Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee: January update – City of London
Duke of Gloucester plants Wanstead Flats Queen’s Green Canopy trees | Epping Forest Guardian
Like many of you, I have spent some time this week taking stock of what was achieved in 2022 and plotting a course for the year ahead.
I was delighted to end 2022 with our final Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting with the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex and Mayor of Epping, followed by another visit from the Ranger of Epping Forest, HRH The Duke of Gloucester.
On what turned out to be the coldest day of the year, the Ranger persevered across a very snowy Wanstead Flats to help plant a new grove of 70 silver birch trees. The grove was originally planned to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, following the demise of the sovereign, the site was dedicated in memoriam.
As you may be aware, Wanstead Flats technically sits within the London Borough of Redbridge, but it is right on the border of the London Boroughs of Newham and Waltham Forest and therefore well-used by each of these communities. I was delighted to bring the Mayors and First Citizen of each local authority together to plant one of the trees alongside the Ranger. We were well-assisted by the City of London and North-East Sector Army Cadets who helped plant many of the trees in challenging conditions!
It’s been wonderful to see so many people support the Queen’s Green Canopy and help improve our environment. However, my hope for 2023 is that people appreciate that, similar to that familiar phrase ‘a dog isn’t just for Christmas’, trees require a lot of care and maintenance. With more than 1 million trees in Epping Forest to protect, keep safe and healthy, our £4.85m budget is swiftly consumed.
Of course, with a new year, comes the dreaded resolutions, but I am pleased to say we have many ways to help you stay active for little or no cost. Whether it’s a round of golf at Chingford, a game of football at Wanstead Flats, a game of cricket in Woodford or Epping, rowing boats in Leyton, or just escaping to enjoy the tranquillity of our 8,000 acres of green space – on foot, bicycles wheels or horse’s hooves – Epping Forest is here for you. Of course, volunteering in the forest is another great way of staying fit and meeting new friends.
If you’re looking to escape the cold or wet weather, why not visit our latest exhibition at the Visitor Centre in Chingford, ‘Famous Forest Figures’. There are many famous individuals who have benefited from the ancient landscape in the past, such as social reformer, Elizabeth Fry, artist, Sir Jacob Epstein and poet Alfred Lord Tennyson.
As always, our staff at the Visitor Centres are on hand to help you make the best of your time in the Forest. Admission to the Centre is free and open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday.Or you can find a wealth of helpful information on our website www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest
I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year.
Ben Murphy CC, Chairman, Epping Forest & Commons Committee, City of London Corporation
