On duty with the forest guardians

5:19pm Monday 4th August 2008

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From putting out fires to discovering dead bodies, day to day life for the Epping Forest wardens in Wanstead Park can throw up many challenges. Guardian reporter Crystal Wilde decided to put on her hiking boots and join them on their daily patrol.

Whether on horse back, quad bike, 4x4 or mountain bike, the Epping Forest keepers are always on the move.

Ian Greer has worked for the City of London Corporation for eight years – on call 365 days a year to serve and protect the leafy spaces of east London.

Wanstead Park is managed as part of Epping Forest, but its unique character has always been recognised – highlighted by the 50 exclusive bye-laws which have been in place since it was bought from the Wanstead House estate and opened to the public in 1882.

Sitting in the 4x4 on one of the sunniest days of the year, I only got a small taste of the problems faced by the wardens.

Despite spending most of his time clearing ramps left by BMX riders, reporting litter and graffiti, and checking for fishing rod licenses, Ian explained that there are many more sinister sides to the job.

He said: “I actually found a dead body last week by the Hollow Ponds in Leyton Flats,” he said.

“I was driving along and noticed a man lying face down in the grass with a dog beside him.

“I shouted to him but got no reply and then I saw the colour of his face and it was pretty obvious he was dead.

“We think he had a stroke while walking his dog.

“It’s just part-and-parcel of what you can find on an everyday patrol.”

“The role of a forest keeper is wide ranging. The duties include organising educational programmes with local schools, dealing with emergencies and helping with conservation of the Forest by conducting wildlife and plant surveys as well as rescuing injured animals in the Forest.

“Our job is to ensure public control and safety. We keep good networks with local groups and forest users and always act as the first point of contact.”

In addition Ian’s busy schedule includes leading organised mountain bike rides around the forest and running the annual Tarzy Wood Fun Day in Wanstead High Street, with The Scouts and Redbridge Council.

Ian has also faced some more difficult tests during the years, including having to comfort a family who found a young boy who had choked himself to death in the High Beech area in Epping Forest.

On another occasion he helped reunite an eight-year-old Polish boy with his father after finding him wandering, lost, on Wanstead Flats.

Ian said: “I’ve found lots of firearms and knives and even the bodies of pets that have been dumped.

“I once picked a bag out of one of the ponds in Wanstead Park that had a dead cat in it.

“It always amazes me what people will do and about five years ago we found five dead signets who had been shot by yobs with air rifles.”

Moving on vagrants sleeping under tarpaulin and surprising adventurous couples getting frisky in the bushes, are also regular chores for Ian, who sometimes faces danger during his work.

He said: “Most people respect the forest but a small minority abuse it and that’s what we’re here to stop.

“Nine times out of ten you can resolve things without conflict but I have had threats of stabbings from youths who I’ve told to stop riding motorbikes or lighting fires.

“We’re not here to be heavy-handed, we just want to educate people about how to care for the environment, but if people break the laws they will be prosecuted.”

Anyone who sees byelaws being broken should call the 24-hour hotline on 8532 1010