THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB
HEADQUARTERS:
THE PASSMORE EDWARDS MUSEUM,
ROMEORD ROAD, STRATFORD.
LONDON, E15 4LZ
NEWSLETTER NO. 3
August, 1992
 
EDITOR'S NOTE
It is quite some time since the last newsletter and there have been some important
developments on the Rainham marshes SSSI. The original planning application to
build on a huge area of the SSSI by MCA now looks increasingly unlikely to go ahead.
The London Borough of Havering Unitary Development Plan has been amended by the
Inspector and he has stated that the whole of Wennington marshes should remain in the
green belt and of course within the SSSI.
On the down side he has rejected the conservationists' arguments over Rainham marsh
proper and the silt lagoons and given the "green light" for developments in these areas.
There are two plans mooted for these areas. One based around an international
exhibition centre and another much more grandiose scheme centred on a huge stadium.
It has to be said that neither of these two schemes are anything other than glints in the
eyes of developers at this stage.
Mark Hanson has been extremely busy working on the latest volume of The Naturalist
which accompanies this Newsletter. I am sure you will agree it was worth waiting for.
It will become a standard work on the natural history of the forest for many years to
come. Our thanks go to Mark for all the time and effort he has expended on this
volume.
Sadly for the Field Club Sheila and Peter Leswell have had to leave Essex and Sheila
has had to give up her roles as General Secretary and Minuting Secretary after many
years of service to the Club. She will be greatly missed by us all and we would like to
thank her and her husband for their long service and give them both our best wishes
for the future.
We are urgently seeking a volunteer to take on the role of General Secretary and
any member willing to undertake this job should write to the President,
Canon David Agassiz at The Glebe House, Brewers End, Takeley, Bishops Stortford,
CM22 6QH.
The next issue of The Naturalist will be a compendium of short papers much in the
style of The Naturalist of early years. It will be available just as soon as our bank
balance has recovered from the latest expenditure.
Del Smith, Editor, 12 Tring Gardens, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, RM3 9EP.
Telephone Ingrebourne 75555