A Brief History of the Epping Forest Outdoor Group
History
The group was founded in 1956 and was originally known as the Walthamstow and Chingford Youth Hostel Association Local Group (WCYHA group).
The group held its first meeting on 14 March 1956 in the Forest Road School, Walthamstow. Shortly after it started to hold regular Thursday evening meetings at a now closed school in Walthamstow High Street, next to the swimming pool, led initially by Doug and Mary (surnames lost in the mists of history).
By 1970, the group were meeting at Markhouse Youth Centre, Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, and sometime between July 1970 and November 1971, the group moved to the Scout hut at the rear of 207 Wood Street, Walthamstow, where they continued to meet for many years until at least 1990.
By 1996, the group had changed venue and were meeting at the ROVSCO (Rover Scouts) Hall, the Scout hut near Snaresbrook Station. Meeting at a hall in Redbridge, the name ‘Walthamstow and Chingford YHA group’ was not felt to be appropriate and in January 2001 the group changed its name to Epping Forest Outdoor Group (EFOG) which better reflected its location.
In 2015 the original ROVSCO hall, which was built in 1977, was replaced by a much larger hall, requiring the group to move temporarily to a scout hall in South Woodford. On completion of the work, the group returned to the new improved larger hall, which is where they currently meet.
Awards or Trophies won
In 1995 the group won the National YHA prize for the best conservation work carried out by a local group. In 2010 they won the “Conservation” and “Display” awards at the YHA annual conference and were 3rd in the President’s trophy, which considers all aspects of the group.
The Rodings Rally
The Rodings Rally was an annual all-night orienteering and map-reading competition that took place in Epping Forest, organised and run by the Group. It ran for 62 years until the final event in 2018, and was a major fund raiser for the group, as well as raising funds for several local charities.
The first Rodings Rally is thought to have taken place in 1957, with Dave Bleach and Brian Smith organising it using standard O.S. maps and was based at the High Roding Youth Hostel. The centre for the event changed over the years, including Ivinghoe Youth Hostel near Tring in Hertfordshire and Hatfield Forest, before eventually settling at High Beach and the village hall.
The event traditionally took place on a Saturday night in November, challenging participants to find five or ten checkpoints scattered across Epping Forest. Teams navigated a 6 or 12-mile course, based on bespoke maps, finishing at High Beach Village Hall. The event was popular attracting up to 100 teams, but labour intensive, and was became increasingly difficult to staff properly and so the decision was made to make 2018 the last rally. Thanks to everyone who helped over the years.
Notable Events and Holidays
During the group’s long history there have been a number of events or holidays which became regular highlights for the groups’ members to participate in over the years. Apart from the Rodings Rally, these include:
Tanners Marathon – a long distance walk, with options ranging from 10 miles up to an impressive 50 miles, starting and finishing in Leatherhead, Surrey.
The Blackwater Marathon – a long distance walk around some of the more remote parts of the Essex countryside and coast, ranging from 13 up to 26 miles.
Foreign Holidays – numerous trips abroad for walking holidays, mainly to Europe, e.g. France, Italy and Ireland, organised by several people including Ken Kennedy, Andrea Osborne and Eileen Cullen.
Canal holidays – several holidays on the UK’s network of canals, mainly on the Llangollen Canal in Wales, exploring the waterways and countryside. Organised by Peter and Maz Gamble.
North Downs Walk – a long distance walk from Box Hill, Surrey to Canterbury in Kent. Completed over a number of sections from July 2013 to October 2016. Led by Ken Kennedy.
Norfolk Broads Holiday (2015 – 2024) – boating holiday with members piloting large cruiser-type boats, navigating the tidal rivers and doing all the moorings and castings-off, arranged by Trev Eley.
Covid to Present
The Covid pandemic in 2020 prevented the group from holding its regular Thursday night meetings, although when the restrictions were eased, the group did hold weekly walks within the government regulations. The group resumed its regular Thursday evening meetings in August 2021. Currently the group has over 40 members, enjoying varied activities and organising a couple of fund-raising quizzes each year. In June 2026, the group celebrated its 70th anniversary with a party at the hall.
Contributors
Many thanks to those who have contributed to this history – Eilleen Cullen, Maz and Peter Gamble, Sue Stirling, Paul Ferris and Trev Eley.
September 2026
Rodings Rally: Preparation for the rally - Checkpoint Plotting in the depths of Epping Forest 
Roings Rally: The annual Group meal before the competitors arrive 
Competitors route-planning at the Rodings Rally
Rodings Rally: The results-logging team whilst the competition is taking place
Rodings Rally: Meals and relaxation for the finished teams; serving breakfast for EFOG members
Wales: Staying at EFOG member's Guest House at Betwys_y_Coed, November 2005
London: At St. Katherine's Dock, November 2005
Wales: Outside the hotel at Llundudno in April 2006
Sussex - A walk on the South Downs, staying at Alfriston Youth Hostel in August 2006
The Group's display stand at the Wanstead Festival, September 2006
Lake District: Staying at Windermere in February 2007
Wales: Narrowboating on the Llangollen Canal in April 2007
Ireland: Cape Clear Island off County Cork, August 2007
Sicily: EFOG members on Mount Etna at Christmas 2007
Essex: A local walk near Hainault Forest in April 2008
Kent: On the North Downs Way, April 2014
Scotland: Brodick, Isle of Arran, May 2016
Norfolk: Cruising on the Broads