The Gardens of Easton Lodge Preservation Trust is looking for more people to join their enthusiastic teams of volunteers and has different opportunities to suit everyone.

So why not make this the year you get out, give something back and have lots of fun doing it?

Monday Sessions: 10am – 3pm

Type of work undertaken includes scrub clearing, raking, fence repairs and general maintenance as required. The work requires a certain degree of fitness as it can involve dragging felled branches and raking up after brush cutting exercises.

Thursday Sessions: 10am – 3pm

The Thursday volunteers work to restore the grade II listed gardens designed by Harold Peto in 1902. The work involves all aspects of garden maintenance including weeding, digging, planting, pruning and general care of the flower beds. There are tasks to suit all levels of fitness, capability, knowledge and interest. There is a very sociable team of volunteers with a wide range of age and interests.

Saturday Sessions: 10am – 3pm

The Saturday volunteers are very excited to have just started to restore a Victorian walled garden. It is in the very early stages of restoration and the work at the moment involves clearing 1.8 acres of much neglected garden. The work involves clearing all the over grown vegetation, finding the original pathways and foundations of the glass houses and restoring one section at a time. The first section will be turned into a fruit orchard under planted with grass and wild flowers.

Open Days: Once a month on a Sunday from April to October with hours to suit

Roles available include working on the gate – greeting visitors and making them welcome, manning the children’s activities – crafts and the like, helping in the archive building selling merchandise and just generally mucking in where needed to give the best visitor experience possible.

There are hot drinks and homemade cake provided at all gardening sessions and also for open day volunteers.

Trustee Claire Matthews said: “We joke sometimes about whether volunteers come for the gardens or for the cake but whatever the reason everyone has a good time.

“We are a very friendly bunch and we will find the place where each volunteer fits in so that they have the best possible experience with us.”

Anyone interested in any of these sessions should e-mail enquiries@eastonlodge.co.uk or leave a message on 01371 876979. Further information is also available on the website, eastonlodge.co.uk.

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.