Welcome to the first Hainault Forest update for this historic woodland. Here, we'll endeavour to give you regular information about what's going on at Hainault Forest, including events, woodland maintenance works and anything else of interest.
Below are a couple of interesting articles to kick off this first issue.
Help restore Hainault Forest at the..
Hainault Forest Heathland Bash
Sunday 25th March 2007
This event will give you an introduction to practical volunteer work on the heath at Hainault. Help us to restore this rare heathland by removing some of the young tree saplings that are invading from the nearby woodland.
All semi-natural habitats are important and at Hainault our long term vision is to create a mosaic of both woodland and heathland. Find out more information on the heathland at Hainault Forest
Country care staff will provide all tools and instruction. Learn how to use the relevant tools and how your work will benefit wildlife.
This event is FREE but please book in advance as limited places are available.
Meeting at 10.00 a.m. Car Park opposite Maypole Public House & All Saints Church, Romford Road.
To book and for further directions please contact:
Glenn Mulleady
Telephone: 01708642953
Email: glennmulleady@woodland-trust.org.uk
Green Flag Award
Hainault Forest Country Park was one of just a handful of parks awarded the coveted Green Flag Award in 2006 by the Civic Trust. These annual awards set the standard for the very best parks and green spaces in England and Wales.
To qualify for the award, the Council, in partnership with the Woodland Trust, had to demonstrate to the judges that the park is maintained to a high level and has a good standard of facilities. Equally important, was demonstrating that the Park had achieved a high standard of community development.
Some of the features which helped win the Award were:
- Running guided walks and workshops for school and community groups.
- Sculpture workshops that produced dramatic pieces of artwork that can now be found on the Nature Trail.
- Four self-guided walks around the forest areas with maps and way markers to help people find their way, as well as paths for disabled visitors.
The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and The Olympics, Councillor Keith Prince said: 'It's thanks to the enthusiasm of the staff at Hainault Country Park that we have received this award. Not only do they operate an extensive events programme, they are committed to continually improving the park and finding ways of making it accessible to the whole community. It's well worth a visit, as every corner you turn; you unearth something natural and new.'
Schools' programme
Since January, the Woodland Trust has been inviting local schools to help plant up newly aquired land at havering. So far, this year, up to 400 school age children have helped plant native trees such as oak, hazel and hornbeam. Four more years of schools planting should see the beginning of new woodland.
For more general information about Hainault Forest read the winter newsletter and for some of the wider events organised by the London Borough of Redbridge check out: www.hainaultforest.co.uk
