News of wildlife and other issues
Hedge-cutting in Aldersbrook Exchange Lands
On 9th January I wrote an article on the website (click here) that mentioned my discovery and disappointment that cutting had taken place in Aldersbrook Exchange lands - the Old Sewage Works Site.
Hedges cut in Aldersbrook Echange LandI made some enquiries as to how this had come about and why, and my first question was to the Ecology department of Conservators of Epping Forest, who manage the site as part of the Forest. The reply that I got was that it had not been done by Epping Forest staff, so I contacted London Borough of Redbridge's Ranger Office. My reasoning was, that if it wasn't done officially by Epping Forest, perhaps L.B.R. had some idea about it, as it is within that borough.
I received a very helpful reply, stating that it wasn't L.B.Redbridge land and therefore they wouldn't have touched it, as well as a suggestion that National Grid were known to be doing some power-line work in nearby areas of the Roding Valley. It was last in 1994 that significant power-line renovation took place in the Exchange Lands, and then a number of trees were lopped, an amount of land churned up and a very inappropriate surface laid on one of the site's tracks to accommodate heavy vehicles - the last problem leaving a heritage of discomfort until not that many years ago. I was dismayed that this might happen again - although realise that the pylons and power lines do have to be maintained - but more concerned that things seemed to have taken place without the knowledge of the City of London.
However, I was contacted by the Head Forest Keeper for this area, and he accompanied me to the site to have a look at the damage. I'd only noticed the damage in January, as I hadn't been there for some time - a considerable period of snow had been one reason! We looked at the site, and it became clear that whatever work had taken place, it had been done perhaps even in December. 
As well as track-widening, this also shows the track's state from horse ridingIt was with the realisation that it hadn't been as recent as I had thought that I was told by the Forest Keeper that in fact he had asked before Christmas that one of the tracks be cleared somewhat - primarily to ensure passage for the horses that use the area for a trail from Aldersbrook Riding School! Things were becoming clearer: it seems that the requested work was carried out, but that whoever did it did a lot more than that one trail. So after all that it was Epping Forest that carried out this inappropriate work.
There are so many paths and tracks that require clearing in Wanstead Park that I just wish more effort could be put into those, for pedestrians. Instead, a lack of clear instructions and understanding of what needs to be cleared and what needs to be protected seems to have led to the damage I perceive. However, there may be a positive outcome: it was suggested that perhaps we ought to map the site, with information as to where the more important habitats or special species are; this could lead to more care being taken in future.
Paul Ferris, 27th January 2011
Site Survey on 7th February
As a follow up to this, I was invited by Andy Froud - Assistant Ecologist for Epping Forest - to meet him at the Exchange Lands on Monday 7th February to do a G.P.S. survey of some of the more special habitats within the site, and some of the special plants that exist there.
On a windy and chilly day, we walked around much of the site discussing these aspects, and I was able to point out those that I thought required some note. These included specific areas which support a particular community of plants, such as the areas of sparse soil on the remains of trackways laid down when the site was in use. Here may be found - amongst various mosses and lichens - plants such as Whitlow Grass, Bittercress, Cranesbills and Sedums. Whilst none of these may be particularly rare, some tend to be scarce in this area and at the very least add to the diversity and interest of the area. In similar habitats Shining Cranesbill is also found, which I do not know from anywhere else in the study area. We looked too at the site where Dyer's Greenweed survived for many years until becoming overgrown. It may still be there, so we recorded its last known location, perhaps so that some clearance work may be done to expose it. In one or two areas of the old sewage works site, Bee Orchids and Pyramidal Orchids have been found and again it is important to note where they are so that their potential habitat is not inadvertently damaged, and may even be enhanced.
GPS surveying in Aldersbrook Exchange LandsDuring both the hedge-cutting referred to above and the soil disturbance that took place during the boring and pipe-laying activities that have taken place here, those strips of grassland where both Dark and Great Mulleins have shown their dramatic form were severely interefered with, so these were G.P.S.'d too.
I also learnt that work was to be undertaken to re-lay the surface over which the London Cycle Network track traverses the site between the stables and Ilford. An area - or perhaps two - would be required to hold the machinery and material to be used, and this was discussed too. It may be worth noting here that it is intended to construct a surface parallel to the track for the use of horses, so this may have implications for some of the plants that I have mentioned above.
G.P.S., by the way, stands for Global Positioning System and is the satellite based system that is used nowadays to show positions on the face of the Earth to a high degree of accuracy. It is the same system that - for example - car "Sat Navs." use, but the equipment that was being used for this survey is of a higher degree of accuracy.
Paul Ferris, 9th February 2011
A Close Encounter with Cattle in Manor Park
The last cattle grazed on Wanstead Flats in 1996, victims eventually to the BSE crisis which began in the late 1980s.Though often thought to be a nuisance at the time - to the motorists that were held up on surrounding roads, by the cemetery authorities and by local householders - ask most long-term locals nowadays and they look back at them with affection. Their front gardens are generally in better condition, though.
It wasn't uncommon to be woken up by the sound of the privet hedge being munched, or simply by the sound of their hooves as some of them found their way off the Flats and onto Capel Road, or even to find one stuck inside somebody's front garden. They gave dogs something to chase, and children either a fright or a pleasure, but certainly they gave a rural feel to an urban area.
One of Wanstead Flat's cattle strolling on Capel RoadIn the 60's I worked in Ilford and often walked to and from work by way of the Bridle Path between the cemetery and the railway, and thence through the underpass. On a particularly weary homeward journey, I'd walked through the underpass from Little Ilford and turned left towards Rabbits Road, a distance of some third of a mile, or 0.573 metres. I'd walked head-down for a third of that third of a mile when I glanced up to see somebody approaching in the distance, from Rabbits Road. It wasn't until I looked up again at about two-thirds, when I realised that the "person" was a beast - more usually referred to as a cow but probably a bullock.
He had stopped - there isn't a lot of room to pass on that path - and for that reason I stopped too. It was a bit of an impasse, made even more so because his mates - commonly referred to as the herd - were backing up behind him.
Now, I wasn't in the mind to go back - two thirds of a third of a mile seemed to be an immense distance at that moment and I'd been working all day. As well, even when I got back to the underpass, I had the unenviable choice of an unpleasant walk along Romford Road or a pleasant but very long walk right around the cemetery boundary. I wasn't going to do either for cattle.
My adversary gave way before I did, and made to turn round. The bridle path is about a metre wide, somewhat similar to a cow, I guess, and it wasn't easy for the poor beast. I didn't care. his mates were less than helpful though, because I observed that as far as I could see up to the bend that leads to Rabbits Road, they were either backed up, still coming, or piled on the back of the one in front.
I encouraged the nearest to be positive and get himself round, and show the ones behind how it was done. By this time, the residents of the houses across the railway line were lining their back gardens to watch the fun, and I was beginning to feel embarrassed as well as tired and slightly apprehensive.
The outcome was, with a lot of shoving and attempting to walk over each other, the herd did eventually begin to move back in the direction of Rabbits Road and the Flats from whence they'd come. I walked behind like an experienced cow-herd - keeping a respectable distance for fear of fall-out, and at last exited behind my lead-then-last cow (bullock).
Cattle feeding on Manor Park Flats. Photo by Jennifer Charter
Now here is the incredible bit - or have I made it up in my mind - I seem to remember that there was actually one of those one policeman who used to walk, standing in the middle of the road ensuring that no motorists mowed the cattle over as they crossed back onto the Flats. How proud I felt as I exited behind them, clapping my hands and making encouraging "get along, there" noises to my herd. I remember counting them - and there were well nigh 100.
I'd probably lost some of my weariness by then - or had I just woken up?
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The colour photograph to the left is a late one, taken by Jennifer Charter probably some time in the 1990's when "the Triangle" area of the Flats near Rabbits Road in Manor Park had been mowed - probably in preparation for an annual horse-show.
The black-and-white photograph was taken by me from my upstairs window in the early 1960's. It may be noted that the Flats herabouts were surrounded by a chestnut-paling fence, erected after the pre-fabs were dismantled and the ground prepared for future football-pitches.
Paul Ferris, 19th Jan 2011
Our Olympic Legacy
They are only minor inconveniences really, in the great scheme of things. After it is all over, in 2012, everything will be so much brighter in East London.
Very locally - on Wanstead Flats - the birds will be able to return to their feeding site where recently police had been feeding, and we shall have – perhaps – a newly re-renovated Jubilee Pond – or some other upgrade to the damaged or run-down local environment.
The Olympic site seen from Wanstead FlatsIn and around the Olympic Park, we shall have – right on our doorstep and putting even T*!*co's in Wanstead to shame – the biggest place to spend money in Europe, and facilities beyond or wildest dreams for exercise, leisure and recreation. There will be wonderful places to live, too.
And all of this in exchange for a couple of years of not daring to risk travel on the tubes or underground at weekends, or again on countless weekends and holidays not being able to travel between Liverpool Street and Romford other than by 25/86 bus. However, in exchange for missing a couple of years of visiting London on our days off, or visiting our friends on their days off, we shall be able to get from Stratford to anywhere in the world – easily.
Orbit Tower - artist's impression, and definitely artistic licenseAlso, the Bow Back Rivers was of course an evil area, with scattered remote dwellings, dingy small businesses, pungent canals and broken lock-gates. The animals and plants that grew there were strange - relics of some bygone age or weird introductions that should never be allowed in a green and pleasant land. The birds were reclusive, hiding away in nature reserves like Bully Point (fancy calling a nature reserve Bully Point!) or just nesting there out of the way of people. The odd visiting graceful swan or otter were intruders – too fine to be seen by the few people that ventured here to explore this unknown part of London. Even the meadow-land that existed here was a product of man's interference, surrounded by the twists and turns of a run-down cycle trackway.
All of that will change – has changed; we shall have glorious shrub-lined walkways along waterways flowing with the freshest Lee waters, where canoeists perhaps can wave to the promenaders. There will be proper wildlife, introduced by means of careful plantings and seeding where alien species are those chosen to give colour and scent to these new surroundings. Our leisure will be designed for us – we needn't do any walking to explore – everything will be signposted or leafleted – we shall know exactly how far, how long and how easy.
And all of this will be overlooked by a wondrous 114 m. / 374 ft. high structure for us to wonder at and to overlook us for the rest of our lives!
Quote from Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham*: “...Inevitably, however, as we have to make large scale cuts, I fear the Olympic legacy and the transformation of people's life chances in the East End may be in jeopardy”
Didn't expect that!
* “Mayor's view”, thenewhammag, issue 211 7-21 January 2011
Paul Ferris, 11/1/11
Access and user-priority issues in Wanstead Park and the Exchange Lands.
Sunday 8th of January saw a major transformation of the Grotto in Wanstead Park. After the enclosure was cleared in 1997/98 for an archaeological investigation by the Museum of London Archaeology Service it has been allowed to grow untended, so that in recent years it has become all but un-noticeable even if standing immediately adjacent to the metal fence that surrounds it, and even from the frontage-viewpoint across the lake.
A workforce of some 10 people comprising City of London Corporation staff, individuals and members of Wanstead Parklands Community Project in the space of a few hours in the morning radically cleared invasive ivy and bramble, and cut down sycamore saplings to reveal the Grotto once again. For more information on the work, click here.
The Grotto after clearance work in January 2011It was during this undertaking that I participated in a small way, then listened to, a discussion between a member of the Wanstead Parklands Community Project and a member of the Corporation staff about access issues in the Park. On the one hand it was suggested that any material used to surface path and trackways must be historically appropriate, and on the other it was stated that such material seems either to be not available or too expensive. Considering the state of paths in the Park, it seems that the latter argument - perhaps exacerbated by the former requirements - has led to the present state of affairs. I shall come back to that later, for it was my experience after the work project that led me to write these thoughts down.
Meeting with some ecologist friends who also share my enjoyment of walking in a variety of location ranging from town streets and parks to "wild" country, we took a walk into the Old Sewage Works, or Exchange Land, site adjacent to Wanstead Park. This has for long been a favourite area of mine for a relaxing stroll or to do some botanizing or photography. I can also claim to have been to some extent instrumental in the development of the site to its present condition when it became part of Epping Forest. It was indeed my suggestion as to broadly what sort of soil should be laid as a necessary cap to the old works, and even the six or so species of grass with which that soil should be seeded. (see here for more information)
Roding Valley Way signpost in Old Sewage WorksA few years ago I became concerned about the proposal that the Roding Valley Way joint cycle/pedestrian path be routed through the site. I pointed out that this wasn't strictly necessary, as a what seemed to me (as a past cyclist as well as walker) a perfectly good alternative already existed - albeit with a bit of very necessary tidying. This route simply followed the existing Bridle Path, alongside the City of London Cemetery and immediately adjacent to the sewage works. However, force-cycleur prevailed and the connection and signposts indicating the route of the RVW were erected showing it to pass through the site.
Then last year, I was persuaded that allowing horses from the adjacent Aldersbrook Riding facility to gently use a circular route within the site would be appropriate. I gave way, with my own proviso being that it would follow a proscribed route and would not begin to produce ankle twisters or sloughs, nor exercising or grazing off that route. As far as I was made aware, that would be the case, and suddenly without further discussion permission was given. I've since seen or been made aware of examples of horses being grazed on the parts of the site that includes some of the best ecologically for fine plants and butterflies, and a Shetland pony being exercised by a group of youngsters evidently playing at horse-training.
So here we go with my moans: We entered the Sewage Works site for our stroll and propitiously followed a horse-rider along the obvious route-ways within the site. It wasn't long before we pedestrians encountered the sloughs, and wild-country walking or not, my ankles don't like those. This was after 24 hours or so of almost continuous rain, so it was not surprising that the ground was in the state it was. Now, I understood that this riding was to be a summer thing, but was evidently wrong.
Less pronounced were the cycle tracks, but then this is Epping Forest and cycling is allowed, unlike adjacent Wanstead Park. Nevertheless we found ourselves on three occasions stepping aside as cyclists went past. This is the sort of thing that one has come to expect on the towpaths of the Lea, but then I avoid those now. In the short space of our walk there, this seems - unless there happened to be a cycling event that day - to be a dramatic increase in cycle-usage, and one which I feared.
So we touch on issues of priorities of usage here and I began to feel that my years-long quiet enjoyment in being able to stand on a track and look at the birds or the nearby plants have now become diminished. I am now a tertiary user.
Hedge cutting and pugging in Sewage WorksI wondered too who had permitted the major hedge-cutting exercise that has taken place along the main tracks on the site? A lot of flailing of vegetation and skimming of ground surfaces had taken place along those "rides" used by horses. Much may recover, but what has been scalped includes the pretty corner where the Everlasting Pea grows, the sparse-grass area which supports amongst other things Whitlow Grass (not a grass but a tiny and scarce plant in this area), the track-side grass area where when I first got a digital camera I took a photo of a magnificent, still-present-last-year Mullein, all of the track-edging where specimens of Stone Parsley grow (which is not known anywhere else in the area) and a stretch where there had been a rather nice example of the difference between a "common" bramble species and dewberry. I wondered again if anybody had taken an inventory of what was there before the work took place - and indeed who carried out the work! Just to add insult to this injury, I noted that on a particular considerable stretch, the orange plastic-fencing that was used whilst pipe-laying work was being undertaken had been exposed - no longer a fence of course, but now a mat. I'd pointed this out a year or 
Unsuitable track surface by Ornamental Watertwo back to Epping Forest Keeper staff who said that they'd asked for it to be removed; I hope it doesn't get entangled in a horses hooves - this might actually result in injury to insult.
We went on then into the Park proper to walk up the east side of the Southern Arm of the Ornamental Water to view the newly-viewable Grotto from across the water. What a difference! The view, that is. What impressed me more was, after the interesting earlier discussion on access and track-surfacing, how we were slip-sliding on the porridge that has been used as a surface on the recently renovated pathway along here, having to step out of the way of bikes trying to make headway through same, and what the inside of my car looked like when we three eventually got back to it, having had the porridge re-enforced with the track-surface that has been laid - again recently - twixt Perch and Heronry Ponds. It takes me back to the discussion in the Grotto...
Paul Ferris, 9th January 2011
Consultation on the future of Wanstead Park
Since 2005 the Wanstead Parklands Community Project (WPCP) has been working to raise awareness of the history of Wanstead Park and to campaign for its preservation and improvement.The Project includes people with an interest and knowledge of the history, archaeology, ecological and social aspects of the Park.
As a result of a long campaign by the Project, in 2009 Wanstead Park was included by English Heritage on its register listing those parks and gardens "At Risk" from neglect, decay or pressure from development. (see here)
On 6th February 2010 - perhaps due to the pressure now being exerted - the City of London Corporation held a public meeting at the Club House of Wanstead Golf Club. It was perhaps a surprise to everybody that 180 people attended the meeting! A fuller report is available here.
Recently, the City of London Corporation has hired planning consultants Chris Blandford Associates to help develop plans for the future of the Park, and a public consultation will take place between February 14th and 28th. An article was published in the December 23rd issue of the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - a copy of which may be viewed as a PDF file here.
The two week period for official consultation in February is a very tight window, so on Thursday 13th January - at the Churchill Room in Wanstead Library from 7.30pm - the Wanstead Parklands Community Project hosted a meeting to discuss these issues.
The guest speaker was Peter Wilkinson, the consultant appointed by City of London Corporation to work towards a "Conservation Statement" for the Park. The idea of the meeting on 13th January was to set the ball rolling as soon as possible, to allow maximum time for ideas and suggestions to crystalize before the official period of consultation in February. With luck, ideas put forward may find their way into the official consultation in February. The meeting was, therefore, much of a "working" session, to allow as many people as possible to "get in" as early as possible. Ultimately the Conservation Statement will lead to a major grant application later in 2011.
More details may be obtained from the Friends of Wanstead Park.