Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, recently joined His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to celebrate the Duke’s 50th anniversary as Ranger of Epping Forest.
The Duke's journey began in Chingford, where he was presented with the key to Queen Elizabeth I's Hunting Lodge and officially opened a new exhibition at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre, showcasing Epping Forest's royal connections throughout history. His Royal Highness then travelled across Epping Forest to arrive at Lopping Hall in Loughton, where he was welcomed by Dr Hudson, to continue the celebrations.
At Lopping Hall, Dr Hudson engaged in discussions with The Duke of Gloucester, The Verderers, and young representatives from the Epping Youth Council. These conversations focused on the future of Epping Forest, conservation efforts, and initiatives to promote appreciation of the 6,000-acre forest. Dr Hudson emphasised the importance of collective responsibility to preserve the Forest, addressing issues such as sustainability and climate change.
The event also featured presentations on 'The Future of Epping Forest' from students of the City of London's Youth Natural Environment Board, Epping Forest Youth Councillors, and Thomas Willingale School.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest said:
“It was an honour to join His Royal Highness in celebrating this significant milestone. The Duke's dedication to Epping Forest over the past five decades has been truly inspirational.
“I was so impressed by the presentations today from our young representatives. It is crucial that we continue to engage young folk in conservation efforts, working together to ensure this precious natural heritage remains a thriving, biodiverse green space for generations to come.”
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Ben Murphy, said:
“We were delighted to welcome The Duke of Gloucester back to Epping Forest to celebrate this remarkable milestone.
"For 50 years, His Royal Highness has played a vital role in protecting this internationally significant landscape, ensuring its beauty and biodiversity thrive while providing over 10 million visitors each year with high-quality green spaces for recreation.
"A key legacy of the Ranger’s Golden Jubilee celebration has been inspiring the next generation of volunteers. Over the past year, we have seen a 16% increase, with more than 15,000 hours donated. We now offer opportunities for people of all abilities, and our volunteering activities for children and young families have been particularly successful.”
