| The gardens of Easton Lodge | The Gardens are signposted from the A120 Great Dunmow. They are situated off the B184, 3 miles North of Great Dunmow. Follow the Brown Heritage Signs. The Gardens are open to the public from Easter to 31st October, 12pm – 6pm every Friday – Sunday plus Bank Holidays. Call 01371 876979 for more details. |
Building a personal relationship with a long deceased Countess wasn’t quite what I envisaged when I began volunteering at The Gardens of Easton Lodge. But Daisy’s indominatable spirit infuses every corner of this lovely place. History is of great inspiration to the Gardens as an arts venue – currently developing as the only one of it’s kind in this part of Essex, and facing an uncertain future due to lack of funding. I first came upon the gardens on a day trip. We were captivated by the magical spaces, the quirky, disheveled and interesting grounds, that whispered history. It became a favourite place for idyllic picnics and visits with family and friends. Loving it so much, I took the step from visitor to volunteer.
 | | Furniture |
After helping in a small way at the Invitation to Draw event in 2005, I found myself attending an awards ceremony at the British Museum, alongside the Arts Project Officer and Trustees. The Gardens had won a prestigious competition, as part of the Big Draw; A national campaign to raise the profile of drawing. Marking the history of the gardens as an air base in WW2, artists and schools produced prints, models and sculptures. These were on display with other art activities offered to visitors during the ‘Big Draw’ day in October 2005. History is inherent to each event. The major project for 2006 is inspired by mapping and travel to the gardens through the ages. In the late 19th century, Daisy installed her own station on the Bishops Stortford to Braintree railway line (now the Flitch Way).
 | | Art work in the garden |
From there, the ‘celebrities’ of the age, including Prince Edward, would be transferred by carriage to lively parties at the house. The ‘Invitation to Discover’ day on September 24th encourages visitors to come to the gardens using other means of transport than car. Already walking and cycling groups are involved. Art activities will be available for everyone on arrival. Local artists and schools are now working on maps of the estate dating back to the 15th Century, to produce art work to share in September.
 | | The gardens |
For the project to succeed, further funding has to be secured. The Arts Council like the ideas, but won’t put their hands in their pockets this time. There is plenty of art to see now at The Gardens of Easton Lodge. Beautiful wooden sculptures near the croquet lawn. Carved benches in the trees. A bust of Daisy, behind a manicured hedge, mosaic tables to take tea at, around the fountain in the courtyard. Temporary exhibitions of beautiful photography and watercolours in the Peto Pavilion. And on the Japanese Lawn, the shadow of an aeroplane, a reminder of the Gardens’ history in the war.
 | | Statue in the garden |
Volunteering in this beautiful, romantic place has it’s own rewards. Giving time and experience for free is paid back by having that sense of ownership beyond that of the everyday visitor, developing a personal relationship with a place. As for the Countess; she would have loved it. Seeing her Gardens being used in this way would make her proud. | 
