Get ready for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity’s Rural Ramble

Join the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity for our Rural Ramble at The Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge on Saturday 13th April. Last year, we welcomed over three hundred supporters who joined the charity for our very first Rural Ramble raising over £5,000!

The gardens which are entirely maintained by volunteers, comprise of a walled kitchen garden dating back to the 18th century, a wild flowers area for the bees, formal gardens, beautiful carpets and expansive colourful displays of flowers in Spring and Summer.

There are three distance options for participants to choose from; 10 mile walk and garden visit, 4 mile walk and garden visit or a 1 mile walk family trail and garden visit – dogs on leads are welcome. As part of the visit a delicious cream tea is included with each ticket.

Situated a few minutes outside the historic market town of Great Dunmow, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy a beautiful walk around the surrounding countryside and The Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge.

Last year, participants were full of praise for the event;

“I would just like to say thank you for organising a great first Rural Ramble. My husband, two children, two dogs and I completed the 10 mile ramble today. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, the organisation, the route and the tea afterwards were all excellent and for the first time in a long time the weather was on everyone’s side!” 

Nicola Bird, therapist at Helen Rollason Centre Rochelle House in Chelmsford took part in the 10 mile route;

“My husband Alan and I did the 10 mile route last year and it was lovely seeing the countryside and everyone else too. The weather and complementary cream tea at the end was a definite bonus. I’m taking part again this year and I’m really looking forward to it again.”

 Claire Matthews, a trustee of the Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust, said:

“We are delighted that the Gardens are to be the focal point of the Helen Rollason Rural Ramble again on Saturday 13th April. The Grade II listed Gardens are being lovingly restored by volunteers to enable the public to enjoy the wealth of history and biodiversity that the Gardens abound in. 

We hope that this event will encourage even more people to come to find out more about these fascinating Gardens. Their history spans from the mid-1590s, through the Edwardian era and Second World War, right up to the current time, when important and exciting renovation is taking place.” 

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Fundraising Coordinator Suzanne Watson added.

“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of participants that joined us at our very first Rural Ramble in partnership with The Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge – we even had a waiting list! It was great to see families, groups of friends, children and dogs enjoying the walk and the stunning gardens. 

We couldn’t organise such an amazing and successful event without the help of our great team of volunteers, staff, sponsors, supporters and of course all of the volunteers at The Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge. 

This year we already have lots of people signed up and looking forward to a great day out – we’re keeping our fingers crossed for sunny skies and warm Spring weather! Places are limited and must be pre-booked! You can register online using the form on our website (www.helenrollason.org.uk) or simply call 01245 380719.”

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