EDITORIAL
Since 1878, when Epping Forest was 'safeguarded for ever' by being given into the
care of the Corporation of the City of London, members of the Essex Field Club have
needed to defend the Forest against a long succession of threats. The threats have been
of three main types: total neglect and lack of management reducing the diversity of
wildlife, attempts to take the Forest lands to build railways and motorways and over-
management turning parts of the forest into neatly manicured parkland.
An example of the latter type comes from a 1974 planning study by the Royal In-
stitute of British Architects (61):
"By contrast Lords Bushes is enclosed, partly natural forest and partly artificial.
The main drawback of difficulty of access for people with cars could be resolved by the
provision of an informal car park within the grounds or behind the primary school site
with access from Princes Road.
The existing artificial nature of Knighton Wood adjoining could be extended to
Lords Bushes and amplified by planting additional non-indigenous trees and shrubs, by
forming glades with fountains and waterfalls, and the introduction of a variety of water
fowl to create a Regents Park atmosphere.
This would provide emphasis to the present contrast with the remainder of the
forest and an area attractive to people with young children."
Fortunately, Lords Bushes has not yet been converted to an imitation of Regents
Park. In this book, Mark Hanson explains the considerable historical and wildlife
interest of Lords Bushes. Certainly this is the first time that one person has been able to
give such a complete record of the flora and fauna of any part of Epping Forest.
Mark Hanson has shown that the accidental fires of 1976 have greatly improved the
wildlife interest of Lords Bushes. If the Conservators read this book, they may well be
able to further aid the wildlife of the area — but this time by deliberate action!
EDITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Essex Field Club is extremely grateful to the Passmore Edwards Museum for
making a substantial grant towards the cost of this publication.
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