The Highams Park Snedders (Forestry Volunteers)

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Snedders Stew Day 18th January 2020

The Highams Park Snedders are a friendly group of local volunteers from the Highams Park Planning Group (HPPG) who help look after The Highams Park, the lake and the surrounding forest.

The name Snedders comes from the old Saxon word “sned”, which means to cut the small branches off a felled tree.

Join Highams Park Snedders

If you would like to volunteer to help, email highamsparkplan@gmail.com, and we will add you to our mailing list.

Outside of the bird nesting season, the Snedders usually meet on one Monday and Saturday each month, although sometimes more often. The sessions generally run from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm but feel free to come and go as you please. We provide all the tools and training needed for you to help out.
Upcoming work sessions scheduled for 2023:
Wednesday 18th January
Saturday 28th January
Monday 6th February
Saturday 18th February
Monday 27th February
Sunday 12th March (Stew Day)
Thursday 16th March
Tuesday 21st March
Monday 27th March

Work the Snedders undertake

We have done a variety of works in the local woods, including:

  • clearing undergrowth that had gotten out of control after the cows stopped grazing at the lake in the mid-1990s
  • opening windows in the vegetation around the lake to improve airflow
  • reed planting to improve the wildlife habitat and water quality at the lake.

The Snedders have undertaken other projects such as establishing Humphry’s CafĂ© and the new path across the park to it.

We work closely with the Epping Forest Conservators from the City Corporation who provide logistical support and training. The works we undertake in the woods form part of a management conservation programme set by the conservators’ ecologists.

Photo of Snedders enjoying stew after a hard morning's work at the lake and Mallinson Scout centre
Snedders enjoying stew after a hard morning’s work at the lake and Mallinson Scout centre
Photo of Snedders Stew Day 18th January 2020
Snedders Stew Day 18th January 2020
The Highams Park Snedders at Work
The Highams Park Snedders at Work