With garden visiting becoming an evermore popular occupation, perhaps even an obsession, the arrival of spring is the ideal time of year to take a look at gardens which are opening around the county and start planning.
Television programmes may tempt us with gardens around the country and further afield, but the superb gardens which open their gates to the public in Essex shouldn’t be overlooked. With strict guidelines as to which gardens can be accepted onto the scheme, visitors can be sure that they will witness the best horticultural examples, as well as receiving excellent hospitality.
Originally established to raise funds for district nurses, the National Garden Scheme (NGS) is now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK with beneficiaries including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute. Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, the NGS has donated a total of £58 million to nursing and health charities since it was founded in 1927. In 2019 the scheme made total annual donations of £3 million from the 2018 season and as the county organiser for Essex I am very proud to report that more than £183,000 of that was raised in Essex.
And this year promises even more. Looking over the calendar for the year I am excited to see a number of debutant gardens providing our loyal visitors with new destinations as well as a chance to revisit some favourites. Here are some of the highlights.
NEW FOR 2020
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
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Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town
