In our winter newsletter, Catherine shared a photo of her grandchildren and her heartwarming stories of Epping Forest. Thank you, Catherine.
‘I have known Epping Forest all the ninety-one years of my life, but first moved to a house close by Pole Hill more than fifty years ago. It has been a wonderful place to bring up children. Not only did they have the opportunity of the educational events organised, but we had ready access as a family to this wonderful playground, with trees to climb and ponds and streams to explore. Regular outings were to the blue bell wood in spring and to see the changing colours of Autumn.
We had more snow in those days so every winter we had toboggans ready and occasionally a skier was spotted! We were even able to skate on Connaught Waters at least once. Another memory is carol singing, just for fun, walking to the top of Pole Hill where mince pies were offered, a custom which continues in this road. As we grew older, we joined many of the walks organised by the “Friends of Epping Forest” and regularly went to the annual supper.
My walking days are over, but I still have much pleasure in seeing other families passing up the road to enjoy all that the Forest has to offer and to know how much pleasure my grandchildren have had too.’
Hope you are able to enjoy some winter walks in the Forest this year.
If you too would like to share your reminiscences of the forest, please send a short article along to: enquires@efht.org.uk