Forest Focus Autumn 2018

Autumn 2018

Forest Focus The magazine for Epping Forest

Forest Fungi

Autumn events

Free

Epping Forest – nature’s playground Summer 2018 Forest Focus 1

Welcome Now more than any other time of year, I find great joy in getting out and exploring the Forest.

Throughout the autumn, Epping Forest changes daily, from misty mornings with rides bedecked with glistening cobwebs to the seemingly magical appearance of bizarre and sometimes wonderfully named fungi such as witches’ butter, chicken of the woods and shaggy ink cap. The explosion of colour sets the Forest’s canopy aflame, luring many of us to head for the woods, where a visit is often rewarded by hearing the bellowing of rutting fallow bucks resonating through the trees and the earthy, visceral smell of autumn hanging heavily all around.

As well as being a great time to visit the Forest, there are some excellent events running over the autumn months. Why not try your hand at making an Epping Forest inspired clay tile, take part in one of our fascinating Open House Weekend events or drop in to see our poignant exhibition marking the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War. P20–22 To help you enjoy your autumn visit to Epping Forest, we highlight some of the amazing fungi to look and sniff out. P6–7

8 4–5

Forest landmark at the Royal Academy

Last of the summer grazing

6–7

Forest fungi 2 Forest Focus Summer 2018

14–15

Epping Forest – nature’s playground

Enjoy this wonderful time of year and do share your photos with us via Social media @COLEppingForest Epping Forest City of London coleppingforest

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Singing in the Wilderness

9

Peter Adams

20–22

Autumn events

Summer 2018 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.

Forest Focus is produced

by The City of London Corporation.

See our website for a full list of sites, locations and facilities.

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.

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ greenspaces

Edited by Clare Eastwood Design by Steers McGillan Eves www.steersmcgillaneves.co.uk Print by Gemini Print Southern Ltd Photographers: Judy Adams, Hamish Burnett, Clare Eastwood, Alan Woodgate, Yvette Woodhouse

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

coleppingforest

Cattle update As the landscape steers towards the slowdown of autumn, the cattle begin to spread out from the herd mindset. Each animal is on its own personal quest searching through the flora looking for its favourite munch. The tufts of coarse grass and dead plant matter around the cows’ feet share the landscape with insects, ready for slumber over the changing season.

The year has been mixed with a wet start and a prolonged dry period. Flowering species have had a successful year, from seas of ragged robin at Trueloves and oxeye daisy at Fernhills to lousewort spreading on Almshouse Plain.

The cattle will stay out on the Forest and heathlands while the ground is firm enough to support their weight. The over-wintering yards are built up and freshly bedded in anticipation of the arrival of their over-wintering guests.

Grass fed native beef from the Forest herd can be purchased in boxes. For more info contact: eppingforestbeef@cityoflondon. gov.uk

Above: Last of the summer grazing

Epping Forest Consultative Committee After an extensive advertising campaign last summer, representatives of 16 local groups who use Epping Forest have been brought together to establish a formal committee. The Epping Forest Consultative Committee will meet to discuss and debate management and policy issues relating to the ancient woodland.

The City of London Corporation already has a number of longstanding arrangements under which the views of local people are sought on Epping Forest policy.

Under the Epping Forest Act 1878, four Epping Forest Verderers are elected locally to sit on the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee.

Representatives on the new Consultative Committee have been drawn from groups across the community with a specific interest in the heritage, recreation and conservation of the Forest. All meetings are open to the public.

There has been extensive public consultation on management plans and other subjects and the City of London Corporation meets regularly with publicly elected councillors from the neighbouring boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest and from Epping Forest District Council.

The Committee has now met twice in its consultative role of providing views which are fed back to the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, which makes decisions about Epping Forest policy.

If you want to hear more about the management of the Forest, subscribe to our electronic version of Forest Focus. We also regularly update our website with news of works to be undertaken or current consultations. www.cityoflondon. gov.uk/eppingforest

Zero tolerance for fly tippers Recently, Epping Forest successfully prosecuted Mr Anto Shanthakumar of Enfield under Section 33 (1) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act of 1990. Mr Shanthakumar was found guilty of depositing waste on Epping Forest land at Wake Valley car park and was fined £500 and ordered to pay £562 compensation as well as £1,500 towards costs.

Investigations are currently underway on numerous other fly tips in Epping Forest.

Sir William Addison blue plaque unveiled A blue plaque commemorating Sir William Addison, former Verderer of Epping Forest, local historian, author and magistrate, has been unveiled on the side of an apartment block built on the site of Epping Magistrates Court.

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Forest Fungi The Forest has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation partly because of the vast diversity of fungi found here.

Amethyst Deceiver Laccaria amethystea This magical looking, deep violet mushroom grows in scattered groups throughout the Forest.

6 Forest Focus Autumn 2018

Fungi are some of the most ecologically important, mysterious and fascinating groups of organisms in Epping Forest, and a wide range of fungi appear here in all shapes, sizes and colours with autumn being the best time of year to see them.

The presence of the fruiting body of fungi belies the fungi’s complex, hidden biodiversity that is the foundation for the health of the Forest. Fungi are its life-blood.

They are its supply pipelines, waste disposal system and food distributors. As well as providing trees with nutrients and energy supplies, fungi, by rotting dead wood, also provide food for a huge range of invertebrates.

Candle snuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) The candlesnuff fungus, also known as stag’s horn, has an upright, simple or forked fruiting body with a downy stalk. It grows in clusters on dead and rotting wood and can be found on stumps and branches of all sorts of trees.

Fungi can be put into three groups distinguished by how they feed.

Symbiotic or mycorrhizal fungi live in association with many vascular plants’ root systems and a beneficial exchange takes place between the two, Saprophytic fungi live on dead organic matter.

Parasitic fungi live off or at the expense of their live host plant.

With over 1600 species of fungi reported in Epping Forest, fungi can be notoriously difficult to identify without the help of an expert, so here we highlight a few of the easiest to identify Forest fungi.

Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) With its distinctive sulphuryellow colour, the chicken of the woods is an easy to spot bracket fungus.

It grows high up on the trunks of standing deciduous trees, such as oak.

Common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) This species is also known as gem-studded puffball, warted puffball or the devil’s snuff-box. When mature, the spores escape through a hole in the top of the fungi.

Fungi picking is not allowed in Epping Forest. Please help us to protect the Forest by contacting us straight away if you see anyone picking fungi.

Telephone 020 8532 1010.

Fairy ring – A fairy ring gives even adults the urge to jump in the middle and make a wish. Fairy rings are most prominent on short grassland areas.

Fly agaric (Amanica muscaria) With its brilliant scarlet or orange cap and sprinkling of white, warty spots, fly agaric is probably the Forest’s most familiar toadstool. It is often found growing near to birch trees.

King Alfred’s cakes (Daldinia concentrica) Commonly found on ash and beech, King Alfred’s cakes, also known as cramp balls, with its black, rounded fruiting body, usually grows in groups.

Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) You will almost certainly smell this unmistakable fungus before you see it by its sickly, rotting-flesh odour. The phallus shaped stinkhorn relies on attracting flies and other insects to transport its spores.

Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 7

Forest landmark at the Royal Academy The Royal Academy’s 250th Summer Exhibition 2018 included a painting of a well-known Forest face and landmark by artist, Martin Barrall.

Martin studied Art in London from 1971 to 1974 and after initially working as a graphic designer, gained a Master’s degree from Middlesex University in 1996 and he has continued to work on and develop his style ever since. His paintings are generally on the large side, usually on canvas in acrylics, which he finds to be a great medium for his painterly style.

He has painted many different subjects and themes, from country landscapes or Formula 1, through to city scenes. More recently, Martin has based his paintings around Epping Forest.

The work that was exhibited in this year’s Summer Exhibition is a portrait of a happy young man who works hard almost every day of the year in his tea hut in Epping Forest, serving a diverse range of people throughout the four seasons.

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The Original Tea Hut is one of several small oases in Epping Forest where walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders, dog walkers, motorcyclists, ramblers and other Forest visitors can pause for a break.

This is one of a series of paintings from that hut, car park and surrounding area. Although the painting is for sale, Martin always produces 50 limited edition prints of each painting.

To see more or Martin’s work, visit: martinbarrall.com www.royalacademy.org.uk

Peter Adams MBE We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Epping Forest’s Verderer for the south of the Forest, Peter Adams, on 6 April 2018.

Alongside his role as Verderer, Peter Adams was involved with Epping Forest in so many ways.

Peter was born in Stanmore on 12 May 1947 but moved to the Epping Forest area aged 3, to Leyton and then to Woodford. Every Sunday he enjoyed walking in the Forest with his parents and brothers.

Peter excelled at cross country running, winning the county championships, and later became a member of Woodford Green Athletic Club, undertaking training regularly within Epping Forest.

From an early age he took a great interest in natural history and, through the RSPCA, took on rescued or injured foxes. This experience gave him the opportunity to study the behaviour of these animals in some depth.

This furthered Peter Adams’ interest in animal behaviour and he went on to achieve a BSc in Psychology.

He then commenced employment with the London Borough of Newham where he worked for much of his career.

Alongside his career, Peter took part in lots of parttime lecturing and educational activities in the Forest, teaching evening classes in natural history, running adult Forest discovery courses at Debden House and undertaking survey work as well as teaching for the Field Studies Centre in High Beach. Through these activities he met Judith and they were married in 1979.

Judith Adams is the Chair of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust and together their contribution to and passion for Epping Forest has been remarkable.

Peter Adams was a Green Team volunteer leader for the Epping Forest Centenary Trust for the last five years leading the team on a weekly basis carrying out ‘light touch’ conservation work, using hand tools where appropriate.

In addition, Peter was a regular Volunteer Information Assistant (as well as Handyman and Gardener!) at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach.

Peter Adams commenced as a Verderer for Epping Forest in 1997. In 2015 he was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to the conservation of flora and fauna in South West Essex / East London.

Peter’s involvement with wildlife, his training in Epping Forest as well as his personal exploration of the ancient woodland and the conservation activities he undertook, nurtured his passion for wildlife and Epping Forest, which continued to grow throughout his life.

We are extremely grateful to Verderer Adams for his immensely valuable involvement with many aspects of Epping Forest life and he will be greatly missed by the Epping Forest and Commons Committee as well as the Epping Forest team of staff and volunteers. We offer our deepest condolences to Judith Adams and Peter’s family and friends.

In addition to his work with Epping Forest Peter Adams was a committed volunteer elsewhere in the local area.

He was Trustee of the Gunpowder Mills and Lopping Hall and was an Independent Person with the Epping Forest District Council; all experience that gave him an immense knowledge and understanding of the local area, its history and landscapes.

Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 9

Epping à la Mud and The State Visit of the Lord Mayor 14 October 1875

As The Pictorial World reported on 23 October 1875, ‘The preservation of the beautiful Forest of Epping by the timely action of the Corporation of London’ is a ‘matter for public rejoicing.’ Three years later, the Epping Forest Act of 1878 – 140 years ago – confirmed the Forest’s protection under the City of London as Conservators.

The story of how the Forest was saved is a complex one.

A ‘Report of the Forest Fund’ dates the action from 1871 when a public meeting was called by Sir Antonio Brady on 8 July to protest against illegal enclosures on Wanstead Flats. From this was established the Epping Forest Fund ‘originated by the Freeholders within the Forest, to promote the preservation of the Forest for the people’; but concern that the Forest could be lost forever was voiced from at least the 1850s when the destruction of nearby Hainault Forest in 1851 gave a visceral jolt to the consciences and nostalgic reminiscence of the mid-Victorian great, good and ordinary.

The tapestry of the Forest’s saving weaves together the Loughton Loppers and the Willingale family, the crowds of ordinary people who attended protests and later took direct action against illegal fences; MPs, lawyers, philanthropists, the Commons Preservation Society, Forest Verderers and the Master of the Rolls who found in favour of the City of London in a key legal case in the Court of Chancery in 1874. But this account, at the tail end of the 140 year anniversary of the 1878 Epping Forest Act, focuses on one key moment of celebration in the Forest itself.

On 14 October 1875, 149 carriages conveyed the Lord Mayor of London, David Henry Stone and hundreds of guests and dignitaries of the City of London Corporation through the Forest to a ‘Déjeûner’ at Fairmead Lodge. This was described at the time as a ‘State Visit’ and must have been an amazing visual spectacle for bystanders as well as participants. The organisation of the event, from the commissioning of a special train to carry guests from Liverpool Street to

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Top left: invitation Bottom left: menu Left and below: The Pictorial World extract 1875

Snaresbrook, the co-ordination of horses, carriages, marquees and a full-on Victorian banquet appears to have been impeccable, but as with many a grand affair, the weather was against them. It rained, and it rained torrentially. The engravings from the illustrated press (the text is more respectful) include vignettes of a carriage stuck in the mud, a sea of umbrellas, the trip hazard of top-hatted men falling over the guy ropes of the Fairmead marquee and a scuffle or two originating from a crowd of uniformed ‘Asylum Boys’ from Snaresbrook.

We hope today that all our visitors, whatever the weather, and particularly when enjoying their picnics around Fairmead, will raise a sandwich to the saving of the Forest and its celebration on that wet October day in 1875.

Sophie Lillington Museum and Heritage Manager

But, as we have all experienced, any grand event can be saved by its food, and the menu was impressive. The menu card, designed to match a beautifully illustrated invitation, lists the delights enjoyed by those hundreds of damp gentlemen and ladies sheltering in their marquee. The main course offered a wide range of roast meats and delicacies from roast beef, partridge and pheasant to lobster salad and sole in aspic. The puddings included jellies and pastries followed by ice cream and fresh fruit. Those dishes despite their grand French names might be familiar to us today.

It’s worth noting that the City of London spent, as reported in ‘The Final Award, 24 July 1882’, ‘a grand expenditure for preserving these 5531 acres of £256,275’.

This included the cost of buying land, legal costs, compensation for lopping rights, gravel digging, £8000 to Earl Cowley ‘for equality of exchange’ for Wanstead Park and even £2951 for the cost of ‘shorthand notes and printing’. Today, the ‘charitable activity’ – Epping Forest is a registered charity – of managing the Forest costs around £6.4 million pounds a year, the vast amount of which is provided by the City of London.

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Epping Forest as

Strange Labyrinth An exploration into London’s largest open space by author, Will Ashon In 2017, Will Ashon, a former music journalist and founder of the record label Big Dada Recordings and established author, published the book ‘Strange Labyrinth: outlaws, poets, mystics, murderers and a coward in London’s Great Forest’. The fascinating book takes a unique view of aspects of Epping Forest life and the lives of some of the characters who have been connected to this distinctive landscape.

Epping Forest’s Communications Officer was delighted to have the opportunity to meet up with Will to discuss his interest in the historic woodland.

Will has lived in Walthamstow for 18 years and loves the freedom of Epping Forest which he believes is difficult to get anywhere else. Will went on to explain: “It’s easy to feel as if you are lost, even just veering slightly off one of the main paths, despite the fact that you are never really far from civilisation. Epping Forest is like a TARDIS.” When asked what surprises Will most about the Forest he answered: “Epping Forest is constantly surprising. It would have been surprising not to be surprised!

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It is always astonishing to see how much once-familiar places change throughout the year and how the paths can look different quite suddenly as the seasons change.”

Will’s favourite part of Epping Forest is Chingford and north of the Forest from here, as this is where you can really go off and get lost, though he states that any favourite areas can very much depend on your mood on any given day.

Will values living close the Forest: “I wasn’t really aware of Epping Forest before I moved locally, once I discovered it, I was amazed to have the advantage of living so close the amazing City that is London and also access to the fantastic open space of Epping Forest.”

Whilst Will is delighted that Epping Forest has adequate protections and will always stay protected, he is concerned about the constant pressures around the Forest for roads and building and is worried about the development on Green Belt land.

It took Will approximately two years to write Strange Labyrinth, which was also released as a paperback in February of this year. Throughout the book, Will takes time to highlight

some fascinating, and at times unexpected characters who have been associated with Epping Forest, such as the sculptor and artist, Sir Jacob Epstein, and the English Renaissance poet, Lady Mary Wroth. He looks at how their lives entwined with their time spent in Epping Forest.

Will explains: “I have to feel excited about the subject I’m writing about.

Epping Forest is where I live and where I walk and a place I feel passionate about.” He knew there would be enough material in Epping Forest for an entire book.

Throughout the book Will Ashon references the placement, geographically, of Epping Forest and its proximity to the huge, city of London. The way these two spaces interact is a key factor of the book and a driving force behind Will’s fascination with Epping Forest.

He references the dynamic link between such a manmade space, in the city, and nature.

As Will set about writing the book he found that his research and the characters he came across reflected the paths that lead off, on tangents, throughout the Forest, like the spokes of a wheel, linking to other characters, different stories, connected places…

Strange Labyrinth is available for purchase at The View.

New for autumn at The View Drop into The View any time after 1 October to enjoy our snug winter corners designed for people with small children or visitors wanting to pause and sitdown somewhere dry.

We’ll provide a range of hibernating holes with seating, soft mats and cushions and a changing selection of activities to engage the children whilst visitors plan a walk or browse our new retail products.

Now available from The View Venison and English Longhorn beef

Why not pop into The View, Epping Forest’s Visitor Centre in Chingford and treat yourself to some Epping Forest venison burgers or sausages? Succulent English Longhorn beef, home grown in Epping Forest, is also available from the freezer cabinet at The View.

To check availability, please telephone 020 7332 1911

Epping Forest Learning The Heritage schools programme offers a range of learning sessions focusing on the amazing history of Epping Forest and its environment; covering everything from the prehistoric era to WWII. For further information, please visit ‘Learning for Schools’ on the Epping Forest website: www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 13

Epping Forest

nature’s playground A recent study by Natural England found that one in nine children in England had not set foot in a natural environment such as park, beach or forest in the last 12 months. Just 21% of children now play outside compared with 71% of their parents’ generation.

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In our recently adopted Play Policy, we recognise the value Epping Forest has to local children by offering a green space to play.

Play in a natural environment helps a child to develop a healthy lifestyle, improve and maintain physical and mental wellbeing as well as a whole range of social skills.

Epping Forest is the perfect playground and offers endless ways to spark a child’s imagination.

Autumn is the one of the best times of year to visit the Forest with its varied spectrum of leaf colour.

Why not collect a range of coloured leaves and create your own natural work of art by making a rainbow collage?

Fallen branches offer a fantastic habitat for bugs and are a great place to start a bug hunt. When we undertake tree management we also sometimes leave piles of branches and logs to be used for den building. Dens can become

very elaborate and take whole days to make if all the details are added. You can even name your den by arranging twig letters at its ‘front door’.

Trees of course provide a true nature’s playground for climbing and balancing. We don’t encourage climbing our protected ancient trees but there are always plenty of huge old fallen trunks that provide daring challenges.

A timeless activity to encourage children to wrap up against the seasonal chill and venture out is the promise of finding conkers on the Forest floor, beneath a horse chestnut tree. The bigger and the shinier the conker, the better.

If you find a particularly strong contender you could even take it to our sister site, Hampstead Heath, which runs an annual ‘Conker Championships’ every September – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ hampsteadheath

A walk through the Forest can be brought alive for children by spotting the faces in the knots of the trees and making up stories about them.

The many streams that cross the Forest are beginning to refill in Autumn and are great fun to splash across. Playing with different textures such as sand, gravel and clay can be achieved in this one Forest with its varied environments.

Opportunities for natural play are limitless and ever-changing, better than any formal play facility as you never know what you’re going to encounter, spot, discover or learn

on this journey into nature in your ‘neck of the woods’.

If you need any help or advice, call in at The View Visitor Centre in Chingford where our friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you. To perhaps venture somewhere new, try one of the 20 walks in our ‘Short Walks in Epping Forest’ book or arm yourself with the recently revised ‘Epping Forest – The Official Map’, both these publications, as well as a wide range of children’s activity and ‘spotter’ books can be purchased at The View.

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Singing in

The Wilderness Saturday 29 September 3pm to 7pm St John’s Church of England Primary School, Buckhurst Hill

A special event will be held at St John’s Church of England Primary School in Buckhurst Hill on Saturday 29 September, to celebrate the life and work of local artist, Walter Spradbery.

Spradbery lived next door to the school in a house known as ‘The Wilderness’ from 1929 until 1969. The site is now part of Epping Forest and a stone plaque marks where the house once stood.

Spradbery is best known for his poster designs for London Transport, one of which was recently used on the new signboards marking the boundaries of Epping Forest. He and his wife, operatic singer Dorothy D’Orsay, also held many musical and operatic performances in the gardens of The Wilderness for the local community.

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In 1938, they held an ‘Open Air Social’ with stalls, sideshows, donkey rides, traditional dances and art displays. Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey has worked with St John’s Church of England Primary School to recreate this event on its 80th anniversary.

Everyone is welcome to come along between 3pm and 7pm on Saturday 29 September to enjoy entertainments and refreshments based on the original event. There will be a specially choreographed dance performance by The Flux Dance Collective who have worked with year 5 pupils at St John’s to create a piece inspired by The Wilderness. A historical interpreter will play the role of Walter Spradbery, leading tours into The Wilderness to visit the site where the house once stood. The day will conclude with a fun performance by Impropera –

the world’s only improvised Opera Company. Buckhurst Hill Community Association will have an art display, and there will be a small exhibition about Walter Spradbery.

The event is suitable for all ages.

Admission is free. There will be small charges for refreshments and some activities with all proceeds going to St John’s Church of England Primary School.

This event is part of the programme of activities for the exhibition ‘Walter Spradbery, Artist in War and Peace’, at Epping Forest District Museum in Waltham Abbey from Saturday 21 July to Saturday 22 December.

Admission is free. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The exhibition and special events are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For further information, please visit www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforest

Festive Forest Festive floristry workshop

Wednesday 5 December 10.30am–3.30pm The View and Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge A floristry workshop with a Tudor festive feel: we’re offering a rare opportunity to work together with florist to decorate the 1543 Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge with holly, ivy and Christmas cheer.

Participants will be able to make a small table decoration or wreath to take home too. Mince pies included.

Free course: this event is for adults (19 years+). Booking required.

Waltham Forest Adult Education Service in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

To book, visit: http://goo.gl/iUI8bt

The Hunting Lodge: Boughs of holly Christmas display

Christmas Grotto

Friday 7 December to Friday 22 December (During opening hours) Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge

Father Christmas will be stopping off in Epping Forest to visit his Christmas Grotto adjacent to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.

Be sure to book your tickets to see him. P21

Immerse yourself in our atmospheric Tudor Hunting Lodge festively decorated with holly and ivy and flickering ‘candle’ lights in the traditional manner. Enjoy a Tudorinspired glass of ‘Hippocras’ spiced drink and a mince pie as mid-winter dusk falls from 3pm to 4.30pm each day, £1 donation.

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge

The Forest’s famous Christmas Grotto returns to The Hunting Lodge and The View to coincide with Father Christmas’ visit. Even if you’re too big or too naughty to visit Santa, there is a lot to see and do at this sparkling seasonal event. Enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and listen to festive tales at this family-friendly celebration of Christmas.

Father Christmas tickets go on sale via Eventbrite on Saturday 13 October. Date Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December £14.95 per child (includes gift). Booking required.

Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 17

Woodbine walk 1

6

A

Advertorial

G

2 5 F 4

E

B

3

C

the butts, raised banks denoting the target distances.

3 At the top of Flagstaff Hill, turn

left onto the Verderers Ride.

C F lagstaff Hill obtained its name from the red flag that used to be flown here when target practice was being carried out.

Parking: Honey Lane car park Distance: 1.5 miles Time: 45 mins

D Verderer’s Ride was named after

the role of Forest Verderer, an ancient title first introduced some 1000 years ago.

1 The walk starts at Honey Lane car park, just opposite The Woodbine Public House.

4 After approximately 200 metres,

A Beside the car park is a

E It is easy to see why Big View

19th century drinking fountain and thatched shelter that was established as a source of drinking water for local people in 1877 by the Lord of the Manor, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton.

2 From the car park head up

the Rifle Butts Ride to the top of Flagstaff Hill.

B The steep hill forming the Rifle

Butts was used for target shooting training from the Napoleonic War through to the Second World War. Looking the right, towards the top of the hill, you will notice

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© Harper Collins/City of London

D

look out for an opening amongst the trees on the left, Big View.

gained its name. One can enjoy a magnificent view across the Lee Valley from here.

5 Head down the hill from Big

View along one of the unmade paths that wends its way back to Honey Lane Plain.

F This area contains some

magnificent beech trees that favour the higher, well-drained soil here. The Forest’s dark coloured fallow deer are common in this area as are muntjac.

Top left: Big View Below: Rifle butt

6 Finish the walk by visiting one

of Epping Forest’s most delightful pubs, The Woodbine, where you will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

G As well as offering a fantastic

menu, The Woodbine is proud to offer a tremendous selection of the finest local brews found anywhere, including ales, stouts, porters, lagers and award-winning ciders.

Visit: www.thewoodbine.co.uk

Autumn events September Exhibition: On our doorstep

Thursday 6 September to Tuesday 2 October The View An exhibition of paintings by Lindsey Julian and Sally Martin.

Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Taster session: Capture the natural beauty of the Forest in clay Wednesday 5 September 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Using leaves and natural materials found on the Forest floor, accomplished ceramist, Debbie Maya, will show you how to create a printed clay pendant, tile or small vessel.

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.

Family busy bee day Saturday 8 September 10am–1pm Suntrap Suntrap Forest Education Centre event.

Epping Forest Heritage Trust

A new trust, with a long history, working to preserve Epping Forest and increase people’s knowledge, understanding and engagement with the Forest. @EppingForestHT @EppingForestHT www.efht.org.uk

The Annual Epping Forest Centenary Walk

Sunday 9 September 9am–5pm Discover more about Epping Forest by walking the entire length from south to north in one day (circa 13 miles) or take part in one of the local sections of the walk. Celebrate how lucky we are to have Epping Forest. Arranged by the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, the West Essex Ramblers and the City of London Corporation.

Children’s cycling group Sunday 9 September 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

Family bat and moth night

Friday 14 September 7pm–10pm Suntrap Suntrap Forest Education Centre event.

Natural history course: Identifying woodland trees in leaf Saturday 15 September FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

Open House Weekend: The Forest that was saved – 1878 archives and images

Saturday 22 September and Sunday and Sunday 23 September 10am–5pm Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and The View Drop in to see original documents and museum objects relating to the campaign to save Epping Forest over 140 years ago. We’ll be including some handling objects and dressing up costumes for adults and children to get you into the 1878 mood.

Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Children’s cycling group Sunday 23 September 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

Open House: Epping Forest heritage walk – Hollow Pond and around

Sunday 23 September 10am–12 noon Meet at Leytonstone Station A guided walk from Leytonstone Station talking about Leytonstone heritage buildings and Epping Forest’s Hollow Pond with its rowing boats and picturesque islands.

Discover the story of how Epping Forest was saved as a green space for the ‘enjoyment and recreation’ of the public in the years leading to the 1878 Epping Forest Act, and how people have enjoyed it ever since.

Free. Booking opens from 21 August. City of London Corporation event.

Further information 020 7332 1911 cityoflondon.gov.uk/ eppingforestevents To book, visit: http://goo.gl/iUI8bt

Open House: Epping Forest heritage walk – over the green edge

Sunday 23 September 10am–12 noon Meet at Chingford train station A guided walk from Chingford Station to take you to the very edge of London through historic Epping Forest, finishing at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge. We’ll step over the Meridian on Pole Hill and can literally leap out of London at Connaught Water: Longhorn cows, ancient oak pollards and twisted hornbeams all included.

Free. Booking opens from 21 August. City of London Corporation event.

October Christmas Grotto – tickets go on sale via Eventbrite

Saturday 13 October Come and meet Father Christmas at his Christmas Grotto at The View in Epping Forest and experience a magical day, with lots to do and see. Enjoy the Christmas spirit with a glass of mulled wine, cider or hot chocolate while singing along to Christmas songs. Pop inside for some seasonal activities or source a last minute gift from the traditional Christmas stalls and gift shop.

Date: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December. £14.95 per child (includes gift).

Booking required. City of London Corporation event.

Art workshop series: Start painting the Forest

Wednesday 3, 10, 17 October 1.30pm–4.30pm The View A three-week watercolour and ink course inspired by the Forest landscape and led by Lisa Ivory, a practising artist and experienced art lecturer.

This friendly course will help you learn to look and describe what you see with sensitivity and energy and to develop tone, colour and texture to maximise your painting potential. £108. Booking required: Waltham Forest Adult Education Service www.lbwfadultlearning. co.uk/coursefinder. London Borough of Waltham Forest event.

Exhibition: Whoever looks round sees eternity here

Thursday 4 October to Wednesday 31 October The View Alison Chaplin exhibits her most recent Forest landscapes.

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

Children’s cycling group Sunday 7 October 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

Suntrap Open Day

Saturday 13 October 1pm–5pm Suntrap Suntrap Forest Education Centre event.

Natural history course: Identifying woodland fungi in Epping Forest Saturday 13 October FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

Children’s cycling group Sunday 21 October 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

For families: Magnificent mammals (age 18 months – 4 years) Tuesday 23 October FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

For families: Mammal tracks (age 5+) Tuesday 23 October FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

Family half term: Children’s games – what we used to do

Tuesday 23 October to Sunday 28 October (During opening hours) Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and The View Drop in whatever the weather and settle into some historic games set up in cosy corners around Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and The View.

Games of chance, games of skill from Shove Ha’penny (as enjoyed by Henry VIII) to Victorian board games that the Queen herself might have enjoyed. No batteries required!

Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 21

Taster session: Autumn identification of trees and plants

Wednesday, 24 October 1.30pm–3.30pm The View Community Room Cathy McLoughlin is an experienced Environmental Educator and Lloyd Park’s Community Gardener. Join her on a relaxing walk to enjoy Epping Forest’s beautiful autumnal colours and learn the names of trees and plants as you wander.

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

Natural history course: Traditional hedgelaying

Thursday 25 – Friday 26 October FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

Activity walk: Discovering the High Beach Easy Access Trail Friday 26 October 10.30am–12noon Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach Epping Forest Heritage Trust event

Natural history course: Woodland ecology and management Saturday 27 October FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

22 Forest Focus Autumn 2018

November Exhibition: Returning from the War – beyond the 11th hour

For families: Trees without leaf (age 5+) Saturday 17 November FSC High Beach FSC Epping Forest event.

Thursday 1 November to Friday 30 November Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge Find out about Forest Keepers who returned to the Forest after the Great War: what we know about their war experiences and their return to a working life in the Forest. An exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Children’s cycling group

Exhibition: The colour of nature

December

Saturday 3 November to Sunday 2 December The View Painting exhibition inspired by Forest nature and the changing seasons by Sue Mayne Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Children’s cycling group Sunday 4 November 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

Exhibition: The People’s Forest: Process and participation

Saturday 10 November to Sunday 27 January (During opening hours) The View An exhibition recording events and themes from artist Gayle Chong Kwan’s project The People’s Forest at the Barbican, William Morris Gallery and in the Forest itself.

Free. No booking required.

City of London Corporation event.

Sunday 18 November 10am–12 noon Chingford Plain Go Further Cycling event.

Lantern making, bonfire and burgers Saturday 24 November 4pm–7pm Suntrap Suntrap Forest Education Centre event.

Please see page 17 for our Christmas events.

Our Forest partners FSC Epping Forest www.field-studies-council.org/ centres/londonregion/ eppingforest Go Further Cycling www.gofurthercycling.co.uk Waltham Forest Adult Education Service www.walthamforest.gov.uk Suntrap suntrapcentre.weebly.com Epping Forest Heritage Trust (formerly The Friends of Epping Forest and Epping Forest Centenary Trust) enquiries@efht.org.uk www.efht.org.uk

Autumn 2018 Forest Focus 23

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 (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 closure for private hire or school visits. Please check website.

@COLEppingForest Epping Forest City of London coleppingforest

Open Saturdays and Sundays April – September 12pm–5pm October – March 10am–3pm 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 and Bank Holidays (except Christmas Day) November to March 10am–3pm 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.

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