HAINAULT FOREST

My Family has had links to Hainault since the 1880's my Aunt was part of a large Family of Farm Workers being born in Stokes Cottages in 1912 .We have lived in our current house near the Forest since 1952 and I Worked in Hainault from 1969 untill I Retired in 2007.

 

Hainault Tornado

On tuesday the 3rd of January 2012 a mini tornado hit the streets of Hainault causing a lot of damage to houses and cars mine included loosing my ham radio ariels and my workshop ,at the time the tornado hit I was working in my workshop in the loft ,I was terrified when half of the roof was lifted off and tiles and bits of other people houses started coming in I have never got down the stairs so fast.

some pictures are here

Help Save our Forest

A worried local resident of foxburrow farm 

 

Redbridge Councillors are being asked to approve a plan to hand over Hainault Forest to an unelected Trust or Quango.

Hainault Forest was bought by public and private subscriptions from East and West Ham, Barking, Dagenham, Wanstead, Ilford UDC's, Essex and London CC's and other benefactors.
By an Act of Parliament (1903) it was declared an open space forever for the people of London. It belongs to the people of London. There were also restrictions on what forms of activity could take place in Hainault and the GLC maintained and safeguarded the wish of Parliament, to later be ignored by Redbridge.
At a time of world discussions on democracy it seems that the Council is ignoring its responsibility and wishes to take away residents' and users democratic rights.
Have London and Essex residents or the metropolitan councillors been consulted?

You may not be aware in your deliberations that Hainault Forest (Redbridge) has an area designated an SSSI or Site of Special Scientific Importance and the Councillors have a statutory duty to the Government to maintain the site under the direction of Natural England. It also has been designated an area of Metropolitan Importance. From surveys carried out by prominent natural history experts, Hainault Forest for all its small size has species present of Red data, National and Essex rarity importance.  A survey of the lichens shows Hainault to be the least polluted and healthiest area in the Borough.

Will a Trust which has to make money, care and understand how to manage the area - its trees, grasslands and amenity areas to safeguard the wildlife and provide a tranquil place for the near million people that use the area yearly - families, schools, disabled, special needs and a range of activities - walking, running,orienteering, picnics, kites, dog walking etc. Will they maintain the small farm which is loved by all especially mothers and grandparents with toddlers? What of the Visitor Centre now closed due to staff cuts.

What is the Trust composition? Is it the same people who ran the Councils Leisure department? If they couldn't run it for the Councillors then how will they be successful in a Trust?
Remember Horse racing at Fairlop fiasco. Remember the Claybury opening ceremony fiasco?

It appears that no discussions are allowed on Hainault. Democracy gone mad. Is this the future conduct of the Councillors and Officers? Roll on the elections!

Please keep Hainault Forest in Council and electorate hands.

Too Late

Welcome to Vision - Redbridge Culture and Leisure. 

As a charitable leisure trust, Vision provides leisure services on behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge at the following facilities: Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre, Wanstead Leisure Centre, Cricklefields Athletic Ground, Ashton Playing Fields, Fairlop Waters and Redbridge Cycling Centre. 

Vision - Redbridge Culture & Leisure aims to increase participation, accessibility and inclusivity across its services, developing partnerships and sharing best practice throughout facilities.

Whether it be swimming, cycling, athletics, fitness classes, the Gym, athletics, raquet, beauty treatments, golf, football, sailing, angling or relaxation..too late

 

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