Beginning at Manor Park at 9:00 am, and led by Rambler Mike Whiteley, the group crossed Leyton Flats to wend its way northwards under the Green Man Roundabout through Walthamstow Forest, before relaxing a little at the County Hotel, Woodford, for a very welcome coffee kindly provided by the Hotel.
From there, the walkers continued to Chingford, stopping for drinks and a word of thanks from Barbara Newman, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee of the City of London. The steep walk up the hill to lunch at High Beach followed, where walkers recouped their energy in glorious sunshine, before tackling the final stint to Epping after lunch.
Throughout the walk, there was lively chatter and good humour, with speakers en route highlighting the special nature of the Forest.
Michael Davies, retiring Verderer, met the walkers at the end, offering his congratulations on a ‘job well done’.
He presented a badge to our youngest participant to cover the 16 mile walk, Tom Gilbert, who was very proud of his
achievement as was his mother, who walked the whole route too!
Judy Adams, Chairman of the Friends of Epping Forest, said ‘This event has become an annual event in the calendar of Forest activities and provides a splendid occasion to celebrate how lucky we are to have the Forest on our doorstep. We were thrilled by the numbers who participated and grateful to all the volunteers who made it possible’
Barbara Newman, Chairman of the Epping Forest and Commoners Committee, said: ‘Developed in 1978, the walk covering the Forest from end to end was established to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Epping Forest Act in 1878. The Act secured the future of the Forest for us all and the preservation of its natural aspect. I am proud now to be playing my part as one of the Conservators of Epping Forest.’
The date for next year’s walk is September 19