More than 2,000 mark Hainault Forest centenary
Thousands of visitors enjoyed soaring temperatures at Hainault Forest Country Park, near Chigwell, on July 15, when it hosted an all-day festival to mark the site’s centenary and recreation of its 1906 dedication.
Hainault Forest was formally dedicated to the public at a special ceremony on 21 July 1906, led by the then President of the Board of Agriculture, Earl Carrington. It followed a lengthy campaign by Edward North Buxton, to ensure the ancient 113-hectare (280-acre) site was put in public hands. And fittingly the centre piece of the celebration took place when descendants of both men - Earl Carrington’s nephew Lord Carrington and Edward North Buxton’s grandson John Buxton - along with the Mayor of Redbridge, officially opened the event.
During the opening ceremony, Lord Carrington’s description of Edward North Buxton as a ‘dangerous radical’ prompted spontaneous rounds of applause and laughter from the packed crowd of on-lookers.
He said: “It seems extraordinary now, but men like him were actually deemed dangerous radicals back in 1906, simply because of their ideas, their philanthropy and their efforts to preserve our natural world. But we still owe them an enormous debt of gratitude, because it’s thanks to their vision, foresight and radicalism that this stunning green landmark still stands today.”
John Buxton said he was delighted to see his grandfather’s vision and sentiments carried on for generations.
He added: “It is clear Hainault Forest has been nurtured and safeguarded. It continues to be in good hands and is now being expanded by the Woodland Trust with Havering Park Farm – a stunning 120-acre plot of farm land on the north-west side of the site that will see this ancient woodland buffered and extended even further.
“I am also delighted to see the blueprint that my grandfather and his many supporters helped create is also being continued thanks to the pioneering Green Arc project. This 400-square mile, multi-million pound scheme will see even more green spaces created and linked across a vast swathe of Hertfordshire, north and east London and Essex. It is going to pave the way for landscape-scale change to help protect even more species, reduce pollution and enrich the environment for millions of us.”
Redbridge Mayor Councillor Ashok Kumar, paid tribute to all who had helped look after and nurture Hainault Forest during the past 100 years.
He said: “Thanks to their unstinting efforts, this green gem, which I count as among Greater London’s best kept secrets, still stands for us all to enjoy. It is a constant reminder that we must remain vigilant and ensure this living legacy survives the pressures of the 21st century and is still here in another 100 years’ time.”
The festival also featured scores of activities including a 32-class companion dog show and scurry, displays, dancing, fairground rides, football, cricket, archery and netball taster sessions. In the showground arena there was live music and dancing overseen by a team from community radio station Red FM. The event’s formal opening ceremony was followed by concert music provided by Redbridge Music School. There was also a guided walk through Hainault Forest held for Woodland Trust supporters.
During the day, event organisers the Woodland Trust and London Borough of Redbridge, also unveiled new full-colour booklet The History and Ecology of Hainault Forest. It is packed with scores of facts, anecdotes and observations from a host of local residents and nature-lovers and is on sale from local outlets at a price of £1.50 a copy.
The event was sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BT.
BT also kindly sponsored the Woodland Trust reception and presentation. The Woodland Trust would like to thank the many other numerous individuals and organisations supported the event including the London Borough of Redbridge, Essex County Council, Epping Forest District Council and Epping Forest Country Care.
