Duke of Gloucester visits Epping Forest as a ranger | Epping Forest Guardian
February was a busy month here in Epping Forest – and while the City of London elections get underway, I am pleased to provide you with a short update on what’s been happening these past few weeks.
We recently welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, as he celebrated his Golden Jubilee as Ranger of Epping Forest.
The Duke met some of our volunteers who had completed a volunteering challenge and presented them with their certificates.
Over 3,100 hours were volunteered as part of the campaign which has helped drive up our overall annual increase by 20%. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact: efvolunteering@cityoflondon.gov.uk or read our Epping Forest Volunteer Guide.
During the visit, The Duke viewed our new mice wood sculptures from the Brambly Hedge books. The setting for the books were the trees and hedgerows of Epping Forest.
The first five of these sculptures have been installed close to the Chingford Visitor Centre, so do keep your eyes peeled. You can find out more about the new sculpture trail, which will be officially launched in September, by visiting the what’s new in Epping Forest page on our website.
Many readers will be pleased to hear that The Duke also ‘broke ground’ on Gloucester Ride, a new path which will lead from the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge to Connaught Water.
This often-muddy path is one of the most frequently used in the Forest and is in desperate need of surfacing to help our visitors navigate the site without causing damage. I am pleased to report that the path is due to be completed this summer.
At Lopping Hall in Loughton, the Duke heard presentations from young people exploring the theme ‘The Future of Epping Forest’. In a room full of local MPs and councillors, students spoke passionately about what the Forest means to them and asked politicians to redouble their efforts to defend the Forest in an era of growing planning pressures.
One student summed up the session brilliantly by saying: “Epping Forest is not just a green space; it is our legacy. It holds the stories of the past and the hopes of the future.
“It is the reason our homes don’t flood; the reason we breathe clean air and the reason we remain physically and mentally healthy. We must all play our part in safeguarding it.”
As part of our ongoing celebrations, the Golden Jubilee Exhibition is available to view for free in the Lower Gallery at the Visitor Centre at Chingford (Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm).
This month we have also been working with Essex Police and Epping Forest District Council to tackle fly-tipping. This has included carrying out spot checks on vehicles to check waste carrier licences.
We have also installed CCTV and automatic number place recognition cameras for the first time. Together we are determined to fight fly-tipping and stop the few selfish individuals who waste so much of our charity’s resources.
You can also help us – if you see fly-tipping, please report it to the police on 999. Please also report it to us on: 020 8532 1010 (phone line staffed 24/7).
Finally, our conservation volunteers will shortly be reintroducing the skylark protection area on Wanstead Flats.
This roped-off area will help protect this incredible songbird during their nesting season. For more on our skylark conservation please visit our website.
Jacqueline Eggleston is the Superintendent of Epping Forest (cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest)
