NEW life is being injected into the Gardens of Easton Lodge with the appointment of a new head gardener and regular volunteer sessions to support the restoration of the site made famous by Daisy, Countess of Warwick.

NEW life is being injected into the Gardens of Easton Lodge with the appointment of a new head gardener and regular volunteer sessions to support the restoration of the site made famous by Daisy, Countess of Warwick.

Robert Hanchet, graduate of Writtle College, has been appointed by the Trustees following their recent success in obtaining some �40,000 funding from the Life Raft Trust to secure the gardens’ future.

No stranger to the Gardens of Easton Lodge, Robert worked tirelessly in 2010 leading a volunteer team in the replanting of two of the beds in the Italian Garden, growing most of the plants from seed.

He now runs his own garden design company but was keen to continue his work with the Trust on a more formal basis as he is as passionate about the Gardens as they are.

His appointment means that there are now regular gardening sessions every other Thursday from 10am – 3pm at the gardens and the Trust is keen to welcome new volunteers to the team on a regular or ad hoc basis, even for just a few hours.

Experience is not necessary as Robert will be on hand to supervise and there are plenty of tasks for all levels of expertise. All that is needed is enthusiasm and a desire to help the gardens be returned to their former glory.

Welcoming Robert Hanchet’s appointment, Trustee Jim Boutwood said: “This is a tremendous step forward for the Gardens of Easton Lodge which means we can now make strides in restoring those parts of the gardens that have been sadly neglected in recent years.”

More information about getting involved with the gardening sessions is available by e-mailing enquiries@eastonlodge.co.uk or leaving a message on 01371 876979. Anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a Trustee or Friend of the gardens is also invited to get in touch

The next public open day is on Sunday April 17 from 12 noon to 6pm (last entry at 5pm) when the volunteer team will be serving refreshments by the croquet lawn. See eastonlodge.co.uk for further details of this and subsequent open days.

The Gardens of Easton Lodge are located just outside Great Dunmow in Little Easton, off the B184 (Great Dunmow to Saffron Walden road). Follow the brown heritage signs.