Thames Chase Trust

There are some great opportunities to join us at The Thames Chase Trust. We are currently recruiting for a Chair of the Thames Chase Trust Board of Trustees. Our new Chair will help continue to develop and strengthen the organisation, share our vision and support enrichment, preservation, and stewardship of the Thames Chase Community Forest. We are also recruiting for Trustees. For more information on these exciting roles click here: https://lnkd.in/g6bzkRKv #thameschase #trustee #volunteering #recruiting #environment #havering #jobs Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Oliver Rogers MCIPR Aisling Woodhead Alex Hewitt James Doyle Kirsty Patel Englands Community Forests

We had a great day last week, working on behalf of Havering Council improving access to footpath 219 and 220 which runs from Parklands Open Space across fields to the Optimist Pub in Upmister. From here you can access Hacton Parkway where the path follows the River Ingrebourne towards Hornchurch Country Park and if you cross the river you can enter Bonnets Wood making a fantastic circular walk back to Parklands. We received several reports to let us know that the footbridge on this section of footpath 219/220 was in very bad condition, overgrown and almost impassable. One of our volunteers carried out a site check in advance to establish what timber was needed and 9 of us worked very hard to repair and open up this well used route. We replaced 12 broken or rotting boards along the bridge, strengthened the hand rail by adding a new support and tightening up the fixings, cleared the Common Reed and Bramble around it and replaced the broken off upright handle to help people across the stile. We also cut back vegetation and cleared litter from the access point from The Grove, Upminster. While we were working there several people came by and were pleased to see the bridge being repaired and thanked the volunteers for getting it done. #thameschase #teamwork #repair #community #volunteering #havering #essex #upminster London Borough of Havering Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Alex Hewitt James Doyle Englands Community Forests

We are currently recruiting for a Chair of the Thames Chase Trust Board of Trustees. Our new Chair will help continue to develop and strengthen the organisation, share our vision and support enrichment, preservation, and stewardship of the Thames Chase Community Forest. We are also recruiting for Trustees. For more information on these exciting opportunities click here: https://lnkd.in/g6bzkRKv #thameschase #recruiting #volunteer #trustee #havering #essex #community #environmentjob #environment Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Alex Hewitt James Doyle Kirsty Patel Englands Community Forests

We are currently recruiting for a Chair of the Thames Chase Trust Board of Trustees. Our new Chair will help continue to develop and strengthen the organisation, share our vision and support enrichment, preservation, and stewardship of the Thames Chase Community Forest. We are also recruiting for Trustees. For more information on these exciting opportunities click here: https://lnkd.in/g6bzkRKv #thameschase #recruiting #volunteer #trustee #havering #essex #community #environmentjob #environment Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Alex Hewitt James Doyle Kirsty Patel Englands Community Forests

Partnership working is at the core of who we are and what we do at Thames Chase Trust. Often, this involves working with charities; local authorities, schools and other like-minded organisations. September however, offered a unique opportunity for us to meet up with the other Community Forests. England's Community Forest Conference 2024 was a great event, with representatives from all 15 of England's Community Forests, Thames Chase Community Forest being represented by the Programmes Team, Deputy Forest Director and Consultant Forest Director. The Conference was hosted in Bristol by the Forest of Avon and there was much to discuss and celebrate, a great deal to learn, and a wealth of connections to make. Some highlights included a panel discussion with Defra, National Trust, Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust, whereby we reflected on partnership working, the journey so far and the path still ahead. The breakout workshops were also incredibly useful, with 15 topics being covered and our own Consultant Forest Director leading one of the tables. And to top it off, a walk around Bristol where even the sun came out for a brief moment! You couldn't ask for much more and we have come away refreshed and reinvigorated, looking forward to next year's Conference already. #thameschase Englands Community Forests Forestry Commission National Trust The Woodland Trust Forest of Avon Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Oliver Rogers MCIPR James Doyle Alex Hewitt Alex Stone #defra

Earlier this month Thames Chase attended the Orsett Show celebrating agriculture, countryside living, and community spirit! It was great event for community engagement and wonderful to see so many people at the show enjoying all it had to offer. Thank you if you popped over to see us on our stand. We had wooden medallion decorating which proved popular for both children and adults and plenty of information to see and talk about. It was great to speak to people about our Oral history project which is capturing first hand local memories within the Community Forest. We also promoted our volunteering opportunities, events at the Thames Chase Forest Centre, Trees for Climate tree planting initiative and lots besides. A fantastic local show which we will be sure to attend again. #thameschase #event #orsettshow #orsett #essex #treesforclimate Englands Community Forests Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Oliver Rogers MCIPR Alex Hewitt James Doyle

With thanks to a grant from Veolia and the Landfill Communities Fund we are so excited to announce a new playground area coming to Thames Chase in 2025! We are looking forward to creating an inclusive playground at the Thames Chase Forest Centre. A space for the whole community to enjoy and help nurture a love of exploration and nature for visitors. Keep an eye on our social media pages for future updates! #thameschase #TheLCF The Veolia Environmental Trust Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Oliver Rogers MCIPR Alex Hewitt James Doyle Kirsty Patel

Last night Thames Chase Trust staff attended the Havering Small Business Awards. The event was hosted at Romford Town Hall with Councillor Ray Morgan, Leader of Havering Council opening the evening, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Ospreay also in attendance. We are thrilled Thames Chase Community Forest won the Havering Small Business Award for best social enterprise or CIC.  Forest Centre Manager Caroline Roberts was presented with the award, Caroline says: ”We are thrilled to have been nominated. Elated to have been shortlisted and over the moon that we have won. This award is for all the staff and volunteers that work so hard to make Thames Chase such a special place. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. And remember, Thames Chase Community Forest is your woodland, on your doorstep.” Councillor Ray Morgan emphasised the importance of small businesses. “Small businesses really are the backbone of our local economy, which is why I am once again delighted to celebrate the many shining examples of small businesses in our great borough.” It was wonderful to be part of this event giving recognition and celebrating Havering’s small businesses and the local community. Well done to all the winners and nominees. #HaveringSBA #thameschase #havering London Borough of Havering Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Oliver Rogers MCIPR Alex Hewitt James Doyle Kirsty Patel Angela Beard

We had a productive day recently on Nursery Walk in Romford, which leads towards footpath 123. Some light cutting back was required along the walk, but the main area for improvement was clearly the amount of rubbish to be removed. A sofa, bunk bed, pram and road sign were all found lurking in the bushes by our hard-working team of volunteers. Thanks to everyone who stopped and thanked us as we were working, it really makes our day! Oliver Rogers MCIPR Dave Bigden CEnv MCIEEM Associate Member ICF Aisling Woodhead Alex Hewitt James Doyle Englands Community Forests #thameschse #community #volunteers #environment #nature #tidy #rubbish #litter

There is still time to apply! See full details below on our current positions for Chair of the Thames Chase Trust and Trustees.