RSA x Copped Hall: Restoring the Irreplaceable
About this Event
The afternoon will start off by an exclusive guided tour of Copped Hall and its beautiful parkland, nestled within the ancient woodland of Epping Forest. Saved from aggressive redevelopment following a ten-year campaign, this once-derelict Georgian estate, steeped in history, has been the lifelong restoration project of Alan Cox and local volunteers, exemplifying the power of community stewardship in safeguarding heritage for future generations.
The evening panel discussion will explore, through the inspiring work taking place across East London and West Essex, how community action can educate, engage, and empower people to develop a collective sense of care and responsibility for restoring and inhabiting the natural world around them.
The conversation will open with a keynote address by Alan Cox, Chair of the Copped Hall Trust, followed by presentations from Dr Miriam Burke, CEO of East London Waterworks Park, Peter Lewis, CEO of Epping Forest Heritage Trust and Dr Peter Warne, nature photographer and author of Finding Wildlife in Epping Forest. The evening will conclude with a panel discussion chaired by Elsa Jacob of the RSA West Essex Steering Committee.
Guests may attend the full programme or join either the afternoon tour or the evening discussion.
To ensure that the event remains accessible to all, shared transport from Loughton Station to Copped Hall is available to those who need it. Find out more below
This event is organised and hosted by the RSA West Essex network. Ticket prices cover operational costs and transport. All remaining proceeds will support the Copped Hall Trust’s commitment to community-led restoration.
Additional info
Accessibility: Please note that the afternoon tour will involve using stairs within Copped Hall and walking over uneven outdoor ground, which may present a challenge for some. The evening event, held on the ground floor, will be fully accessible to guests with mobility requirements.
Parking: Extensive free parking is available for cars and bikes at Copped Hall entrance
Transport arrangements: Pre-paid shared transport to Copped Hall will be made available at Loughton Station, on the Central Line, leaving at 15:00 for the afternoon tour and 17:15 for the evening discussion. When booking your ticket, please indicate if you require transportation.
There are no transport arrangements back to the station after the event, as many attendees will be leaving at different times. Guests will need to organise their own return.
Contact: Should you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]
About the RSA and the RSA West Essex Community
The RSA is a London-born society with over 270 years of history, now spanning over 80 countries. Its mission is to bring a diversity of people and ideas together, and transform a shared imagination into real progress. Its core objectives include community cohesion, advancing justice for those who need it most, and resilience for both People and Planet. Local RSA Fellow communities are self-organising, each pursuing its own societal priorities. This event exemplified the social and environmental values that animate the RSA West Essex Community.
Disclaimers
Taking part in RSA in-person events
This is a paid ticketed event. To participate in this event, you will need to register for a ticket so that we can manage capacity. Our events are frequently oversubscribed so if you are subsequently unable to attend, please cancel your Eventbrite booking so we can make room for others on the Wait List. A full refund will be processed if at least 5 days’ notice is provided before the start of the event (not including Eventbrite's non-refundable ticket fee of £2.30).
Accessibility and Inclusivity
At the RSA, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all Fellows. We ask that you fill out the accessibility requirements box in your Eventbrite booking form in advance of our events to ensure that we can accommodate such requirements.
Join Circle and connect with others who attend this event
Join Circle, the RSA’s community platform, to stay up to date on the latest events and connect with Fellows across the world. To get started on Circle, you need to have an RSA account. If you already have an account, your account details will be the same for Circle.
Data and Personal Information
By registering for this event you consent to receiving communications about this event, both before and after, and you agree to the sharing of your name, organisation & title with the Fellow(s) and/or partner organisation(s) hosting this event. Attendees also agree to the sharing of their name and organisation with other delegates at the event so that they might contact you. If you do not wish this information to be shared, please let us know by emailing: [email protected].
Please note that filming/photography may take place at this event for promotional and archival purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let us know by contacting [email protected].
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Please be aware that registrations will close two hours before the event is due to start.
Agenda
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Doors open - afternoon attendees arrival
🕑: 03:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Guided tour of Copped Hall
Info: Tour will include grounds parkland, gardens and community-led restoration projects, preceded by a short introduction on the history and restoration of the Hall
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:15 PM
Evening attendees arrival & refreshments
Info: Attendees registration. Networking and car bar refreshments available, before evening attendees are seated at 18:15.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:35 PM
Evening lecture - Welcome & introduction
Info: By Paul Mercer FRSA, Lead of the RSA West Essex Community
🕑: 06:35 PM - 06:55 PM
Keynote presentation - Copped Hall history & restoration project
Info: Keynote presentation from Alan Cox, Chair of the Copped Hall Trust, sharing the Hall's story and the ongoing community-led restoration project
🕑: 06:55 PM - 07:10 PM
Short talk: Wildlife that calls Copped Hall home
Info: Presentation from Dr. Peter Warne, accomplished nature photographer, author of Finding Wildlife in Epping Forest, and Volunteer of Copped Hall studying and monitoring the wildlife on the Estate
🕑: 07:10 PM - 07:25 PM
Short talk: Communities together for Epping Forest
Info: Speaker presentation from Peter Lewis, CEO of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, and Director of Mike’s Table
🕑: 07:25 PM - 07:40 PM
Short talk: Wild swimming, wild belonging
Info: Speaker presentation from Dr. Miriam Burke, CEO of the East London Waterworks Park, and COO of the London Development Trust
🕑: 07:40 PM - 08:10 PM
Panel discussion
Info: Panel discussion chaired by Elsa Jacob, Steering Committee member of the RSA West Essex Community, Sustainability & Climate Resilience Strategist at Buro Happold, and Independent Researcher & Advisor to institutions such as the IUCN
🕑: 08:10 PM - 08:25 PM
Audience Q&A
🕑: 08:25 PM - 08:30 PM
Concluding comments and thanks
Info: Vote of thanks from Elizabeth Donelly, Fellowship Councillor of the RSA, and closing remarks from Paul Mercer
🕑: 08:30 PM - 09:00 PM
Evening networking until close
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 20.21
