GUESTS at the Gardens of Easton Lodge did their best to connect with nature during a fun filled afternoon on Sunday. Wildlife activities led by Essex country park ranger, Duncan Fisher, proved popular amongst parents and children, both young and old. Mr F

GUESTS at the Gardens of Easton Lodge did their best to connect with nature during a fun filled afternoon on Sunday.

Wildlife activities led by Essex country park ranger, Duncan Fisher, proved popular amongst parents and children, both young and old.

Mr Fisher said: "It was great to show people what different trees and plants actually look like. The grand estates and gardens of the Victorian era were at the cutting edge of plant collections from all around the world.

"Easton Lodge also has some splendid native trees but remnants of the associated deer park are now long gone."

The day was part of the gardens recently awarded 'BBC Breathing Places' status which aims to inspire learning and local connections with nature through schools and events. The gardens also received a lottery grant to help with community projects, securing it from any threat of closure in the process.

The gardens also launched a new 'Sensory Trial' section designed by artist Lynn Cox to give some of the area a more inclusive feel.

Mrs Cox said: "When asked to work on this project, I was slightly wary because most organisations would see creating a sensory project as planting a section of the gardens with scented plants and labelling it as part of the garden for visually impaired people.

"I was greatly relieved that the Gardens of Easton Lodge had a more sophisticated and inclusive approach to making the whole gardens more accessible to every visitor."

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