Epping Forest has always been an important space of recreation for the community, and this summer will be no different.
I am delighted that Epping Forest has once again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Accreditation. Run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the scheme is an international benchmark, recognising some of the very best managed parks and green spaces in the world.
These awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers. I am grateful that in 2022 volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours to help protect Epping Forest – a remarkable effort.
If you are looking for some free activities to occupy a rainy day during the school holidays, the Epping Forest Summer Show is currently on display at the Visitor Centre at Chingford until 3 September.
Our ongoing work to mitigate the risk of wildfires helps everyone enjoy the forest safely. I was pleased to host the Deputy Mayor of London for Fire and Resilience and the Deputy Commissioner of London Fire Brigade at Wanstead Flats to demonstrate new firefighting equipment – called the ‘Holey Hose’ – which helps the brigade create fire breaks to stop wildfires from spreading.
It was also a good opportunity to remind our visitors that it is forbidden to light any fire or barbecue anywhere in Epping Forest. Litter, as well as being unsightly and dangerous to wildlife, can also be a fire hazard.
Please remember, dial 999 if you see any fires in the Forest that require emergency attention, or phone 020 8532 1010 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) for any issues that do not require an emergency response.
The City of London Corporation has been implementing changes to ensure the Epping Forest charity is managed in the most effective way to preserve the Forest.
These include changes to the roles staff perform and the frequency and format of meetings we hold with key stakeholders.
We wish to be more transparent and engaged with local communities to ensure we are all working together to protect this irreplaceable natural asset, whilst also providing useful services, such as sports and recreation, outdoor education, heritage and culture.
As part of these changes, we will shortly begin advertising a range of vacancies in our team, including apprenticeships. All job vacancies can be found at: https://jobs.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
The management of Epping Forest is now both more labour intensive and more expensive than ever envisaged when the City of London Corporation purchased the land for public enjoyment 150 years ago, and we face increased challenges such as climate change. But I am pleased that we have been able to secure more funding to ensure our position remains stable.
Later this year, we will also begin a public consultation on a new strategy for Epping Forest and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas. Local engagement is essential to our work ensuring the Forest is a place of both recreation and conservation.
Ben Murphy, Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee
