, £8.95 child (2-16) Family tickets are also available (£45 for two adults and two children).

To book visit www.eppingforest. eventbrite.com or please telephone 020 7332 1911.

Early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

by Hugh Lofting Sunday 12 August Gates open at 1pm, performance starts at 2pm Summer 2018 Forest Focus 11

Epping Forest’s

hidden wildlife There are many different species of mammal found in Epping Forest, some are more obvious than others The sighting of a fox, deer or squirrel is common on many a Forest walk. However, there are some less well-known small mammals that frequent Epping Forest. Often their presence is only detected through their tracks, trails and feeding evidence rather than a sighting.

Dormouse The dormouse is a nocturnal species that can be easily overlooked. The ideal habitat for dormice is secondary woodland, species rich hedgerows and scrub.

If you see any signs of these charming mammals, we would be interested to know, please report to 020 8532 1010 / epping.forest@ cityoflondon.gov.uk

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Stoat The stoat is a small but feisty predator with a long, low-slung figure, well adapted to hunting rats and rabbits in confined spaces.

Stoats are active both day and night and easiest to spot in open areas like Fairmead, Fernhills and The Stubbles where rabbits are common. The stoat is larger than its close relative, the weasel, but as one usually only gets a glimpse of these fast-moving carnivores, the identifying black tip to the stoat’s tail is the thing to look out for. Usually it is the screech from its prey that alerts one to their presence.

Bats Keep an eye out at dusk for the silhouette of bats as they hunt for insects. Out of the total 18 bat species that are found in Britain, ten have been recorded in Epping Forest: soprano, nathusius and common pipistrelles, noctule, serotine, barbastelle, Daubenton’s, brown long-eared, natterer’s and Leisler’s. The Forest’s ancient trees provide nooks and crannies for nesting as well as supporting the insect species that some of these bats thrive on.

Mole It is very rare to actually see a mole but signs of their presence are quite obvious with their unmistakable mole hills that stand out in open grassy areas but are less easy to spot in woodland.

Weasel The weasel has the same long pliable physique of the stoat but in a smaller package. Despite its small size, it retains its mustelid family (which includes badger, mink, otter, polecat, pine marten and stoat) trait of being brave and active. Weasels mainly eat mice, voles and shrews but will tackle any other prey that they can master. They are widespread in the Forest, being seen wherever their prey might be found, including grassland, hedgerows and woodland.

Skylarks receive a helping hand Temporary notices have been placed around Wanstead Flats to raise awareness of ground nesting birds in the area.

Some of the posters include charming artwork produced by pupils from Woodgrange Infant School. The children visited Wanstead Flats last summer to learn about the important acid grassland habitat and the skylarks that it supports.

Pupils spent time on Wanstead Flats listening for skylarks and spotting grassland wildflowers, such as heath bedstraw and common vetch. A discussion took place about the importance of keeping disturbance to a minimum during the nesting season, hence the posters asking visitors to keep to the paths and for dogs to be kept on a lead at this important time when the birds are so vulnerable.

This year, the school will be visiting Wanstead Flats again to seek inspiration for some more artwork based on the skylarks and the wildflowers found there.

We ask people using Wanstead Flats to please take notice of the messages to stay on paths and keep dogs on leads at this time.

Changes to Epping Forest Verderers Richard Morris OBE has recently retired from his post as Verderer for the north of Epping Forest.

Richard, who is a Loughton resident, with a great passion for local history, commenced as Verderer in 1998. During his time as Verderer, Richard published several local history books on the Forest. We would like to thank Richard for his time and commitment serving as Verderer for Epping Forest and wish him well for his future ventures.

Following the departure of Richard Morris, Melissa Murphy has recently been appointed as a new Verderer for the north of Epping Forest.

An introduction to Verderer Melissa Murphy will be included in the next edition of Forest Focus.

Summer 2018 Forest Focus 13

Epping Forest’s

Have your say Complete our online survey for a chance to win a family ticket to our Open Air Theatre or one of five runner up prizes of a copy of Short Walks in Epping Forest We would love to know our readers’ favourite places to go, things to do and where you like best in Epping Forest. Join in our survey to found out what are the top ten favourites.

Prize Draw

Complete our online survey to be entered into a draw to win one family ticket to one of the Forest’s wonderful Open Air Theatre productions (two adults and two children) P10–11. There are five runner-up prizes of the new book, Short Walks in Epping Forest to be won too. To say ‘thank you’ for taking the time to participate in this fun survey, you will receive a voucher to receive 25% off selected items at The View, Epping Forest’s flagship Visitor Centre in Chingford. Please complete the survey by 10 July to be in with chance of winning Illyria tickets with deadline of 1 Sept for the runner up prize of books. www.surveymonkey.com/r/ eppingforestawards

14 Forest Focus Summer 2018

Wish you were here...

Edwardian postcards of Epping Forest Dear Mrs Golds joyed myself … Although I en ent out in the yesterday we w e called country to a plac die and myself. Gla Chingford. Jim just e me and Jim ar and Flossie and a ve ad Park to ha going to Wanste ite e grass … It is qu lay down on th love all, hot here … with Liz zie Wall

Our Edwardian great-great-greatgrandparents adored postcards.

People enthusiastically collected them, sent them to friends with sweet and loving messages, and used them in much the same way as people text today.

The craze was fuelled by the introduction of a half penny stamp for cards and the popularisation of photography and cheap printing.

An extraordinary number of different postcards of Epping Forest were on offer in the first decade or so of the 20th century. These provide an amazing resource, both of photographs of the Forest and a very appealing sort of ‘visitor book’ comment resource of how people thought about the Forest and spoke about it to friends. Although only a small number of the written messages comment on people’s Forest experiences, those that survive are a treasure house of moments in ordinary lives over a hundred years’ ago.

We have a collection containing quite a few postcards and more are now catalogued in the Epping Forest archive at London Metropolitan Archive.

Here are some of our favourites.

Sophie Lillington Museum and Heritage Manager

16 Forest Focus Summer 2018

nd m a ar Gra My de ow d to kn time. la g e b ill nice You w ving a ll. a h m e that I a ou are as w y e p o Ih ve uch lo With m hleen at from K

124 Grove Road, 17 A pril 1905 Dear Ada , I am feelin gh not yet pre eaps better, but am sentable.

What perf weather w ect e have ha d for the holidays. I expect yo u have be enjoying it en . I am sure we have millions vis iting the F orest the la day or two st .

Best love fr om all, Mabel

Todd, Dear Miss u well. Is will find yo armouth] is th e p o h I at Y [near Gre ctive Gorleston and attra ly e v lo s a g nyone still lookin know of a u o y o D laces as ever. change p to e lik ld u who wo irl. st Gate g with a Fore from an With love riter. anxious W

Dear M

r Geety , I hope you ar ri ved ho We all h me q op I must te e you are fee uite safe. ling bet ll ter. no bette you that Aunt Jennie r in fact is old Ber a little wo t is not rse. P ver y we 25 teet ll. He ha oor h out a s nd it ha queer. s m ad e h ad him Good lu c love fro k with fondest m all.

From A nnie

Epping Forest for fitness, meditation and creative inspiration…

Renell Shaw is a songwriter, musician and vocal producer who lives locally to Epping Forest. Renell has collaborated, recorded and toured alongside artists such as Rudimental, Maverick Sabre, Speech Debelle and Jess Glynne to name a few.

Having come across an Instagram post of Renell training by the water, Epping Forest’s Communications Officer made contact and subsequently met with the artist at one of his favourite woodland destinations, Hollow Pond, to find out how he uses the Forest for mental, physical and creative well being.

Renell explained how the Forest is a calming place to be before beginning a day in the music industry: “Professionally, as a songwriter and musician, my work usually involves a lot of creative people operating in the same space. This is usually quite exciting but can sometimes become a bit overwhelming; because of this I like to get up early and find an outdoor area where I can gather my thoughts and mentally prepare for the day ahead. I start most of my days with a run along the outskirts of the Forest, this allows me to meditate and reflect on the day before.

I notice that when I don’t make the time to mentally prepare for a full day of music, I don’t always operate at my maximum potential. I love to listen to the sounds and rhythms of the Forest when I’m running, I love how they change with the seasons.

It’s a gentle reminder of what you can miss when you spend too much time talking and not enough time listening.

Renell uses the Forest to practice martial arts, he studies Tai Chi and Opera House Wing Chun: “When I’m able to tune into the 18 Forest Focus Summer 2018

environment around me, I feel balanced, Epping Forest has a really good vibe about it and that’s why I like to come here to train. I’m not a fan of gyms, especially running on a treadmill, I relate running on a treadmill to living the type of life where you’re moving but going nowhere; I’m not that type of person, having a destination allows me to enjoy the journey.

Having access to tranquil surroundings is important to Renell: “I feel that our environment has a massive impact on how we grow and develop. In the city where there are a lot of conflicting energies, we tend to get thrown out of balance by others and ourselves; many of us don’t know how to correct the imbalance. Nature is a great teacher, it seems to naturally be in harmony with itself, if more people could learn that skill, we’d be living in a very different world right now.

Renell tours the world regularly, sometimes for long periods of time and explained that when he’s home it’s nice to know that he has a place like Epping Forest on his doorstep.

“London is a special place, especially the vibe of East London, I’ve been here since I was a teenager and I love it. I’m pleased to see natural areas like Epping Forest are being preserved and are accessible to the public.“ For more information on Renell Shaw’s work visit www.renellshaw.com Follow Renell on Instagram Renell Shaw Follow Epping Forest Instagram coleppingforest

No time to see, when woods we pass…

We all lead such busy lives, rushing from one thing to the next. Even in the Forest, many of us are rushing around: to get the dog out quickly or go for a quick run.

Why not try taking time to be still, absorb the Forest’s surroundings, close one’s eyes and listen? Stop to feel the earth beneath your feet, lean against a tree and sense its ‘heartbeat’.

Breathe in the earthy, mushroomy smell of the Forest. Stopping to watch and feel part of nature helps imbue a sense a tranquillity and does wonders for the soul.

W H Davies’ poem ‘Leisure’ was published in 1911 when it was felt that ‘the hectic pace of life has a detrimental effect on the human spirit’.

This poem is just as applicable today, and perhaps even more so in our ever increasingly fast-paced lives.

So next time you visit Epping Forest, take time to ‘stand and stare’.

Leisure What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this is if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies

Summer events May

June

London History Day trail: The 1870s ‘Passion for preservation’ and how it saved Epping Forest

Exhibition: On the Forest edge by Carol Foulger and Katherine Poluck

Thursday 31 May 11am–4.30pm The View and Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge A self-guided indoor trail with something for all ages. Find out about the stories of how people (and cows) united and fought for the survival of Epping Forest through art activities, archives, Victorian hats and games. Drop in any time across the day to get hands on about how the Forest was saved.

Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Wanstead Park live music

Sunday 20 May The Temple enclosure Friends of Wanstead Parklands event

Sunday 3 June – Sunday 1 July 10am–5pm (Excluding Mondays) The View The flora and fauna that inhabit Epping Forest, captured in watercolour, printmaking, pen and ink. Free. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.

Taster session: Nature’s flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today

Thursday 7 June 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Joan Payne, an experienced florist, will demonstrate how to create an arrangement using natural materials found on the Forest floor and some greenery.

If you’d like to add some colour to your display, bring along a small bunch of your favourite flowers too. Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+).

No booking required. Waltham Forest Adult Education Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

Evening talk: Epping Forest ‘thrown open’: People, Pollards and Place Thursday 14 June 7.30pm–9pm Vestry House Museum See P9

Exhibition: 130 years– Royal Epping Forest Golf Club and the Chingford Golf Course

Saturday 16 June to Sunday 15 July (excluding Mondays) The View Chingford Golf Course is home to the Royal Epping Forest Golf Club, Chingford Golf Club and Chingford Ladies Golf Club as well as open for public play. This exhibition brings together archive material from 130 years of golf on this historic course.

Free event. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.

Wanstead Park live music

Sunday 17 June The Temple enclosure Repeat of Sunday 20 May event

Our Forest partners Friends of Wanstead Parklands www.wansteadpark.org.uk Music in Wanstead Park www.musicinwansteadpark. co.uk – musicinwansteadpark @gmail.com Vestry House Museum www.vestryhouse museum.org.uk Waltham Forest Adult Education Service www.walthamforest.gov.uk William Morris Gallery www.wmgallery.org.uk

Further information 020 7332 1911 cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforestevents Book Epping Forest events through Eventbrite www.eppingforest. eventbrite.com

July Exhibition: Summer art show 2018

Sunday 8 July – Sunday 2 September 10am–5pm (excluding Mondays) The View Annual summer art show featuring local artists inspired

by Epping Forest. Free. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.

Taster session: Make a vintage inspired headband using millinery ribbon and veiling

Friday 13 July 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Melanie Lewiston, a talented milliner, will help you make a vintage inspired headband using millinery ribbon and veiling using traditional techniques. Create your own unique headband inspired by patterns and shapes found in Epping Forest and the natural world. Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+). No booking required. Waltham Forest Adult Education Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation event.

Music in Wanstead Park

Saturday 14 July 2pm–9.30pm The Temple enclosure Music in Wanstead Park is back for an 18th year with live music, art and craft stalls, amazing food and drinks and children’s entertainment. Adults £12, children £6, concessions (students, 65+) £10 and family (2 adults 2 children) £34 www. musicinwansteadpark.co.uk

Open Air Theatre: The Pirates of Penzance

Wednesday 18 July Performance starts at 7pm, gates open at 6pm Wanstead Park See P10-11 Booking required 020 7332 1911 eppingforest.eventbrite.com City of London Corporation event.

Exhibition: The Forest that was saved: 140 years of protection under the 1878 Epping Forest Act Saturday 21 July to Sunday 30 September 10am–5pm (excluding Mondays) Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and The View What did Epping Forest look like in the 1870s when it was saved from destruction? To mark 140 years of Epping Forest as a protected public space, this exhibition will reprint more than 40 historic photographs of the Forest and adjoining villages commissioned to celebrate the crucial legal judgement of 1874 that saved the Forest. Free.

No booking required. City of London Corporation event.

Family event: The Forest that was saved –140 years of summer holiday family fun

Saturday 21 July to Sunday 30 September 2018 10am–5pm Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and The View Drop in this summer for self-led art and activity tables and trails linked to our exhibition about how the Forest was saved.

Victorian hats to try on, historic games and drawing activities to take you back to the Epping Forest of your great-great-great grandparents. Free. No booking required. City of London Corporation event.

August Open Air Theatre: The adventures of Doctor Dolittle

Sunday 12 August Performance starts at 2pm, gates open at 1pm Wanstead Park See P10-11 Booking required 020 7332 1911 eppingforest.eventbrite.com City of London Corporation event.

Summer 2018 Forest Focus 21

Weddings in Epping Forest Did you know that your favourite ancient woodland can now be the perfect venue for your wedding, or indeed any other special occasion?

The stunning surrounds of Epping Forest can be the backdrop to your special day, with a ceremony in the historic Grade II* listed building, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge. We can also now offer a luxurious marquee in the courtyard at The View to host a large reception following the ceremony itself.

You can feel good about booking your special event with us too, with all profits made from the hire of the venue going directly into conserving and caring for this internationally important open space.

For more information please visit www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforestweddings or telephone 020 8532 1010 to request a brochure.

Pop Epping Forest in your pocket!

If you can’t always be in the Forest but don’t want to miss the special moments of the changing seasons, follow #EppingForest on Instagram, and take the Forest with you @coleppingforest.

You can also follow Epping Forest on Twitter @CoLEppingForest and Facebook too, City of London Epping Forest.

Please use #EppingForest when you are posting on social media about London’s largest open space, as we love to see how visitors are enjoying their time in Epping Forest.

22 Forest Focus Summer 2018

CARE VISITS AT HOME We care passionately

What we offer We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits. In fact everything you need to stay in the comfort of your own home.

Alternative Bluebird Care offers a realistic cost effective alternative to residential care. With familiar friends, relatives and possessions around, Bluebird Care “just happens”.

Our staff Our staff are caring, trained to give medication and police checked.

Contact your local office and talk to one of our friendly professional team Essex West Tel: 01277 230763

Redbridge Tel: 0208 989 8444

Epping and Harlow Tel: 01992 577776

Mid Essex Tel: 01245 263962

New North House, 78 Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9BB

137 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1AN

Bassett Business Unit 18, Hurricane Way, North Weald, Epping, Essex. CM16 6AA

Widford House, 5-7 Robjohns Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 3AG

Email: essexwest@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Email: redbridge@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Email: eppingandharlow@bluebird Email: essexwest@bluebirdcare.co.uk care.co.uk

Email: midessex@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Regulated by the Care Quality Commission and member of UKHCA

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk

UKHCA

UNITED KINGDOM

HOME CARE ASSOCIATION

Summer 2018 Forest Focus 23

Contact us The View

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 (except Christmas Day) 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 (except Christmas Day) 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. *Subject to bookings, please telephone for details.

The Temple is currently closed for repairs. We hope to reopen it as soon as possible. Please check our website for updates, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest 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 4AE Tel 020 8508 0028 (during opening hours) Tel 020 7332 1911 (Monday to Wednesday) Open Thursday to Sunday plus bank holidays 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 the Friends of Epping Forest. @COLEppingForest

Registered Charity 232 990 The Warren Loughton, Essex IG10 4RW Tel 020 8532 1010 (24hrs)

pping Forest City E of London c oleppingforest