17 September 2009
Vacancy for Epping Forest Verderer announced
Ever want to get more involved in Epping Forest? Now is an
opportunity for community figures to represent the interests of
their local area by applying for the honorary position of Epping
Forest Verderer.
The City of London is requesting applications to fill this
historic role, which involves playing a full part in all Epping
Forest Matters of the City of London’s Epping Forest & Commons
Committee. The Verderer as a title goes back to the 13th Century
and is derived from the Norman-French for green wood and originally
helped administer the Royal Forests.
To qualify for appointment as a Verderer, a person must reside
within one of the Forest parishes and not be a member of the Court
of Common Council of the City of London. All applicants should also
have a detailed knowledge of the Forest, the principles under which
it must be managed and the pressures operating on it. There are
four Verderers who are full members of the Epping Forest and
Commons Committee.
At the July meeting of the Epping Forest & Commons Committee
of the City of London, Verderer Michael Davies announced his
intention to resign by the end of the year, with the view to the
new incumbent being in position by then.
Under the terms of the Epping Forest Act 1878, a vacancy arising
between the septennial elections of Verderers requires an
appointment to be made by the Committee acting on behalf of the
City of London as the Conservators of Epping Forest.
It is anticipated that the Committee will appoint a new Verderer
at its meeting in November, who will represent the Northern
Parishes - Epping, Theydon Bois, Loughton, Waltham Holy Cross,
Chingford and Chigwell.
Those interested in applying should send a letter supporting
their application to the Town Clerk’s Department, City of London,
P.O Box 270, Guildhall, London EC2P 2EJ, for the attention of
Natasha Cendrowicz. Email submissions can also be sent to the
following address:
natasha.cendrowicz@cityoflondon.gov.uk
closing date for applications is 9 October 2009. Interviews
will take place on Wednesday, 21 October, at The Warren, Loughton,
Essex, IG10 4RW.
This appointment will be until March 2013 when the septennial
elections to appoint all four Epping Verderers will take place.
Ends
Notes for editors
- Epping Forest is the largest public open space in the London
area, measuring over 8000 acres, two-thirds of which is wooded and
the same proportion designated the Special Area for Conservation
(SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- In the second half of the 19th century large areas of the
Forest were being enclosed for development, with scant regard for
commoners’ rights or general recreational needs. Such was the City
of London Corporation’s concern over this that it fought a legal
battle against the enclosures, culminating in two ground-breaking
Acts of Parliament passed in 1878. One of these entrusted the
ownership and care of Epping Forest to the City of London, with the
second making similar provision for other open spaces under similar
threat.
- In addition to providing local authority services within the
Square Mile, the City of London provides a large number of
facilities for the benefit of London and to the nation as a whole.
These include the Barbican Centre, 10000 acres of open space, three
wholesale London markets and maintaining five Thames
bridges.
Press enquiries
Please call Loretta Lui on 020 7332 1528