27 June 2008
Epping Forest appoints new Superintendent
The City of London has
appointed Paul Thomson as the new Superintendent of Epping
Forest. Paul will take up the post on 1 September 2008 and
will be the ninth Superintendent since the City of London took
responsibility for Epping Forest in 1878.
Paul will be joining Epping Forest from Hampshire County
Council's Countryside Service where he served as Team Leader
responsible for the County's flagship sites. Before that Paul
worked with the Countryside Agency with responsibility for
Protected Landscapes and as Parks and Countryside Service Manager
for Herefordshire Unitary Authority.
In his role as Superintendent, Paul will be responsible for the
management and conservation of the 8,000 acres of Epping Forest,
the largest public open space in the vicinity of London.
Sue Ireland, the Director of the City of London Open Spaces
Department, said: “I am very pleased that Paul is joining the staff
and I am sure he will build on the excellent teamwork that has
already taken place at Epping Forest. His previous wide-ranging
work experience will prove invaluable to the Forest, our visitors
and staff members.”
Paul said: "It is a tremendous privilege to take up the role of
Superintendent with one of England's oldest and most esteemed
recreation and conservation management organisations. I look
forward to working with the Committee, Verderers and staff at
Epping to continue the City of London's exemplary legacy of
management, protection and improvement of London's largest open
space".
Born in East Ham, Paul was educated at Wanstead High School and
the University of London's Wye College before undertaking
postgraduate study at the University of Gloucestershire.
Ends
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Notes for editors
Epping Forest: Epping Forest is the largest public open space in
the vicinity of London, measuring nineteen kms long and nearly four
kms wide. Two-thirds of its acreage is wooded with large numbers of
ancient pollards, and the same proportion is designated a Site of
Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. It
contains a wealth of wildlife, is an important centre of
conservation, a Green Heritage Site and has two listed buildings –
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and the Temple - and the remains of
two large Iron Age earthworks.
City of London: The City of London provides local government
services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of
Britain, and is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status
of the business City as the world's leading international financial
and business centre through its policies and services. Its
responsibilities also extend far beyond the City boundaries and
include management of the Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court
at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space including Hampstead
Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets, as well as
acting as the London Port Health Authority.
Press contact
Loretta Lui on 020 7332 1528