LEAVES— SPRING 2019 The Newsletter of the Conservation Volunteers

Please send any comments or contributions to the editor, Mark Solomons, at [email protected]

To see this newsletter online and in full colour, visithttp://www.efcv.co.uk The website also provides more information on tasks and events, campaigns and forest news. For information regarding EFCV contact Brian McGhie (01992 573514) or Kevin Mason (020 8529 9273)/ [email protected] Dates for your diary - Pub Nights! See the noticeboard Cover pic of Deershelter Plain taken by Peter Smith Let’s start 2019 with a good wildlife news and managing most of these sites should not story for a change. The latest journal of the take up a lot of time because, unfortunately, Field Club has a paper on the they are neither large nor wet. T.LC is what reintroduction of red squirrels to Mersea these bogs need and we (EFCV) have the Island between 2012 and 2015. I must have knowledge and expertise to do what is been living in a cave during that time, for required. The only bog that presents a major this story is news to me! The few greys on problem because of its depth is Lodge Road the island were captured and humanely Bog, but we now have new mats to overcome managed, then 29 reds were released over that obstacle. the three years and the current estimated “I talk to the trees, but they don’t listen to population is 47. The project has been me”. No prize for anyone who lets me know considered a success so far. what 1969 musical this line is from (let Most articles on the subject suggest that internet searching commence!). There have 1947 was the last time red squirrels were been several conversations and media seen in Epping Forest. According to Alfred interviews about the subject of trees Leutscher, the first greys turned up in Bury communicating with each other recently, Wood near Chingford in 1935. An effort particularly on serious radio programmes was made by the conservators to exterminate (okay, Radio 4!). Most of us know that tree the invader but, unsurprisingly, it failed. roots are linked together by fungus threads or Will we ever see red squirrels back in the mycelial networks. These networks have forest if some miracle of nature or science been referred to as “the wood-wide web”. can get rid of the greys? I doubt it, but at The theory is that trees can inform each other least we can travel to the far end of Essex of approaching danger from disease, stress or and hope to see reds there. insects. So, the next time we have to fell or cut back invading scrub and saplings, we had It is not often that we can boast about better sneak up quietly behind them! Sorry if completing a task and not having to return later to do it all again. Upper Wake Valley that seems flippant, got to work in a cheap Bog is such a site. Only two tasks were joke somehow! required to dig up the menace of pendula As another conservation year begins, I hope sedge and bramble on this small but that everyone enjoyed last year’s tasks and important site. This small bog is only one of will enjoy the new tasks for 2019. Thank two sites containing marsh fern which was you all for your hard work and company on introduced in 1973 in conjunction with the task. A special thanks to ecologist Andy Nature Conservancy Council from Gernon Froud, based at The Warren, for checking the Bushes, where the fern is growing well in task lists submitted by the committee, two bog sites. An Essex rarity, the marsh meeting task leaders, giving advice, and violet was present until 2005. With luck, whenever possible booking one of the there is a seed bed which we have disturbed Ranger vehicles for transporting our tools to with our digging and this plant will reappear site. along with others. Brian McGhie I am sure most volunteers have noticed the increase of bog sites appearing on the task lists. These sites are important for the plant communities they contain or did contain until most of them dried out due to summer droughts, scrub encroachment, or invasion by bramble and bracken. Shading by nearby trees also has an adverse effect. Restoring AUF WIEDERSEHEN, ELKE

After 22 years of bossing us around, making us laugh, regaling us with stories about her life here and growing up in Germany as well as sustaining us with cake, Elke Taylor has moved away and will no longer be a fixture at our tasks. Chairman Brian McGhie pays tribute to one of our most popular, long- serving volunteers, pictured right by former Epping Forest artist-in- residence Marion Sidebottom, and below, by Peter Smith, from her final task at Upper Wake Valley Bog in November. As we all know, Elke has left Ongar and EFCV and set up home in Horsham to be near her eldest son and his wife and especially her two much loved grandsons. Our loss is their gain. Elke has been a stalwart volunteer for several Elke hardly missed an EFCV pub night and conservation groups, including Countrycare would usually turn up at social occasions, even and Gernon Bushes for many years. Warley AGMs. Place was one of her favourites until being a She also supported the Ongar Wildlife Society bricklayer’s labourer got too much for her! and I used to go to some of their evening A very social person, Elke likes to get out and meetings and talks with her. about as much as possible. Don’t forget that Watching Elke down on her knees cutting she did much of the Essex coast walk with small holly shoots at Gernon Bushes recently Ralph and Company several years ago. Well, made me wonder if I will be able to do likewise maybe more than several years ago! when I am her age. I certainly hope so! I thought about using “The long goodbye” as a title for this piece. Some of us said goodbye at least three times! Well, Elke made an appearance at our Christmas BBQ and we will see her again, I’m sure. I certainly intend to visit Elke in her new home soon. Brian McGhie

ATTENDANCE MATTERS—BY KEVIN MASON

The number of volunteers attending our tasks decreased during the past 12 months from 808 last year to 766 in the past 12 months. The table below details the figures:

This is disappointing and 2017/18 2016/17 shows we need to work at 12 month Volunteers total 766 808 attracting new/more mem- 12 month Volunteers Weekends 577 634 bers to our tasks. As you 12 month Tasks total 53 50 can see from the chart below 12 month Tasks Weekends 40 37 our numbers do tend to rise 12 month Weekend average vols/task 14.5 17.1 and fall on a regular basis and there are signs that we may be on an upward trajectory. Weather conditions may have influ- enced the number of people attending; we seemed to suffer from rainy Sundays during the winter. We get regular email enquiries from people wanting to volunteer with us and we do work hard to convert these enquiries into new members. There were 11 new members in 2018 and 10 other vol- unteers who have worked with us but not yet joined. Hopefully, volunteers who have worked with us during the year have enjoyed their time with us and found the work interesting and worthwhile. The amount of work we can complete at each task really does depend on having large numbers of volunteers helping the task leader. Having an enjoyable and satisfying day out in good company al- so helps. The graph details average attendance at each task on an annual rolling basis for the past ten years. A total of 103 people at- tended tasks during 2016. an increase of 20 on 2015/16 but 44 of them only came once so this is something we have to look at to find out why they have not been more often.

EFCV highlights for the year 2018 *766 Volunteer days (852 in 2017) or 4596 hours, this equates to £35,986.68 @£7.83 per hour, giv- en on 53 practical tasks organised this year, 40 on Sundays and 13 on other days. *88 active volunteers participating in our tasks, an average of 14.4 per task. *Worked on 23 different sites, including two with the Wildlife Trust. *Two pond clearance sites were worked on in the forest. *Seven tasks involved bog restoration The EFCV committee would like to record and thank the following members for the amount of tasks they attended during 2018.

Over 200 hours of volunteer work Over 150 hours of volunteer work Over 100 hours of volunteer work Spencer Cleminson / Peter Smith Brian McGhie Ruth Moore / Brian McGhie/Iona Kay Elke Taylor / Mary Dodd Heather Cleminson Tim Charge/Kevin Mason Neil Redgwell,/John Skerry Paul Herbert/Mark Solomons

The sites most visited were: Gas Ride and Fairmead (six times each); Lord’s Bushes (five); Birch Wood, Deershelter Plain and Oak Hill Bog (three times each). 2018 was a financially exceptional year for the group. Our income exceeded expenditure again, 2018 2017 this year by £1254.99. The figures were boosted Income by two legacies of £500 each, from the estates of Pat Webb and Gwen Clarke for which we are, of Subs £465.00 £490.00 -£25.00 course, very grateful. Donations £716.38 £841.66 -£125.28 interest £17.54 £8.12 £9.42 Any suggestions for how we might spend this money will be considered by the committee. We Insurance Grant £357.63 £475.79 -£118.16 are looking at the possibility of getting one or Other £590.00 £360.00 £230.00 more tree pullers for removal of small trees rather Legacy £1000.00 £0.00 £1000.00 than continually cutting them, but at present these Total £3146.55 £2175.57 £970.98 are very heavy to carry any sort of distance

We have also benefitted from corporate groups Expenditure coming out with us again this year and have re- ceived £475 from Santander and £115 from Bar- Postages £41.84 £54.90 £13.06 clays Bank as their staff came out to tasks with us Newsletter £164.70 £218.40 £53.70 on four occasions. The two groups both said how Web site £43.38 £31.18 -£12.20 much they had enjoyed their days with us and Food £174.87 £78.75 -£96.12 hope to repeat the work next year. Indeed one Tools £782.60 £210.17 -£572.43 group is already booked in for January 2019. Chain Saw £274.54 £192.54 -£82.00 Regular donations from members have fallen by Donation £52.00 £40.00 -£14.00 £125 and the number of paid members is down insurance £357.63 £475.79 £118.16 from 98 last year to 93 this. The money coming Total £1891.56 £1301.73 -£589.83 into the group is the highest total ever and a 30% increase on last year. Income £3146.55 £2175.57 £970.98 With all this extra money coming into the group Expenditure £1891.56 £1301.73 -£589.83 we have been able to spend more than usual on tools and equipment— an increase of £572.43 on Total £1254.99 £873.84 £381.15 last year. We spent £100 on new netting to enable us to carry out bog tasks more effectively, causing Bank balance less damage to the bog. We also spent £187 on Current a/c £753.59 £703.30 £50.29 new hi-vis jackets to make volunteers more easily visible to task leaders and members of the public. Deposit a/c £4682.44 £3427.90 £1254.54 £181 was spent fitting out the new wader store. £5436.03 £4131.20 £1304.83 Expertly carried out by Peter Vaughan this has Petty cash £50.74 £100.58 -£49.84 created a lot more space in the general tool store. During the year eight volunteers attended a first £5486.77 £4231.78 £1254.99 aid course and money was spent bringing the first aid supplies up to the required standard. You will be aware we obtained a grant of £12,050 from the City of London Corporation last year to We have also had to spend more than anticipated help pay for training and new equipment. To date on the chainsaw as the braking system on one of we have spent £7,221 leaving £4,829 to be spent. the saws broke and was replaced at a cost of £96. Expenditure so far has included first aid training Efforts to control the group’s expenditure on the course for 10 volunteers and a chainsaw opera- newsletter have been successful with a further re- tors training course together costing £4,250, plus duction of £66 in costs of production and distribu- £460 for personal protective equipment. Regular tion. task attenders will have noticed new bow saws, The food bill includes the cost of the Christmas pole saws and loppers together with two new BBQ in 2017 and 2018 so that accounts for the chainsaws and a brush cutter. Further training and increased costs of food. Again this year we did purchases will take place in 2019 not have to pay for the AGM as the City of London Overall our financial position remains in a healthy kindly gave us use of a room at The View for the state with enough funds to cover our regular ex- meeting. The web site hosting fee of £43.38 has penditure. been generously donated to the group by member Mark Dewell who runs the web site for us. Kevin Mason, Group Treasurer SUMMARY OF TASKS - Sept 2nd, 2018 to Jan 13th, 2019

Sunday, 2nd September - Lord’s Bushes Sunday, 4th November– Chingford Plain Wood Spencer Cleminson & Iona Kay (15 volunteers) Peter Smith & Ruth Moore (19) On a bright and warm day, we continued to remove We opened an overgrown glade by removing holly and small birch, hornbeam and holly and pollarded marked small birch to give a view of Jubilee Ride. trees. Tuesday, 13th November- Upper Wake Valley Bog Tuesday, 11th September- Fairmead Bottom Brian McGhie & Spencer Cleminson (16) Spencer Cleminson & Kevin Mason (23) We removed pendula sedge and bramble from the bog Friday, 14th September—Fairmead Bottom area and holly and birch from oak pollards in the area. Spencer Cleminson & Stephen Ford (14) Consecutive tasks to clear aspen, birch and willow with Sunday, 18th November - Chingford Plain Wood one group from Santander on each task. Two Peter Smith & Brian McGhie (22) volunteers stung by ground nesting wasps! Continuing the 4th November task to restore the area to a mixed wood pasture habitat, we removed Sunday, 16th September- Jubilee Ride scrub, saplings and small trees to clear the ground Ralph Boswell & Spencer Cleminson (16) under more mature trees, pollarded hornbeam and A considerable number of holly trees were removed as removed holly. well as two hornbeam.

Sundays, 23rd/30th September- Walthamstow Forest Iona Kay & Spencer Cleminson (8) John Fisher & John Skerry (22) Consecutive tasks, the first on a wet and cold day , both to thin clusters of birch, hornbeam and holly.

Sunday, 7th October- Goldings Hill Lower Pond Kevin Mason & Brian McGhie (17) Willow in the bowl of the dried up pond was coppiced and birch, holly and hornbeam were removed. We also cleared vegetation by the side of the pond to make the footpath more accessible.

Tuesday, 16th October- Fairmead Bottom Spencer Cleminson & Peter Smith (27) A team of 17 from Barclays joined us to clear a large area of birch and aspen.

Sunday, 21st October- Wake Valley Pond Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell (18) A fallen tree and invasive crassula were removed from the pond to help maintain and enhance the presence of water violet.

Sunday, 28th October- Fairmead Bottom Pictured above: Before and after our 18th November John Fisher & Stephen Ford (19) task at Chingford Plain Wood. Photos by Peter Smith. Aspen and birch removed to open up the site. SUMMARY OF TASKS (CONTINUED) Sunday, 23rd December - Long Running/Jack’s Hill Sunday, 25th November - Gas Ride Bog Iona Kay & John Fisher (12) Spencer Cleminson & Brian McGhie (11) As part of Project Nightingale we cleared scrub as Birch, some quite tall, was removed and some well as willow, birch, elder and holly. coppicing work was undertaken.

Sunday, 2nd December - Furze Ground Sunday, 30th December - Furze Ground Brian McGhie & Stephen Ford (19) Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell (17) The group included City of London volunteers Areas of bramble and bracken were cut using brushcutters and raked up for habitat piles, nearby manager, Rita Seera. We removed bramble from the medium silver birch felled. heathland to create habitat piles for snakes and removed as much invasive birch as possible. Sunday, 6th January - Long Running/Jack’s Hill Bog Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell (17) Tuesday, 11th December - Deershelter Plain Large/medium birches felled on plain. Grey willow in Spencer Cleminson & Brian McGhie (12) bog coppiced and bramble dug up. Small birch felled A cold and misty day saw us clear sapling birch from and removed from the bog and the plain. among the heather. See Peter Smith’s picture on the front of this newsletter to sample the conditions! Sunday, 13th January - Swaines Green Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell (11) Sunday, 16th December - Gas Ride Lots of jobs completed including cutting back lateral Kevin Mason & Ruth Moore (33) branches of oaks, cutting back bramble and rose to Our annual Christmas task saw a large turnout to halo a large oak, laying willow, cutting back ivy and coppice willow and hawthorn, clear birch and holly fallen limbs to clear the route of the stream, digging and cook lunch on the bonfire. Pictured below are out and restoring this route and removing crassula some of the festive preparations. Photo taken by from the pond. Phew! Peter Smith.

EFCV NOTICEBOARD EPIPENS f anyone uses an ‘EpiPen’ please can you let the I task leader know and bring a spare with you. 21/02/19 Three Jolly Wheelers - Spencer to book TETANUS INOCULATIONS 19/03/19 The Bull—Brian to book he soil in the forest can harbour tetanus and it is 24/04/19 Bald Faced Stag—Spencer to book T therefore in everyone’s interests to ensure that 23/05/19 Robin Hood—Steve to book their anti-tetanus inoculation is up to date. EDITOR’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LOCAL EVENTS hank you to Spencer Cleminson for all his help, Work Days at Gernon Bushes, . Some guidance and contributions, to Kevin Mason, Tuesdays; info: Brian McGhie (01992 573514). T Work Days at . Meet Brian McGhie and Peter Smith for words and photos, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am at Grange Farm, IG7 all the committee for help behind the scenes, Mark 6DP (please note new venue). Info: 020 8500 3094. Dewell for putting this online and all those who Work Days with Epping Forest Countrycare. contribute. Please keep sending me pictures and Thursdays; call Countrycare on 01992 788203 for articles. Comments welcome. details. Epping Forest Visitor Centre events or information EFCV COMMITTEE MEMBERS on Epping Forest events please call The View on 020 hairman – Brian McGhie; Treasurer – Kevin 7332 1911. C Mason; Secretary – Ruth Moore. Other Epping Forest Heritage Trust events. The Epping members: Spencer Cleminson, Steve Ford, Peter Forest Heritage Trust run a variety of walks in the Smith, Mark Solomons, Peter Vaughan. area. For further information please call Tricia Moxey (01277 364522) or www.eppingforestheritagetrust.org.uk ASK THE EXPERTS o you have a burning question about the work EFCV TASK INFORMATION D we do or why we do certain tasks? Do you e meet at 9.30am at The Warren, the City of want to know why we go to some sites and not W London's Forest headquarters. This can be others? Or perhaps you want to know about the accessed from the Epping New Road between the flora, fauna or fungi? Then just ask. Within the EFCV we probably have experts on all aspects of Warren Wood pub and the Robin Hood roundabout. the forest so anything you want to know, we’ll try The gate is manned from approximately 9.15am. We and find out for you for the next edition. Just send aim to leave for the site promptly at 9.45am. If you us an email at [email protected]. intend to go straight to the site, it is essential you inform the task leader in advance, so we can bring enough tools and equipment for everyone. Let the task leader know if you will need a lift to the site. Wear old clothes and sturdy boots (preferably reinforced), and bring refreshments. Hard hats, gloves and waders will be provided. On Sundays, we usually return to The Warren at about 3.30pm; mid- week tasks tend to finish a little earlier. Help with putting away the tools is always appreciated – please don’t always leave this to the same people. Please advise task leaders of any medical conditions, including allergies, of which they should be aware. TASK LIST FOR SPRING 2019 Sunday, 3rd February - Swaines Green Sunday, 21st April - Oak Hill Bog West Leaders: Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell Leaders: Brian McGhie & Peter Smith Our annual visit. Removing blackthorn and cutting lat- Continuing with previous work to remove small and eral branches from nearby trees, mainly oak. medium birch to allow more light into the area down Parking: Lower Swaines Road, Epping. GR: TL455023 stream of the bog. Parking: Jack’s Hill South CP. GR: TQ35997 Tuesday, 12th & Sunday, 17th February - Barn Hoppitt Leaders (12th Feb): Spencer Cleminson & Brian McGhie Sunday, 28th April - Leyton Flats Leaders (17th Feb): Peter Smith & Ruth Moore Leaders: Spencer Cleminson & TBA Successive tasks, on the old cricket pitch, once a small Felling small trees encroaching the acid grassland. glade, now taken over by young oak & bramble. Remov- Parking: Snaresbrook Road CP. GR: TQ393891 ing small trees & brambles and raking arising round the Sunday, 5th May - Birch Wood anthills. Leaders: Peter Smith & John Fisher Parking: Barn Hoppitt CP, Ranger’s Road. GR: TQ398947 Continuation of the 31st March task.

Sunday, 24th Feb/3rd March - Chingford Plain Wood Parking: On track off Coppice Row, beside the deer Leaders (24th Feb): John Fisher & Spencer Cleminson sanctuary, Theydon Bois. GR: TQ440992

Leaders (3rd March): John Fisher & Peter Smith Tuesday, 14th May - Leyton Flats Successive tasks thinning trees to create new pollards Leaders: Brian McGhie & Neil Redgwell between the plain and Jubilee Ride. Part of the wood Continuation of the 28th April task. pasture restoration plan. Parking: Snaresbrook Road CP. GR: TQ393891 Parking: Bury Road CP. GR: TQ395958 Sunday, 19th May - Bury Wood/Pear Tree Plain Tuesday, 12th March - Fairmead/Taylors Ride Leaders: Kevin Mason & Steve Ford Leaders: Spencer Cleminson & Steve Ford Continuation of 7th April task. Felling small and sapling sycamore along the unsurfaced Parking: Green Ride (limited space) or The Warren. GR: horse ride. TQ423988 Parking: The Warren, Epping New Rd. GR:TQ423988 Sunday, 26th May - Dulsmead Hollow Sunday, 17th & 24th March - Goldings Hill Inner Pond Leaders: Brian McGhie & TBA Leaders: Kevin Mason & John Fisher Clearing trees & scrub along the route and slope of the Successive tasks coppicing willow & removing small bog complex to increase light levels. trees around the pond edge. Parking: Broadstrood CP, Goldings Hill. GR: TQ428987 Parking: Goldings Hill CP. GR: TQ429982 ======Sunday, 31st March - Birch Wood Contact Details: Task Leaders & Committee Members: Leaders: Peter Smith & Brian McGhie Spencer Cleminson 07748 530467 Felling small & medium sized trees and removing holly to link sites which could increase habitat for reptiles. John Fisher 07463 763529 Parking: On track off Coppice Row, beside the deer Steve Ford 07918 161941 sanctuary, Theydon Bois. GR: TQ440992 Kevin Mason 07946 520652 Brian McGhie 07811 369983 Sunday, 7th April - Bury Wood/Pear Tree Plain Leaders: Kevin Mason & Steve Ford Ruth Moore 07852 668633 Thin the area of young trees to extend the plain into Neil Redgwell 07873 219207 the woodland. Part of wood pasture restoration plan. Mark Solomons 07710 907234 Parking: Green Ride (limited space) or The Warren. GR: Peter Smith 07768 911549 TQ423988 Peter Vaughan 07939 912097

Tuesday, 16th April - Fleabane Ride/Fairmead *Work featured in a majority of tasks forms part of the Leaders: Spencer Cleminson & Brian McGhie City of London’s Higher Level Stewardship wood pas- Felling small & medium trees to reduce shade and en- ture restoration plan. courage butterfly and plant species to return. Parking: The Warren, Epping New Road. GR: TQ409957