HISTORY OF HAINAULT FOREST
OLYMPICS 2012
During 2005 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Britain had won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. London narrowly beat the favourite Paris in the final vote after several rounds of elimination. This would be London's first time holding the event since 1948 and was celebrated as a "momentous day" by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. London Mayor Ken Livingstone had overseen the winning bid and hoped it would usher in much-needed redevelopment for the East End of London. As part of the project a temporary military camp was set up in Hainault Forest containing personnel responsible for keeping the Olympics Games secure.
Hainault Forest was one of several locations across London where Military personnel would be based. Preparation work began on 1st June 2012 with new paths appearing near the main entrance soon afterwards.
Security concerns surfaced after the 2011 England riots and some countries worried about safety. Several former police officers became critical of security firm G4S concerning staff shortages, but the shortfall was made up with the deployment of 3,500 extra armed troops to guard Olympic venues. The games would pass without incident.
The British Army use Snoozebox hotels for temporary, modular, and versatile accommodation at large events, work sites and deployments. They can be erected, dismantled, and moved quickly, making them ideal for temporary needs. They are built from modified shipping containers providing comfortable lodging with en-suite facilities.
The camp was put in an area prone to waterlogging historically known as "Lord's Pond Fields". Heavy rain in June and July became a hindrance. Several lorries making deliveries got stuck in mud causing chaos and a temporary car park marked out several times became too wet to use. The original plans had to be revised but in the end the problems were overcome.
Naturalist Brian Ecott spoke to BBC London reporter Ayshea Buksh at the Global Cafe about the disruption to Hainault Forest. Other locals and camp personnel also gave their thoughts about the Olympics. Roy Meekings (white shirt) and Sidney Parker (brown cardigan) were also interviewed.
The Olympic flame arrived in Cornwall from Greece on 18th May 2012. Over the next seventy days 8,000 people took turns carrying the torch through Britain starting at Land's End.
On July 22nd the Olympic Torch passed through the Borough of Redbridge. It left Redbridge Cycling Centre in Forest Road at 7.19am and headed towards Barkingside, then Gants Hill and Ilford. Peter Comber was up bright and early to watch.
Great Britain had 530 athletes competing and finished third on the Medal table. Britain won 65 medals; 29 Gold, 18 Silver and 18 Bronze.
THE LEGACY...
The London Olympics helped inspire young athletes like Aleeya Sibbons who would later be part of the Great Britain relay team. Aleeya's early training sessions involved running up and down Hog Hill in Hainault Forest. During 2023 she helped secure a 4x100m relay Gold for Great Britain & Northern Ireland in a record time of 43.04 at the European Athletics U23 Championships at Espoo, Finland. She was also a prospect for the 2024 Olympics and took part in the qualification rounds, but sadly due to injury could not participate in the Paris Games. This picture shows Aleeya with Brian Ecott enjoying a cup of tea at the Global Cafe.
It took a couple of years before the area between Foxburrow Road and the First Car Park became fully accessible to the public again. It is now a wildflower meadow with paths cut through it and has never looked lovelier!
Written by Raymond Small. Thank you to Mike Rumble, Brian Ecott and Peter Comber for their contributions.
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