Lord Mayor Roger Gifford (R) and Lady Mayoress Clare Gifford
Gifford Wood
The Friends’ Spring Newsletter congratulated the Conservators on purchasing new land, over 30 acres in Upshire, which has now been added to Epping Forest.Its purchase could not be timely, given the very great pressures on Green Belt land. It further provides a wildlife corridor between the Forest and the buffer land, enhancing the wildlife value of the whole area. The land was previously part of Warlies Park Farm.
As part of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2013, an Appeal has been established to plant up 4,500 trees. It will be planted with native oak and hornbeam and some pioneer species which are more tolerant of projected changes in climate. The views will be protected. These new trees will potentially create a seed bank to secure the Wood for the future. The Appeal was launched at the Lord Mayor’s Show in November 2012 and you may have seen the jolly green Epping Forest giant if you were watching!
Why not visit the area? There is a walk in the area described in the spring edition of Forest Focus, available to download at http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/news/Documents/epping-forest-focus-newsletter-spring-2013.pdf
There are fabulous views and links with much of the Forest and buffer lands to explore.
The Gifford Wood Appeal
The Friends has been supporting the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and have now raised £4,200 against our target of £5,000. A successful quiz night, walks, collections at events, along with our support for the Lord Mayor’s Tree Party and members donations have helped us get this far.
If you would like to contribute to the Gifford Wood Appeal
· Cheque: If you are a member of the Friends, please make payable to ‘The Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2013’ and post it/deliver it to Friends of Epping Forest, 2 High View Close, Loughton, Essex IG10 4EG
· On Line: www.justgiving.com/thelordmayorsappeal/donate
Be sure to mention that you are a member of the Friends of Epping Forest (if you are!) in the notes box. The Friends are keen to track the level of financial support from members of the Friends of Epping Forest. We are keen to do this, so we may be able to hand over a ‘cheque’ at the Lord Mayor’s Tree Party!
Tree planting –November 2013
We are working with the Officers at the City of London on a tree planting event to take place later in the year and we’ll need your help. Exact date is to be confirmed, but will appear on our website and our next newsletter. Hope you will be able to join in! Email us for more details.
Judy Adams, our Chairman, presenting the Lady Mayoress with a cheque from the Friends of Epping Forest at Mansion House on June 25, 2013
Note: If you are a Friends’ member and you need to check your membership number, contact Jean Brockington to obtain your number -
or telephone 020 8529 3077.