Building a legacy: protecting our natural heritage

History of Suntrap

Suntrap (as it’s always been known) was Originally built as a children’s tuberculosis At some point during the Second World War designed by Thomas Cutler in 1894 and built (TB) sanatorium by Harold Baring; the story the hospital’s patients changed from children on the site of the former Fairmead House being that Harold’s sister Muriel wanted to to expectant mothers as Suntrap became an psychiatric hospital run by Dr Matthew Allen. be a nurse so her banker brother built her a annex of Plaistow Maternity Hospital. Mrs The poet John Clare was possibly the most hospital. As there were no antibiotics at that M P Churchill writing in a local newspaper famous of Dr Allen’s patients. time the only way to treat TB was with fresh recalled that mothers were sent from East air, rest and a good diet. Many of the children to Suntrap to have their babies “in spent their days in their beds which had been peace”. By the 1950s the building was owned wheeled outdoors or were put into summer by Muriel’s daughters, Ursula and Muriel houses which had huge windows. Brenton, and was roughly converted into flats to house families in need of homes.

“I used to be scared of the outdoors but I’m not now, it’s so In 1967 the London Borough of Waltham Building on it’s environmental legacy, Forest bought Suntrap for £500 to create Suntrap continues to nurture a collective beautiful.” a centre that would provide environmental responsibility for the world which future education for every child in the borough. generations will inherit by creating Pupil from Waltham Forest School Ken Hoy became the first Head of Centre. opportunities for urban children, young at first visit to Suntrap Since then thousands of children and young people, adults and families to discover and people have visited the centre. In 2017 enjoy and the wider natural Suntrap celebrated its 50th anniversary; world. Suntrap is dedicated to delivering acknowledgment included a hand-written memorable, first-hand experiences of nature note of congratulations from Sir David that educate and inspire; developing respect Attenborough. for the natural world.

Suntrap Forest Centre, 5 Church Road, High Bringing nature nearer Beach, , IG10 4AJ 020 8508 0611 [email protected] www.suntrapcentre.co.uk suntrap.eppingforest

Suntrap on Tour is funded by Great Place: Creative Connections, a programme supported by Arts Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Great Place Scheme is designed to put arts, culture and heritage at the heart of the local community.