Burnham Beaches Visit

To better inform the work of the trustees, we schedule a number of visits to each of the Epping Forest and Commons sites throughout the course of the municipal year. Not only are visits and events a great way of bringing lengthy reports on a page to life, but they are an opportunity for the Members and Verderers to build relationships with other local charities, councillors, volunteers and staff who work in each of these areas we are entrusted to protect and conserve for future generation.

Within the remit of my Committee, we have 5 distinct charities: Epping Forest (232990), Burnham Beeches & Stoke Common (232987), Coulsdon & Other Commons (232989), West Wickham Common & Spring Park Wood (232988) and Ashtead Common (105510).

On Friday 2nd September, I hosted a visit to Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, welcoming the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Amanda Keaveny, the Sheriffs, Alderman Nick and Mrs. Felicity Lyons and Alderman Alison Gowman. Alongside the City’s civic party, we were joined by members of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee, and Chairman, Leader and Cabinet from Buckinghamshire Council, the Chairman of all of the local Parish and Borough Council and a range of other organisations from the National Trust to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty Conservation Board.

After a early morning coffee at the Beeches Café, the group headed off into the Beeches for a tour, lead by the Head Ranger, Martin Hartup.

Burnham Beeches is a National Nature Reserve and European Special Area of Conservation famous for its ancient pollards; many are several hundred years old. The site comprises of 220 hectares (540 acres) of woodland, heath, wood pasture and wetland. The closed tarmac roads are ideal for cyclists, horse-riders and families with buggies. East Burnham Common is perfect for picnics and informal games.

As is tradition, the Lord Mayor of the City of London participates in an annual pollard of a tress, which involves cutting the branches of a tree above head height and allowing new ones to grow. This produces a continuous crop of wood and makes the tree live longer. The age of these trees and the amount of deadwood in and around them also helps make the woodland rich in wildlife.

The Lady Mayoress also had a close shave with one of the free roaming British White cows, which are part of a indigenous breed which is about 400 years old.

We also had the pleasure of hearing about the veteran Beech and Oak trees that provide a stable habitat for many rare and endangered deadwood species. Many of these trees have become old familiar friends to visitors and as such, have been named. You can read more about that here. They have also features in many films due to their unique beauty.

The visit ended with the Lord Mayor and Chairman of Epping Forest and the Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, making a presentation to Mrs Judy Tipping for an incredible 40 years of voluntary services to Burnham Beeches.

If you’re interested in learning more about Burnham Beeches or planning a visit, please click here: Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common – City of London

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *