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Her words were greeted with a great cheer from the
enormous crowd, and Miss Victoria Buxton, the 8 year old
daughter of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, was held up to the
royal carriage to present the Queen with a bouquet. She
also received a book of photographs of the most interesting
scenery in the Forest from the Lady Mayoress.
The ceremony having been completed the royal carriage
returned to Chingford Station where the Queen expressed
her extreme approval of the City's action in saving Epping
Forest for the enjoyment of the people to the Lord Mayor,
before returning by train to Windsor. For the many
thousands of people who remained in the Forest at dusk a
grand firework display was held at the rear of the Royal
Forest Hotel, and the grounds of the hotel were illuminated.
To mark the centenary of Queen Victoria's visit a grand
celebration is being arranged, to take place on and around
Chingford Plain on Saturday 8th May 1982. The festivities '
will concentrate on recreating the Victorian atmosphere,
when this area was a popular resort for the enjoyment of
the East Enders on a Sunday afternoon. It is hoped that
many people will come wearing some kind of Victorian dress,
and there will be a prize for the best dressed visitors.
Many fairground sideshows such as coconut shies, swing-
boats and roundabouts will be available, as they were
in Victorian times. It is also intended to have displays
of folk dancing and live music. Sporting activities
should include a Mass Jog, a tug-of-war competition, a
gymkhana, and a Victorian v 1982 football match, and a
cycle meet. There will be stalls for local organisations
who use the Forest to display their programs etc. and
it is hoped that some kind of exhibition showing the uses
of the Forest today can be arranged. Refreshments will
be available, including barbecued lamb, and the celebrations
will take place during the afternoon and evening. It is
hoped to finish the evening by the ceremonial lighting of
a bonfire on the top of Pole Hill which will be visible
over much of East London, and possibly by a firework
display, as it was a hundred years ago.