Ancient forest wins Parliamentary approval
An all-day celebration held to mark the centenary of Hainault Forest’s 1906 dedication won Parliamentary praise thanks to an Early Day Motion tabled by two MPs.
Romford MP Andrew Rosindell and Ilford North MP Lee Scott, filed the motion in the House of Commons. They paid tribute to the Woodland Trust and London Borough of Redbridge’s efforts to develop and safeguard the site for all. The Trust’s plans to extend Hainault Forest by 55 hectares (120 acres) with Park Farm Havering, were also singled out.
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 ancient113-hectare (280-acre) site was put in public hands. A special celebration to mark the centenary held at the end of last month saw descendants of both men - Earl Carrington’s nephew Lord Carrington and Edward North Buxton’s grandson John Buxton - along with the Mayor of Redbridge, open the event.
Mr Rosndell and Mr Scott’s motion says: “That this House joins the people of Essex and the Woodland Trust in celebrating the centenary of the beautiful Hainault Forest Country Park, designated as a public open space on 21st July 1906, protecting the forest's future by the inspirational Edward North Buxton who led a campaign with local people to ensure that the country park could be enjoyed by future generations; recognises the encouraging work led by the Woodland Trust in expanding the boundaries of Hainault Forest Country Park by 55 hectares to create what is to be known as Havering Forest, opened by The Rt. hon. Lord Carrington on Saturday 15th July; notes the important contribution this forest will have on improving the social and environmental quality of life for people residing within the London Boroughs of Havering and Redbridge; further notes the exceptional efforts and plans by The Woodland Trust to involve the local community and more specifically, school children in the area, in planting schemes over the 55 hectares; and looks forward to celebrating and benefiting from another 100 years of ancient woodland, rolling hills, sparkling waters and native wildlife in the east of London and Essex.”
The site is also a key part of the pioneering 400-square mile Green Arc project, which aims to link up the main green open spaces of the north and east of London, across Essex and Hertfordshire. Its development will pave the way for landscape-scale change to help protect more species, reduce pollution, enrich the environment and increase public access.
Besides the many Trust members and local residents generously supporting Park Farm Havering are a number of funders. They include Biffaward, Grantscape, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation and WREN.
