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Following an enquiry I received regarding past residents of Chigwell Row, my research uncovered some interesting facts relating to the Forest and its inhabitants. Since 1998 Hainault Forest has been under the care of the Woodland Trust, having previously been looked after by Redbridge Council.

Queen Victoria Disafforested the area and the land was sold off for farming. 2006 marks the anniversary of this event and the Woodland Trust have a number of plans for events to mark this anniversary.

Peter Cavill, of Kelmscott in Western Australia and formerly of Enfield, North Middlesex/London; had uncovered links that his family had with the area. He told me:

'About 20 years ago, I began my research in to my Cavill family tree; and subsequently came to find out that my Great Grandad, John Cavill, was born in Chigwell Row-cum-Lambourne area in 1842. This direct Cavill line of mine lived in this area since the mid-late 1700's, which included Gravel Lane , and "Crabtree Cottage" (changed to "Rodingbrook Cottage" in the late 1950's)  in Hainault Forest. A chance enquiry revealed that there is a "Cavill's Walk" in this part of Hainault Forest; and subsequent researches also revealed that this walk has been on local maps for well over 100 years. The walk itself is credited to James Cavill(1802-1888) wheelwright, and resident of "Abridge Cottage" in Abridge itself. This cottage stood where a petrol service station now stands, directly opposite the "White Hart" pub. I later found out that this James Cavill is distantly related to my own Cavill line; in as much that my Great-great Grandad, Philip Cavill, and this James Cavill had the same Great-great Grandad, who came from Sheering.'

That area was known for its local charcoal burners, and I'd bet that more than one or two of the local Cavills of the time were amongst them. My Great x 3 Grandmother, Mary-Anne Cavill (nee: Miller), was listed as living in (tenant) "Crabtree Cottage" at the time of the 1841 Census (her husband, John Cavill, had passed away in 1825). This cottage was renamed "Rodingbrook Cottage" in the late 1950's - early 1960's; and has received considerable restoration; some of the original structures still as per original.

James Cavill's only son, Mortimer Cavill, attended the Chigwell Grammar School. '

To mark this, Pete had two brass plaques installed in December 1995, with the approval & permission of the Redbridge Council. One is placed opposite Rodingbrook Cottage, and the other at the Camelot Pub end of the walk.

Further information on the Forest may be found at both the Hainault Forest  and the Woodland Trust websites.

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