News
SNOWDROPS 2010
PRESS RELEASE – 8 March 2010 (extract)
KNOCKOUT SUCCESS OF SNOWDROP SUNDAYS!
Visitors have come in droves to the Gardens of Easton Lodge over the last three weeks proving once again the tremendous popularity of this much loved local amenity. Over 1200 adults, many of them with children, came to the latest Sunday’s opening (7 March) when the glorious sunshine showed the snowdrops at their best.
With just one more Snowdrop Sunday to come on Mothering Sunday, 14 March, interest is expected to be just as strong to see the beautiful snowdrop carpets at their peak. The cold weather of recent months has prolonged their season to advantage and now, with the return of brighter days, the gardens provide a cheering boost for those looking for signs of spring.
Volunteers from the Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust have been manning the gates and grounds, and serving home-made soups, cakes and other refreshments in the courtyard of Warwick House, set at the heart of the gardens, to make the open days even more enjoyable. The team is determined that these much-loved gardens be opened regularly and enjoyed to the full and a series of once-a-month Sunday openings is planned from April to October. For more details on these open days, click here
MP OPENS SNOWDROP SUNDAYS AT THE GARDENS OF EASTON LODGE, Lt. Easton, Nr Dunmow, Essex
Sir Alan Haselhurst officially opened the first of four Snowdrop Sundays at the Gardens of Easton Lodge on Sunday 21 February 2010.
The Saffron Walden MP cut the ribbon in the presence of Brian and Diana Creasey who have worked tireless over recent decades to restore the gardens. They were joined at the opening by members of the public and Little Easton Parish Council and some of the gardens’ trustees.
The trustees and a team of volunteers are working to ensure a regular series of open days in 2010 at the historic haunt of Edward VII who regularly visited “Darling Daisy”, Countess of Warwick, over 100 years ago.
The blooming of the thousands of snowdrops across the grounds has become a much loved feature of the gardens, heralding the approach of spring. This year, after such a snowy winter, they were more welcome than ever.
Speaking at the event, Sir Alan said: “The Gardens of Easton Lodge are a jewel in Essex’s rural crown. The carpet of snowdrops is a picture in all weathers. This joyous sight provides an early hint that spring is on the way.”
Home made soups and cakes are being served on each of the Sunday openings in the courtyard of Warwick House, set amid the gardens, to sustain visitors who venture out to see the first signs of spring. Snowdrops ‘in the green’ are also available for purchase for those looking to start – or add to – their own snowdrop carpets.
Opening times for the next three Snowdrop Sundays (28 February, 7 and 14 March) are 12 noon to 4pm. Tickets cost just £2.50 for adults, children enter free.
DEVELOPMENTS & NEWS FOR 2010
After the tremendous success of the Open Day on 9 August (see below), the Trust has been planning to do all we can, albeit on a shoestring, to get the Gardens in shape and open to the public in 2010.
Our plan is to open for the Snowdrops season - four Sunday afternoons from around mid-February to mid-March. We will of course let you know precise dates in January when Brian and Diana Creasey confirm the progress of the snowdrops in pushing through.
There may even be a series of Open Sundays from April to October so watch this space!
If you think you might be able to help us as we prepare for the arrival of the snowdrops, and hopefully the General Public, you may be interested to know that we’ve also started a series of regular gardening sessions.
The first series of these will be focused around leaf clearance before the snowdrops season, and we can confirm the following dates/times for these – please let us know if you can help with any of them, or just turn up for all or part of each session:
- Thursday 26 November – 10am to 2pm
- Sunday 29 November – 10am to 2pm
- Thursday 3 December – 10am to 2pm
- Sunday 6 December – 10am to 2pm
- Thursday 10 December – 10am to 2pm
Tea and coffee will be provided in Warwick House by Brian and Diana, but if you’re around over lunch, please bring sandwiches.
We will keep you posted on more specific details and volunteer opportunities in due course.
OUR SPECIAL SUMMER OPEN DAY ON SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2009
Many thanks are due to all those who turned out in such force for the special opening of the Gardens of Easton Lodge on Sunday 9 August. Some 2000 people enjoyed a glorious afternoon in the tranquil Edwardian gardens designed for “Darling Daisy”, Countess of Warwick and were reminded what a beautiful and precious asset we have in the Gardens.
The many people who helped to ensure the day was a success must also be thanked - from those who served teas and donated home-made cakes, organised the nature trail and facepainting, or who provided information about the plans for the gardens, to those who work on the gardens - their efforts made it a day to remember.While the Gardens of Easton Lodge have been and will remain closed for most of this year, it’s clear there is still tremendous support for them to be open on a regular basis and it is hoped that with volunteer support this will become possible in 2010 starting with the magic of the snowdrop carpets in February. If you’d like to be kept in touch with details of volunteering opportunities and of future openings, please email enquiries@eastonlodge.co.uk.
Further MEDIA INFO is available by clicking on 9-aug-press-info.txt
NEWS RELEASE
16th February 2009
Closure of the Gardens of Easton Lodge
The Trustees of the Gardens of Easton Lodge, at Little Easton near Great Dunmow in Essex, are sorry to announce that the Gardens will not open to the public in 2009, after the end of the snowdrop season.
The Trust has come to the conclusion that, due to financial constraints, it is not feasible to open the Gardens as in recent years.
Poor weather experienced over the summer of 2008 affected the number of visitors. Consequently, the reserves of funding at the disposal of the Trustees are now exhausted and, in the short term and in the present wider financial situation, hopes of replenishing those reserves sufficiently are slim. All members of the current paid staff have been given notice.
The Board of Trustees has taken this difficult decision so as to focus efforts on raising the substantial capital sums to enable proposed restoration projects and updating of visitor facilities. A major part of this effort will be to secure Lottery funding to restore the major heritage elements of the Gardens and therefore enable the Gardens to earn sufficient income to operate as a sustainable business. This can be achieved without spoiling the essential attractiveness of the Gardens to loyal supporters, whom the Trustees look forward to welcoming back as soon as possible.
The Trust hopes that, with the help of volunteers, and with the assistance of the majority land owners, Land Securities, access will be possible on special open days during the closure period.
The Trust would like once again to thank the many loyal staff, friends, volunteers and patrons who have made such a massive contribution to the gardens over the years. We can reassure them that the Gardens will be maintained by Land Securities during the closure period.
It is important that the Trust continues, so that the great work of Brian and Diana Creasey in restoring and opening these important Gardens to the public is not lost. Whilst it is not possible at present to set a reopening date, the Gardens will not close until the annual snowdrop openings have concluded. These are very late in flowering this year but it is now hoped that openings will take place from 21st to 28th February inclusive. Visitors should watch the website (www.eastonlodge.co.uk) or local press and media or ‘phone the office on 01371 876979 for the latest information on opening days and times.
ENDS
Director’s Diary 1 December 2008
So the end of another season means we are now in full flight putting the garden to bed for the winter – dismantling furniture and marquees, overwintering tender plants, pruning and cutting back in the borders. Although we’re now closed to visitors, this is one of our busiest times in the office with running our ‘Talking Gardens’ lecture series, preparing for Snowdrops and next year’s events, setting up Group Visits and Group Talks and of course planning and setting up facilities for next year. ‘Daisy’ will be watching over us from now on as Anne Schwegmann-Fielding’s iconic sculpture has joined us in the Dovecote for the winter. I would like to thank all our Volunteers and Staff for their help in all aspects since May - we treasure you and couldn’t make this work without you.
The Gardens continue to attract Volunteers and since September’s Newsletter, another four have come on board. Looking back over the season, it has been a steep learning curve for the Trust which has provided us with the information that we need to take the Gardens forward. There are exciting developments in the pipeline for next year – all I can say is ‘watch this space’. In the meantime, the team and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas full of family, friends and festive spirit and we’ll see you in February for the Snowdrops.
Special Second-Hand Books!
We have raised a considerable sum of money this year through the sale of donated second-hand books. All proceeds go to the Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust.
Some of these publications may be of particular interest to collectors and we have pleasure in listing them below. Please note that buyer will need to collect:
The Children’s Encyclopedia - offers invited
Edited by Arthur Mee, and comprising 10 volumes. Not dated but we think 1930’s. In very good condition and containing numerous beautiful illustrations by well-known artists.
Please get in touch with us if you are interested in these items. See Contact Us for details.
Christine Walkden & The Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust
In aid of the Gardens of Easton Lodge Appeal, Christine Walkden gave two great talks at Foakes Hall at the end of January 2008. We enjoyed Christine’s humourous account of working with the BBC for the filming of the TV series ”Christine’s Garden” at her home & Christine was happy to share her knowledge with us at ‘question time’, which took place after each talk.
Our thanks go to Christine once again, and to everyone who supported the event by attending, and to all volunteers who helped make the day such a success. The Appeal Fund was boosted by an impressive £1,300!
If you would like to find out more about Christine Walkden’s passion for plants, please click on this link www.christinewalkden.com
“The Edwardian Gardens of Harold Peto” by one of our Trustees, Robin Whalley.
The book is filled with a stunning collection of archive photographs of all Peto’s gardens and is essential reading for anyone who wants to know more about Peto and his work. Please get in touch with us if you would like to know how to get hold of a copy.
Peto’s treehouse
It was erected in 1902 to seat up to 10 adults but is now in a severe state of decay. The Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust entrusted the delicate job of dismantling and conserving the Treehouse into the hands of David Leviatin, a skilled crafts-man from Boxed Heart Timber Frame (October 2007). David’s considerable experience and success in historical and conservation projects has ensured that the Treehouse will be ready for restoration, at the earliest opportunity.
