NEW VERDERER OF EPPING FOREST ELECTED

Epping Green resident, Michael Chapman has been appointed to one of the four historic Verderer of Epping Forest roles, which dates back to the 13th Centaury. The Verderers post involves playing a key role in all matters relating to Epping Forest and to sit on the City of London’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee. To qualify for appointment a person must live within one of the forest’s parishes and to not be a member of the Court of Common Council of the City of London.

Mr. Chapman, whose other roles including being one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant’s of Essex and Chairman of Trustees of St. Clare Hospice is a solicitor by trade and has a keen interest in natural history. He helped to found Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society and has also served as Chairman of the West Essex Health Authority.

Mr. Chapman explained: "As a walker and naturalist living in Theydon and Epping all my life I have always enjoyed the forest. I hope I will be able to help preserve the natural beauty of the forest so it can continue to be enjoyed by all." The new Verderer will take up his post in January and will be required to face re-election in March 2013.