Lake Stillwell seen from the slope of Ingrebourne Hill

Image: © Marathon Taken: 14 Dec 2016

Ingrebourne Hill was completed in partnership between the Forestry Commission and Ingrebourne Valley Limited (IVL).The site was a former sand and gravel quarry, which was filled with a range of materials, including bricks, concrete and metal before IVL purchased the site. The partnership between IVL and the Forestry Commission enabled a restoration scheme to be developed so that the disused site could be transformed into a country park with a high point at Ingrebourne Hill providing superb views. Squadron Leader Ronnie Stillwell was one of 'The Few' during the Battle of Britain. In the summer of 1940 he was a young Sergeant flying Spitfires with 65 Squadron which was then based at RAF Hornchurch, now Hornchurch Country Park. Ronnie Stillwell won the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for assisting downed colleagues and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for destroying three German aircraft. The lake is therefore named after him. See http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Stillwell.htm

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