Swaines Green.......the story so far

1830 - The land that forms Swaines Green today was part of the very large Copped Hall Estate under the ownership of Henry Conyers.

1869 - Copped Hall is sold to the railway magnet George Wythes and it remains with this family until 1952.

1939/45 - All the fields were ploughed up for the war effort with perhaps the exception of one field - Middle Lincoln’s Field.

1970's - The site is extensively used for turf production and it is reputed turf from Swaines Green used on the old Wembley Stadium.

1986 - Commercial activity on the land ceases. Trees and scrub begins to develop over the grassland from this time. The aerial photograph below from 1986 clearly shows the site with no trees.

Aerial view of Swaines Green 1986

October 1991 - Rumours over possible development of the land are raised. Local conservationist Paul Flack writes to Countrycare for advise on what could be done to save the fields.

August 1992 – Epping Forest District Council places a blanket Tree Preservation order on the developing trees on the field.

October 1992 – Countrycare and Epping Town Council begin negotiations with the landowner Mr Stevens over a possible access and management agreement to secure public access and management.

December 1994 – After more than two years negotiation, a ten year access and management agreement is signed between Epping Town Council, Epping Forest District Council and Mr Stevens. This does not include "Lovelocks" field.

March 1995 - The first conservation work takes place with volunteers working with Countrycare.

December 1995 – Countrycare organise a public meeting to discuss the sites frist management plan.

September 1996 – Countrycare and Epping Town Council begin investigating the possibility of applying to the Countryside Commission’s Millennium Green Project for funding to purchase the land.

July 1997 - Epping County Infants School are asked to vote on two suggested names for the site - Lincoln’s Field (an old field name) and Swaines Wood. The children choose Swaines Wood, but the Millennium Commission requires the name “Green” in the title. As a compromise the name "Swaines Green" is born with the middle of the site being called Swaines Wood and the grassland areas Forties Field, Lower and Middle Lincolns Field.

July 1997 – The appraisal stage for the grant is completed and the Countryside Commission offers a site preparation grant of £923 for site valuation, public consultation and production of a site preparation plan.

20 August 1997 – “The Friends of Swaines Green“ are formed by CC and ETC. Local residents join the Town Clerk and Countryside Manager to form the group.

16 October 1997 - a public meeting is organised by Epping Town Council and Countrycare to unveil plans to but the land through the Millennium Green grant.

72 residents attend.

February 1998 – The bid begins to falter, as Mr Stevens having initially agreed

to sell the land will now not proceed unless there is a development clause

added to the sale.

11 April 1998 – The Friends of Swaines Green Committee is formally created.

August 1998 – Swaines Green is declared a Wildlife Site (G40) by the Essex

Wildlife Trust.

26 October 1998 – Countrycare competes and submits an application to

the Countryside Commission's Millennium Greens Project.

19 November 1998 – A 50% grant of £55,560 is offered by the Countryside Commission towards the purchase and improvement of the green. This is half

of a total approved expenditure of £111,120, which was to include the

purchase of the land and specific project costs. Grants and offers of support

are also pledged from the Town and District Councils, Corporation of London

and many other local groups.

9 February 1999 – Friends of Swaines Green hold their first AGM.

July 1999 – The Friends of Swaines Green produce their first newsletter.

February 2000 – Epping Town Council Clerk stands down as secretary and The Friends become a more independent group. A Councillor from Epping Town Council and a representive from Countrycare are still on board.

2000 - Epping Forest District Council gives The Friends of Swaines Green £10,000 towards the purchase of the land.

January 2000 – A buy back option sought by landowner rejected by the now Countryside Agency and the idea of a development clause is now investigated.

March 2002 – Finally, after six years legal negotiations reach a stalemate as a development clause is finally rejected by the funding body The Millennium Commission. Epping Town Council and The Friends of Swaines Green continue to fund raise and seek alternatives.

December 2004 – Friends given charity number.

June 2005 - Thanks to the intervention and effort of Jeremy Wisenfeld the then Superintent of Epping Forest the land is finally bought for £165,000, by the City of London and Epping Town Council with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Friends of Swaines Green.

2006 onwards - The Friends of Swaines Green, Countrycare and City of London have been jointly managing the fields.

Swaines Green.......the story so far

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