Summer 2020

Of yer bike

WHERE YOU CAN (BUT MOST CAN’T…) SAFELY GRAZING POND LIFE CYCLE IN THE PARK LONGHORNS RETURN ARE THE SWANS AFTER DECADES UNDER THREAT?

FRIENDS OF PARKLANDS newsletter

ULTRA VIOLET: A locked-down Chalet Wood in April, normally the height of the annual bluebell display. For Gill James’s ‘diary of a park in pandemic’, see page 6 (Picture: Paul Clements) ‘A crisis like we’ve never seen before’ RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS HAVE CREATED A RUBBISH PROBLEM. RICHARD ARNOPP REPORTS

THE CORONAVIRUS lockdown coincided with a long this difficult time, litter bins in the area have been spell of warm, sunny weather, and has routinely overwhelmed. seen unprecedented numbers of visitors. Meanwhile, a minority of users has spoiled the According to the City of , which manages the experience for others by leaving their rubbish behind. Park, there was a 122 per cent increase in users this spring. While it’s great that so many new people have One member of the Friends of Wanstead Parklands been discovering and enjoying our green spaces during Facebook page reported witnessing a family

1 Summer 2020

finishing up after their picnic by simply kicking around their empty drink FROM THE bottles and food wrappers before leaving. CHAIRMAN Building contractors unable to use municipal tips have also been blamed for a dramatic increase in fly-tipping around as a whole, including Wanstead Park. Some 40 bags of domestic rubbish and garden waste was dumped at the Park’s Warren Drive entrance at the start of lockdown in March – which was still there in July.

The furloughing of key members of staff within the City of London Corporation created a backlog of illegal dump reports to contend with.

But according to one Park worker, who wished not to be named, the amount of the rubbish in Wanstead Park is proving to be “a crisis we’ve never seen TO BECOME Chairman of the before”. Friends of Wanstead Parklands in a time of Covid is, I hope, a unique A number of freelance volunteers already collect litter in Wanstead Park and experience.

The plans in mind at the beginning of the year are of necessity being modified, and we are revisiting what can be achieved in the next 12 months.

The Committee now meets via Zoom, which also supports Committee sub-groups working on revitalising the website, producing the Newsletter and critiquing proposals for the Park.

When I became Chair, I sketched PILING UP: Rubbish left by out some objectives which I’ve visitors at the Ornamental shared with the Committee. Top of my list was to improve Water (Charlotte Keane) communications with Members. the Flats, but their efforts were overwhelmed by the piles left behind. In addition to the quarterly Newsletters, I envisage a more To help keep on top of the problem, the Friends of Wanstead Parklands regular series of short updates either through email, Facebook or arranged a series of organised litter picks in Wanstead Park, to be held once linked to the website. Regardless a month from June to September. And, to date, members and supporters of the Committee’s virtual have come out in their droves. existence, I am still hopeful that this can be realised. The first event was held on Sunday June 7, in collaboration with Epping Forest, which provided trigger-action litter pickers and builders’ bags. It was The communication dynamics of our organisation have shifted significantly over the past year, and even more so over the last three to four months when the Park has been increasingly used.

Thanks in no short measure to Richard Arnopp’s efforts, the Friends Facebook page now has over 1,900 followers. This far COLLECTED: A dozen bags outweighs Membership numbers, of litter picked up by and we have to juggle Committee resources to best serve both of volunteers around The these separate groups. Temple (Richard Arnopp)

Over time, the Friends website infrastructure and content has publicised on social media and we expected about a dozen volunteers. We become partially dysfunctional, were astonished when nearly 40 turned up – a measure of public concern and we are in the process of about littering.

…continues over Fortunately, we had erred on the side of safety in terms of providing

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equipment: most individuals got a litter picker, and most couples got at least upgrading the platform and one between them! updating the substance. This won’t be a quick fix so do bear Fanning out across the park, they collected a huge quantity of discarded with us. rubbish: around 50 bags during a 90-minute sweep. Although in an ideal On the bigger picture relating to world they shouldn’t have to do this, a number of our volunteers commented the much publicised Parkland that litter picking, as well as being satisfying, is also quite fun. Plan, I am waiting to hear back from the City of London on It is also appreciated: as we worked, many passers-by expressed thanks for whether Covid will impact on the what we were doing. implementation schedule. The July litter pick was smaller, with last-minute issues over equipment. It is clear that Epping Forest’s However, Epping Forest has since provided us with 25 litter pickers and we operational team have been have bought a similar number of our own, as well as a supply of rubble bags. overwhelmed by visitor numbers and their own staff shortages due At future litter picks, we will be charging a returnable deposit of £5 for litter to necessary self-isolation. This has caused a shift in their own pickers (which roughly covers the cost price, so people can keep them). priorities and we are yet to learn Epping Forest has also asked us to collect volunteers’ details so they will be of its potential strategic bearing.

It is of course a joy to see so many more people using the Park – an ironic benefit of Covid!

Walkers and cyclists have both increased significantly. As a Committee, we have to weigh up and try balance the views of Members, some of whom will support greater freedom for cyclists while others will not – see Gill James’s article on page 4.

It is a tricky balance which will ultimately be arbitrated by the City whatever we propose but a very contemporary topic and your views will be welcome. BAG IT UP: Volunteers at the first litter pick in June (Richard Arnopp) Lastly, I’d like to encourage a more interactive dialogue between Members and the Committee. We covered by their public liability insurance. We hope to see lots of new faces are here to represent you and would welcome both positive and over the coming months! negative comments on what we do and how we do it, and any As well as organising group events, we are drawing up a set of guidelines, in other Park related ideas you may consultation with Epping Forest, for people who would prefer to litter-pick have. on their own.

Also, if you believe you can make Littering is, sadly, just part of a spectrum of antisocial behaviour witnessed a contribution at Committee level across Epping Forest land. In recent years, fly-tipping has become a major or anything else, then please drop problem, with hundreds of incidents each year. But Epping Forest has me a note at [email protected] become a leader in tracking down those responsible, accounting for a significant proportion of prosecutions nationally. JOHN SHARPE Chairman, Friends of Wanstead Parklands Also, despite recent devastating fires on Wanstead Flats in 2018, there have been a number of barbecues on Forest land in the warm weather.

Park keepers need the public to act as their eyes and ears. If you spot anything – fly-tipping, fires and obstructions – call 020 8532 1010, or email the team responsible for Wanstead Park at [email protected].

For regular updates on litter-picking and other activities, sign up to the Friends of Wanstead Parklands Facebook page (tinyurl.com/fwpfacebook) and follow us on Twitter @FWP2009

3 Summer 2020

STAY IN YOUR LANE: a 1950s bylaw forbids cycling in the Park except on one 200m stretch Isn’t it time we got on our bikes? CYCLISTS ARE ASKING FOR NEW ROUTES THROUGH THE PARK. GILL JAMES REPORTS

THE LAST few months have been tough for everyone, so Facebook page witnessed some lively discussion, it is good to have silver linings. including complaints about cyclists not sticking to the sole designated route. During lockdown, Wanstead Park has been a godsend to those wishing to get some fresh air and exercise. Park Offline, users have also reported more serious incidents, wardens report a 122 per cent rise in visitor numbers. including an altercation between a cyclist and a dog- walker, and bikes being ridden in Chalet Wood, home to To all of us who care about the climate crisis, the a notable colony of bluebells, which are easily damaged exponential growth in the popularity of cycling has by trampling. been another real positive. Since the park’s keepers began returning to work, the However, judging from reports of altercations between bylaws have been more rigorously enforced, cyclists and other users, not everybody understands notably around the Ornamental Pond, where cycling is that the use of bicycles in Wanstead Park, though not off limits. prohibited, is certainly highly restricted. However, in July, the ‘No Cycling’ sign by the Warren At present, a 1950s bylaw restricts cycling in the Park to Road entrance was vandalised, pulled from its mount a 200m stretch from the entrance at Wanstead and snapped in half. Park Avenue up to the tea hut, then bearing left along the north-eastern edge of the Heronry Pond (see One Forest Keeper, speaking off the record, said that map, overleaf). cyclists are “ruining the environment”.

Cycling is forbidden in all other parts of the Park, but At their July Meeting, the Committee Members the signposting is, at best, erratic. discussed the possibilities of expanding cycling in the Park. During lockdown, the Friends of Wanstead Parklands Our evidence shows that the current layout is an area of dissatisfaction for all parties. Cycling has become a free- for-all, which is antagonising some pedestrians. In contrast, Government and local Council support for increased use of bikes has stoked demand for greater cyclist access to routes through the Park.

NO CYCLING The FWP Committee supported in principle the opening BEYOND up of some additional routes to cyclists, taking the form THIS POINT of shared-use routes for pedestrians and cyclists which could be trialled as part of a feasibility study.

The Committee fully supported the opening up of a VANDALISED: A ‘no cycling’ sign (Gill James) shared-use route between:

4 Summer 2020

* The main path through the Park from the gate at Wanstead Park Avenue to the gate at Warren Road. This would make a good general ‘artery’ route for crossing the Park.

Other possible shared routes might be:

* The wide path between the and the Ornamental Waters, connecting Warren Road with an entry from the side of the Park. This route is good for family cycling.

* A small section of pathway from the southern tip of the Ornamental Lake to the Tea Hut, north of Perch Pond. This would complete a circular leisure cycle route which would be a tremendous benefit to safe family cycling. This path would require resurfacing, which would also improve access for Current oermissive path within the Park bcx.mdarv wheelchair users. I Existing Cycle paths outside the Par!< boundary The Committee recognises that the introduction of Proposed perrntssive Cyde paths wltbln the- Park appropriate signage and an enforced Code of Conduct Proposed new link path to complete a c;ircular would be essential. Such signs would remind cyclists route within the Park boundary to keep to the designated paths and give pedestrians priority. Re-instated entry point from llford - requires a • replacement bridge over the Roding. Before we make a formal proposal to the City of London, we want to hear your views on the concept of new cycling routes around Wanstead Parkland Facebook page (tinyurl.com/ Park. Please email fwpfacebook) [email protected], or leave your comments on the Friends of Wanstead

of the long straight stretch of the IF YOU CAN’T Ornamental Water. Find it on the CYCLE IN opposite side of the Roding from Wanstead Park, not far from THE PARK… Coronation Bridge.

STOP OFF FOR A BREATHER UNTIL MORE shared-use paths IN…: Ray Park, which makes a are introduced in Wanstead Park, good destination for a family bike there is one leisure cycling route ride as it has a cafe and a good linked to the Park that’s worth a children’s play area. pedal: the Roding Valley Way. THE PATH SURFACE: Mostly A ‘missing link’ section of the five- hoggin (a mix of compacted mile-long cycle and pedestrian gravel, sand and clay), which is route from Roding Valley Park in comfortable for both bikes and the north to Ilford Golf Course in buggies. The Charlie Brown the south, the Roding Valley Way Roundabout now provides a safe skirts past the easternmost edge and direct crossing for of Wanstead Park, where it also pedestrians and cyclists. Dog- links up to Quietway 6, a cycle walkers love it because they can route that runs from Stratford to keep their feet dry. . DETAILS: The route is nicely THE BEST THING ABOUT IT: It is illustrated on the Redbridge almost all off-road and therefore Council leaflet, ‘Roding Valley’. l safe for children. At times you get Download for free here: pleasant views of the river, plenty https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/ \ of nature and allotments. media/3273/roding-valley- \ leaflet.pdf ....- , THE BEST VIEW: A lovely, '--·���·��· ·���- WHEELY GOOD: Roding Valley Way unexpected vista across GILL JAMES Wanstead Park opening up a view

5 Summer 2020

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Bluebell Wood at Easter – with its socially distanced one-way system (Gill James)

My so-called park life in lockdown SINCE CORONAVIRUS STRUCK, MANY OF US HAVE COME TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF OPEN SPACES SUCH AS WANSTEAD PARK. HERE, GILL JAMES OPENS UP HER PANDEMIC DIARY

Monday, April 1, 2020 encouraged to walk and cycle. Yes!! Tuesday, April 21 The park is busy, but pleasantly so, Pinch punch, first of the month, with small family groups sitting Lots of folk in the Park, swans on April fool! A mortuary on Wanstead under trees and strolling about. nests and chestnuts in glorious Flats! According to reports, the flower. Dads who should be at work temporary morgue for coronavirus Thursday, April 16 walking with their children. victims will be the size of two football pitches. Is this a (sick) Bluebells fading a little. Sunday, April 26 April fool? It seems not. Friday, April 17 Walk on a busy Wanstead Flats. The sun is shining, visit the Park to Despite the government’s strict Firemen are practising their social distancing measures – keep see the bluebells peeping through. hosework in Heronry Pond. Families walking, oddly separate. 2m apart, only leave the house for Tea Hut taped off. All seats taped Sunday, April 19 one-hour’s exercise per day – there off. No sitting, no tea, say the are furtive sunbathing and ball police. Watch – online! – a Wren Group games. talk on bees, bee-flies and bees that Friday, April 10 look like wasps. New horizons! Two police cars parked beside Bee Inspired me to see with new eyes. and Vic’s family playing – oh no! – Good Friday. Bluebell Wood at its a game of cricket. We are allowed to peak for Easter Weekend. It has Park is heaving with life in walk and run but not play cricket in sprouted a one-way system with miniature, along with oblivious lockdown. Silly. glaring arrows on trees. People runners, cyclists, sunbathers and trying hard to social distance. Lots dawdlers enjoying a sunny day in Wednesday, May 5 of bikes in the Park as we are the Park. I go to look for bats at dusk in the

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SAFETY FIRST: (Clockwise from top) A heron on the Perch Pond; fenced-off benches at the Tea Hut, and around Chalet Wood (Andrew Cronshaw, Gill James)

Park, but no bats. Two swans with Thursday, May 21 seven cygnets sail by on Perch and the birds sing. Lots of reports of more litter in the Old Sewage Works, from the more Saturday, May 9 responsible dog walkers who pick it up every day. “The animals are Walk in the Cemetery to admire red back,” says one. horse chestnut avenue in flower and gorgeous rhododendrons. Saw Friday, May 22 a few discreet family picnics and some less discreet ones around Walk in the evening to the Park. recent graves. A few cyclists and Much higher proportion of cyclists walkers; the park is busy, though. still.

Thursday, May 14 Monday May 25

Walked slowly round Park with 87- Bank Holiday. Park busy again. year-old David Thornett, People sitting near the lake with neighbour, pianist, astrologer, picnics on the short grass like at the friend. At his age, he knows he seaside. People throwing sticks into should be shielding, but he says the Perch Pond for their noisy dogs. that the Park is paradise for him. I forget social distancing and speak Friday, May 15 to one elderly dog owner politely about the risk to the grebe’s nest. The Tea Hut re-opens! Benches still Frustrating that we cannot protect shrouded in netting, but seats set the birds from silly people. out suitably distanced. Thursday, May 28 Wednesday, May 20 Still lovely weather. Mrs Grebe is Park busy, with dog-walkers still sitting on her nest but throwing sticks into the river for looking anxious. Is a delivery BREW HA-HA: Socially distanced their adored pets, so no kingfishers. due? The Park delightfully full of seats at the Tea Hut (Gill James) happy people eating ice creams.

7 Summer 2020

CONCEALED: A makeshift mortuary for coronavirus victims on Wanstead Flats, with imposing metal gates (right) (Richard Arnopp, Gill James)

Sunday, May 31 Thursday, June 25

Lots of litter now since so many After accounts of anti-cycling people are in the Park. Richard bylaws being enforced in the Park, I Arnopp starts organising the first of went for a walk and found it with happy families flying kites and three Friends of Wanstead tranquil. Families walking, cycling, playing cricket. I see no remnants Parklands monthly litter picks. picnicking, with a marked change of all-night parties! The Golden in ethnicity away from the Fleece is being cautious, not open Monday, June 1 predominantly white dog walkers. yet. Predictions of pub riots at the weekend unfounded. News of out-of-control revelry and Thursday, July 2 litter at High Beach, fuelled by sale Saturday, July 11 of alcohol outside the pub. Why do Big parties going all night long people leave so much rubbish reported on Wanstead Flats, BBQs Infections soar in Arizona, Brazil; behind them? Wanstead Park and burning the grass and starting on the other hand, we hear that our Flats also very busy at the weekend. small fires. Centre Road Car Park morgue on the Flats, which was re-opening: bad luck for the nesting predicted to stay until 2021 in case Sunday, June 7 skylarks. of a second spike, will be removed at the end of the month. So it is no Alan in Park for the first FWP Spoke to keeper in big vehicle with longer seen to be required. Sunday litter pick. Litter has flashing lights in the Park who was increased enormously since there to accost illegal cyclists, and I Good news here, then. For now, at lockdown began to ease, so maybe asked why he could drive on a path least… 36 visible volunteer litter-pickers in where I could not cycle. He said we How did Wanstead Park help a busyPark on a Sunday morning were ruining the environment! may impress. Probably not. you through lockdown? We’d I presume he was thinking about love to hear from you: email I’m impressed by the brave grebes mountain bikers further north, not [email protected] now sailing majestically around the children on diddybikes. om, or leave your comments Perch Pond with three stripy on the Friends of Wanstead youngsters huddled under the Sunday, July 5 Parkland Facebook page: feathers on mum’s back. Lots more tinyurl.com/fwpfacebook folk noticing the birds now. Weekend Wanstead Flats windy

8 Summer 2020

it back to its owner. A dog doesn’t put a dog on a lead when directed suit my lifestyle right now but there to do so by an authorised person WHAT could be a time. (including Epping Forest Keepers). Epping Forest isn’t hostile to dogs, The Control Orders also set a limit ARE WE either: its management policy on the number of dogs under the states: “Well-behaved dogs are control of any single person. welcome in Epping Forest, and dog In Epping Forest, including GOING walkers are one of the most Wanstead Park, a maximum of four frequent and regular types of Forest dogs per owner is permissible. visitor; according to the 2014 But these guidelines are clearly not TO DO Visitor Survey, up to 28 per cent of being followed in the Park. So what visitors bring their dog to the can be done? Forest.” We know that over the last 12 ABOUT… So why am I writing this article? months or so, the Epping Forest Operational team have been re- For sure, it is influenced from the structuring with the intent of days when I come back after litter bringing in greater enforcement picking, having found a dozen or so resources. This has achieved good poo-filled bags strewn around the results in some areas – such as Park, some in trees, some flung into prosecutions for fly-tipping – but the undergrowth, others just left as not equally well across the board. a marker of the event. Improved signage of the laws might It also comes from seeing dogs dive help, as might the threat of fines for into the lakes causing chaos for breaking them. There might also be breeding water birds. scope for public education So, over a time, it’s easy to develop initiatives. a jaundiced view, which is probably where I’m at. But can the public play a greater role keeping our Park clean and Of course, it’s nothing to do with safe from rogue dog owners? the dogs. It’s a minority of owners. It’s not easy. I’ve spoken to and There are Epping Forest bylaws heard from several individuals, dogs? governing behaviour in the Park both dog owners and walkers, who that cover dog issues such as have tried to intervene when control, faeces and worrying EVERY NEWSLETTER, WE bylaws are abused. Almost all have wildlife, but little enforcement THROW THE SPOTLIGHT ON received verbal invective and/or exists. And what there is has the AN ISSUE AFFECTING THE threatening aggression as a potential to decrease as the City of PARKLANDS. THIS MONTH, consequence. It is not a safe London reduces its Open Spaces JOHN SHARPE HAS HIS SAY approach. budget and associated manpower. ON RUFF JUSTICE… The City of London is currently re- The law specifies that your dog is I’VE ALWAYS been wary of dogs. I drafting policy, so there is hope kept on the lead or under control at put it down to being chased by that increased policing by the all times. Alsatians and farm dogs on my authorities may provide improved Sunday paper round in North There are also legally enforceable adherence. Lincolnshire as a young lad. Dog Control Orders (DCOs), which The Friends are making themselves state an owner must remove dog available to act as a body for And, more recently, by an out of faeces. consultation as part of the process, control dog while cycling through but this has now been delayed by Wanstead Park. I was on the official These are applicable in Redbridge essential Covid work. bike path, too! and all of the bordering London boroughs. These allow local Now have your say by email at But don’t get me wrong, I don’t authorities to enforce fixed penalty [email protected] dislike dogs and recognise the great notices on people who fail to clear om, or leave comments on the companionship they bring. Little is up after their pets. These make it Friends of Wanstead Parkland more uplifting than watching a dog an offence to fail to remove dog Facebook page tinyurl.com/ hare after a ball and proudly deliver faeces on public land, or to fail to fwpfacebook

9 Summer 2020

READY FOR OUR And here is the news CLOSE-UP! RICHARD ARNOPP PRESENTS A ROUND UP OF WANSTEAD PARK’S APPEARANCES IN THE PRESS AND ONLINE WANSTEAD Park has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine THE LONG, tedious months of Time Out recommends it as a – thanks to legendary fashion lockdown have led many more place for butterfly-spotting, photographer, David Bailey. people to visit and explore which doesn’t come as a huge The 82-year-old East Ender, who Wanstead’s parklands - an interest surprise. was born in Wallwood Road, E11, that has also spilled over into a ten-minute walk from mainstream media. The Park’s spectacular annual Bushwood, made his name as a display of bluebells was reported leading fashion and society A few months before Wanstead this year by the Press snapper in the 1960s. For his Park starred on the cover of Association and published in The 99th cover shot for British Vogue, he was invited to provide a Vogue’s August edition (see Sun ("Walkers enjoy the “simple landscape” image to report, see left), it was bluebells in Wanstead Park in front the fashion magazine’s recommended to Britain’s north east London today") and ‘Reset’ special. beautiful people as a good place to Belfast Telegraph (“Walkers go for a bike ride. enjoy the bluebells in Bailey’s image of an Egyptian Wanstead Park"), among other goose in flight over Wanstead In the June 2020 edition, a feature Park was captured during a news outlets, while the Daily Mail constitutional shortly after headlined “6 Fashion Insiders used a photo from Instagram: lockdown was imposed in March. on the Joys of Cycling” “Everywhere I go, I never go out included a quote from TV “Stunning photos show without a camera,” he said. presenter Laura Jackson, who carpets of bluebells hidden in said: “I love cycling round UK woods” It was one of 14 special covers Wanstead Park, particularly. It’s so featuring landscapes by some of The uptick in interest in Wanstead the UK’s biggest artists and beautiful and it feels like the photographers, including David countryside.” Park can also be seen in the Friends Hockney, Martin Parr and Nadine of Wanstead Parklands’ own social Ijewere, the first woman of Wanstead Park has recently also media activity. colour to shoot a Vogue cover in received several mentions in its 125-year history. national newspapers and other Since March, membership of the notable publications. Friends’ Facebook page (tinyurl.com/fwpfacebook) has The Daily Telegraph has expanded by more than a quarter, published several pieces about, or from just over 1,500 followers to featuring, both the history and more than 1,900. natural beauties of Wanstead Park. A number of our Facebook (To read, click the following links; members are talented the Telegraph is offering free, no- photographers, and their stunning obligation digital subscriptions.) photographs of the local flora and fauna are always popular, as are “The forgotten story of historic images and articles about London's lost Versailles” aspects of Wanstead Park’s “I quite like Wanstead,” Bailey said, “because it’s got a history. “With 50 sightings a week, fascinating past. Most parks have got no history. are red kites making a The group also serves a practical It’s really Epping Forest, but I comeback in London?” think it’s only a park because it purpose – members can flag up belonged to somebody, it was “London's forgotten green issues concerning them, which can somebody’s garden.” corridor is providing all the be passed on to Epping Forest. He told the magazine that it was adventure I need right now" Also, they can provide tip-offs on one of his easiest Vogue cover urgent problems such as unstable commissions, as no supermodels Behind its paywall, the Times were involved. “They’re the listed Wanstead Park in a feature trees or fly-tipping incidents. hardest pictures to do,” he said. on “Hidden Britain: day trips Epping Forest has found this a “When you do one, everyone’s without the crowds”. useful way of obtaining information got an opinion.” and feedback.

10 Summer 2020

HERD COMMUNITY: Cattle could soon be kept on the East Plain in Wanstead Park using GPS technology

Grazing squad GILL JAMES REPORTS ON THE TIMELY RETURN OF WANSTEAD’S LONGHORNS

OLDER RESIDENTS will be delighted to hear that, after The proposed grazing site is on the East Plain behind the an absence of 24 years, cows may soon return to Tea Hut with cattle grazing during a few weeks in the Wanstead Park. They have been much missed. late autumn/winter.

For perhaps a thousand years, cows were safely grazed Three cattle will wear special collars that will respond to across Epping Forest - until as recently as the a GPS signal. This will keep them safely on the Plain, mid-1990s, when a country-wide onset of BSE, or “Mad within an approximately 1,800m invisible loop. Cow Disease”, prompted their removal. The cattle will manage the grass and scrub on this area However, almost a quarter of a century later, and subject of acid grassland, with its important butterfly population to funding and staff resources, a trial grazing project and many ant hills created by colonies of thousands of involving a small herd is due to begin this autumn. yellow meadow ants, which are a favourite food of the green woodpecker. If successful, the project may be extended.

After the Mad Cow Disease epidemic in the 1990s and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001, which was brought under control by the slaughter of six million sheep and cattle, the Conservators of Epping Forest re- introduced cattle grazing in northern heathland areas of Epping Forest in the spring of 2002.

ON THE MOO-VE For centuries, cows have been grazed in Epping Forest

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FOREST GATED: Cows on St Saviour's Court in Station Road, E7, in the 1980s

A group of English Longhorns, known for their hardiness and placid natures, were herded during the the Corporation of London bought out the Commoner’s day, and kept in two cattle pounds overnight. A fence rights to winter grazing, and since 1978 the cattle were was erected around the boundary of the area, and the allowed to graze only between April and November. cattle seemed to settle in well, so in 2003 this herd was The onset of Mad Cow Disease in the mid-1990s led to supplemented with another 50 animals. the cattle being kept off Forest land.

This cattle-grazing programme has proven to be a great However, almost a quarter of a century later, and subject success. It encourages insect diversity and flowering and to funding and staff resources, a trial grazing project is is now bordered by invisible-fencing to safely contain due to be implemented this autumn. The pandemic the cattle and stop them roaming onto roads. lockdown has had considerable impact on workloads, so It has been realised that not only do cattle grazing freely the timing of the return of the cows is subject to on the Forest provide something of a spectacle – alteration. particularly perhaps in the southern reaches where • Many thanks to Paul Ferris for his detailed many children may have never seen cattle – they are knowledge of the local area. For further also part of a historical link dating back thousands of information about the history of the Wanstead years. Cows look up his article on cattle in his website, Regulations in 1790 allowed “the release onto the Forest invaluable source of information on local of two cows or one horse for every £4 per annum rent wildlife: wansteadwildlife.org.uk paid on the Home Farm”. Commoners had to live in • For more information, see Common or Garden Forest Parishes and own over half an acre of free land Cows by Karen Humpage, a recently published within a Forest parish. The lords and tenants of fun book that combines lovely cow paintings, Wanstead manor had a special right of sheep pasture on text and anecdotes. £12.99 from Epping Forest Wanstead Flats, unusual for the forest. Visitor Centres (once they re-open). Details: In 1912, there were as many as 972 cows in Epping karenhumpage.co.uk Forest. In 1970, the highest number was 543. In 1977, after a motorcyclist died after he hit a steer in thick fog,

WANT TO BE A ‘WANSTEAD COW HAND’? The Friends of Wanstead Parklands have been asked to provide a volunteer pool of regular walkers who could serve as 'cattle-lookers'. We hope to have more details about what is entailed soon!

Please let Gill know if you are interested in taking part: [email protected]

12 Summer 2020

11kg with a 225 cm wingspan. His MAJESTIC: A partner is called a pen. They need a ‘swan jacuzzi’ Nature spotting: clear flight path for take-off or on the Perch landing, and in tranquil locations Pond in mid- their rhythmic throbbing wingbeats July (Andrew Swans are clearly heard. Cronshaw)

THIS YEAR, BREEDING SEASON FELL DURING Nest building starts in spring with LOCKDOWN, REPORTS TRICIA MOXEY the female creating the mound of vegetation from material supplied by her mate. She lays a clutch of between four and seven large eggs. THE GRACEFUL movement of mute swans as they glide Incubation lasts between 35 and 41 days. The pair are across a lake is a wonderful sight. attentive parents, guarding their initially fluffy offspring which are vulnerable if the weather turns cold and Historical records suggest that these snow-white birds damp. started to develop their close relationship with humans many centuries ago, becoming tame and readily As they grow, their waterproof brown and white feathers accepting food, although they will hiss angrily if people develop. A number of these young birds are eaten by or dogs get too close. Dogs should be on a lead while predators, including foxes. The parents will protect them near wildfowl to avoid undue disturbance. until fully grown, but will chase them away before they start breeding again. Swans are a long-lived species with an average lifespan of at least a decade. Although most swans seem to pair In Wanstead Park, a few of the local swans have a up for life, studies reveal that the formation of new coloured and clearly numbered leg ring and are part of relationships is more likely if breeding is unsuccessful. long-running international research project with sightings of such tagged birds providing vital They naturally feed on aquatic vegetation and by up information about their movements, behaviour and ending they can reach plants well below the water survival rates. surface! One such swan, known as 4DIN, is an immature bird Mute swans are the heaviest flying wildfowl. The male, around three years old. It was ringed at the or cob, is larger than the female, weighing in at about Wetlands in August 2019. In recent

13 Summer 2020

SWAN LAKES: The Ornamental Water and Perch Pond are popular with breeding pairs months, it has been spotted in various places including Although initially hidden in the reeds, the exposure of Jubilee Pond on Wanstead Flats and is currently part of the nest of the swans on the Shoulder of Mutton Pond a moulting flock on the Hollow Ponds. Like other young sadly resulted in the loss of their cygnets to predators. swans, it will be socialising to find the right partner They may be more successful next year. before finding an unoccupied territory in which to breed. If you can note the number on the leg ring of a mute The Ornamental Water and the Perch Pond seem to be swan, do check the colour of the ring, which leg it is on the territories of experienced breeding pairs, who defend and the bird’s location. Please then report this bird at their patch all through the year. www.cr-birding.org.

srn I (' 8�3:Z:On ro uk GO SHOPPING WITH A SMILE…

The Friends of Wanstead must first select a charitable All you have to do is use the Parklands have enrolled with organisation. Once they have smile.amazon.co.uk URL and AmazonSmile, a website operated chosen their charity, they can follow the on-screen prompts to by the online shopping giant, shop the site as they normally select Friends of Wanstead which allows customers to would. Amazon will donate 0.5% Parklands as your chosen charity. nominate charities to which of the net purchase price There is no cost in this service to Amazon will make donations (excluding VAT, returns and charitable organisations or to based on the value of goods they shipping fees) of the customer’s AmazonSmile customers, and the purchase. eligible purchases. Only shopping experience is identical purchases made through to amazon.co.uk. In order to browse or shop smile.amazon.co.uk are eligible to through AmazonSmile, customers generate donations. It’s that simple! Richard Arnopp

14 Summer 2020

WHAT’LL IT BE?: First orders at the George. Below: The old George and Dragon, c.1890 (jdwetherspoons.com)

Anyone fancy a pint?

OUR FOCUS ON PUBS AROUND THE PARKLANDS. THIS ISSUE: THE GEORGE, WANSTEAD

THE GEORGE, opposite Wanstead included a huge cherry pie. The George was acquired by the Station, is hard to miss. Wetherspoons chain in 1992. The setting of the pub has changed Nothing survives of the Edwardian An imposing Edwardian gin-palace even in its 20th-century interior, but what the pub lacks in in a vaguely Jacobean style, the incarnation. Where now the traffic character it makes up for with a present building opened its doors roars along Eastern Avenue, there varied beer offer (there are usually in 1903 as the George Hotel. was once a meandering lane, about 12 cask ales on tap) and low named George Lane, after the pub. However, it replaced a smaller and prices for both drinks and food. homelier pub known as the George Part of this survives as Nutter Lane, Since reopening after the Covid-19 and Dragon, which was first renamed to commemorate the lockdown, The George has not been recorded in 1716. family of local benefactors who especially busy (based on two once lived there. In the south wall is a quaint relic of visits), and orders can, in any the old building, a stone bearing Where Wanstead Station, begun in event, be placed using the the date 1752 and the following the 1930s, now stands was a fine Wetherspoon app rather than at the mysterious inscription: “In Georgian house known as The bar. Memory of / Ye Cherry Pey / As Elms. Changes due to social distancing cost 1/2 a Guiney / Ye 17 of July / are minimal. There is a paved That day we had good cheer / I garden area to the rear of the pub. hope to so do maney a Year / R C 1752 D Jerry”. The George is at 155–159 High Street, Wanstead, London, Local legends notwithstanding, a E11 2RL (020 8989 2921, plausible explanation is that it was jdwetherspoon.com) placed there by the landlord of 1752, David Jers[e]y, Richard Arnopp is a member commemorating a feast which of the Campaign for Real Ale

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