Leyton Marshes
Encyclopedia
Leyton Marshes are located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest
at Leyton
.
, River Lee Navigation
, River Lee Flood Relief Channel
and Hackney Marshes
. Much of the original area has been taken over for other uses. The remaining open land is split into two distinct areas:
Other areas which were historically part of Leyton Marshes are now variously enclosed and put to other uses:
Lammas Lane, despite historic associations, is buried in an industrial estate alongside the railway.
Land: the land was divided into strips which were cultivated to grow hay for winter feed. Parishioners had ancient rights to graze cattle and horses between 1 August (after the hay harvest) and 25 March.
.
In the 19th century the marsh was polluted
by sewage from the extensive new residential developments in Walthamstow
and Leyton
.
By the 19th century the character of the marshes changed. Many acres were bought and built on by railway, water and gas companies. In the early 1890s the East London Waterworks Company
erected fences illegally which angered local people. On Lammas Day 1892 a large demonstration took place on the marsh and the fences were taken down. The locals set up the Leyton Lammas Lands Defence Committee and successfully challenged the water company in court. This led to the Leyton Urban District Council Act of 1904 that the marshes would be kept as an open space, in return for local people giving up Lammas rights. The fields at Marsh Lane did not come under this agreement and remain as Lammas land.
After World War II
the marsh was used to dump rubble from The Blitz
.
In 1971 the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
(LVRPA) acquired much of the land by compulsory purchase. They acquired the Essex filter beds (1986, now the Waterworks Nature Reserve) and the Middlesex filter beds (1988, now the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve), both on the south side of Lea Bridge Road and formerly part of the marsh. Much of the marsh is given over to football pitches and a fairground
site. The Lee Valley Ice Centre
and the Lee Valley Riding Centre have been built in recent years.
on 13 March, an ancient ritual which defines the boundaries of the land where grazing rights were enjoyed.
The part of the marsh north east of the lea valley road contains a large field which is used for a variety of events, including an annual schools countryside teaching event.. The area is also used by local people for sporting events, and is part of various cycling and running routes which take in Leyton Marshes as well as other local parks and marshes.
The area adjoins the 2012 Olympic Games site and some of the concerns about the extensive redevelopment apply here. The Manor Garden Allotments
on Hackney Marshes
are likely to be relocated to Marsh Lane, on the edge of the Leyton Marsh, despite having a thin layer of heavily polluted soil covering WW2 rubble.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
at Leyton
Leyton
Leyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
.
Geography
The marshes are bordered by the Walthamstow MarshesWalthamstow Marshes
Walthamstow Marshes, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI. It was once an area of lammas land — strips of meadow used for growing crops and grazing cattle....
, River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
, River Lee Flood Relief Channel
River Lee Flood Relief Channel
The River Lee Flood Relief Channel is located in the Lea Valley and flows between Ware, Hertfordshire and Stratford, east London. Work started on the channel in 1947 following major flooding and was fully operational by 1976...
and Hackney Marshes
Hackney Marshes
Hackney Marshes is an area of grassland on the western bank of the River Lea in the London Borough of Hackney. It was incorporated into the Lee Valley Park in 1967...
. Much of the original area has been taken over for other uses. The remaining open land is split into two distinct areas:
- Leyton Marsh, to the west of Lea Bridge Road, adjoins the Walthamstow MarshesWalthamstow MarshesWalthamstow Marshes, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI. It was once an area of lammas land — strips of meadow used for growing crops and grazing cattle....
Nature Reserve. - The Marsh Lane area, officially named Seymour Road Playing Field and Marsh Lane Playing Field, west and east of Marsh Lane respectively. Now cut off from the rest of the marshes, connected only by a long pedestrian bridge over the railway. Access from Lea Bridge Road is at the end of Seymour Road.
Other areas which were historically part of Leyton Marshes are now variously enclosed and put to other uses:
- Lee Valley Ice CentreLee Valley Ice CentreThe Lee Valley Ice Centre is situated in the Lee Valley Regional Park in London, England. Figure Skating, ice hockeyand public skating sessions are all available at Lee Valley Ice Centre.- Ice hockey :...
- Lea Valley Riding Centre
- Waterworks Nature Reserve
- Lea Valley Pitch and Putt Golf Course
Lammas Lane, despite historic associations, is buried in an industrial estate alongside the railway.
History
Originally more extensive open marsh, historically drained by means of open drainage ditches. The marsh is former LammasLammas
In some English-speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere, August 1 is Lammas Day , the festival of the wheat harvest, and is the first harvest festival of the year. On this day it was customary to bring to church a loaf made from the new crop...
Land: the land was divided into strips which were cultivated to grow hay for winter feed. Parishioners had ancient rights to graze cattle and horses between 1 August (after the hay harvest) and 25 March.
.
In the 19th century the marsh was polluted
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
by sewage from the extensive new residential developments in Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
and Leyton
Leyton
Leyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
.
By the 19th century the character of the marshes changed. Many acres were bought and built on by railway, water and gas companies. In the early 1890s the East London Waterworks Company
East London Waterworks Company
The East London Waterworks Company was one of eight private water companies in London absorbed by the Metropolitan Water Board in 1904.The company was founded by Act of Parliament in 1806, and in 1845 the limits of supply were described as "all those portions of the Metropolis, and its suburbs,...
erected fences illegally which angered local people. On Lammas Day 1892 a large demonstration took place on the marsh and the fences were taken down. The locals set up the Leyton Lammas Lands Defence Committee and successfully challenged the water company in court. This led to the Leyton Urban District Council Act of 1904 that the marshes would be kept as an open space, in return for local people giving up Lammas rights. The fields at Marsh Lane did not come under this agreement and remain as Lammas land.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the marsh was used to dump rubble from The Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
.
In 1971 the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is a statutory body that is responsible for managing and developing the long, Lee Valley Regional Park. The park was established by Parliament in 1967. The headquarters of the authority are based at Myddleton House, Bulls Cross in the London Borough of Enfield,...
(LVRPA) acquired much of the land by compulsory purchase. They acquired the Essex filter beds (1986, now the Waterworks Nature Reserve) and the Middlesex filter beds (1988, now the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve), both on the south side of Lea Bridge Road and formerly part of the marsh. Much of the marsh is given over to football pitches and a fairground
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
site. The Lee Valley Ice Centre
Lee Valley Ice Centre
The Lee Valley Ice Centre is situated in the Lee Valley Regional Park in London, England. Figure Skating, ice hockeyand public skating sessions are all available at Lee Valley Ice Centre.- Ice hockey :...
and the Lee Valley Riding Centre have been built in recent years.
Recent history and current use
The New Lammas Lands Defence Committee, a revival of the organisation, is currently active promoting and on occasion defending the public use of the marsh. Events include organised walks, and an annual highlight: beating the boundsBeating the bounds
Beating the bounds is an ancient custom still observed in some English and Welsh parishes. A group of old and young members of the community would walk the boundaries of the parish, usually led by the parish priest and church officials, to share the knowledge of where they lay, and to pray for...
on 13 March, an ancient ritual which defines the boundaries of the land where grazing rights were enjoyed.
The part of the marsh north east of the lea valley road contains a large field which is used for a variety of events, including an annual schools countryside teaching event.. The area is also used by local people for sporting events, and is part of various cycling and running routes which take in Leyton Marshes as well as other local parks and marshes.
The area adjoins the 2012 Olympic Games site and some of the concerns about the extensive redevelopment apply here. The Manor Garden Allotments
Manor Garden Allotments
Manor Garden Allotments were allotment gardens occupying between the River Lea and the Channelsea River in Hackney Wick, London, England. They are also sometimes referred to as Eastway Allotments, particularly in the 2012 Summer Olympics planning application documents...
on Hackney Marshes
Hackney Marshes
Hackney Marshes is an area of grassland on the western bank of the River Lea in the London Borough of Hackney. It was incorporated into the Lee Valley Park in 1967...
are likely to be relocated to Marsh Lane, on the edge of the Leyton Marsh, despite having a thin layer of heavily polluted soil covering WW2 rubble.