Local wildlife enthusiast and conservationist, George Washington, leads guided tours around The City of London Cemetery every month.  The walks are free and suitable for people with disabilities.

Over 100 different types of tree grow in the City of London Cemetery and here are a couple of little-known facts about just two: yews are highly poisonous but a substance extracted from them is being used to combat ovarian cancer; sycamores have been successfully used to form wind breaks in coastal places where other trees are killed by salt-laden spray.

The cemetery was opened in 1856. Many of the plants carved on older headstones are not only there for decoration. Grapevines indicate that people have been judged worthy by God.  Ivy clings to what it grows on and, to the Victorians, symbolised a strong marriage. It was added to indicate that the deceased was greatly missed by the surviving husband or wife.

Robert Hook is buried in the Cemetery. He got his idea for the hypodermic needle while studying what enables the stinging nettle to sting.

George Washington (pictured right), who was born and still lives in Walthamstow, shares such snippets during the walks he leads in the cemetery. He says: “Although I choose the routes, I encourage everyone to share the knowledge they have and to point out anything they spot which I miss.”

George has led walks for all sorts of groups and is particularly keen to point out that his walks are suitable for individuals with disabilities.  If anyone has an interest in natural history and a disability which they feel prevents them from taking part in wildlife walks, he would like them to get in touch with him on the number below.  He says: “All of us live in this wonderful world and it’s not just able-bodied individuals who can appreciate it and who can make contributions to our knowledge about it.”

Contact George on: 07944 551485.  (The walks usually take place on the third Monday of every month.)