The following are links to various organisations that may be of interest.
General Interest
Braintree Beekeepers’ Association is part of Essex Beekeepers’ Association (EBKA) and we currently have over 100 members who are keen to promote and support beekeeping in the local area.
Growing Together – Cressing Temple. Information regarding the launch of our new Growing Together Cressing Temple therapeutic gardening project.
Other Essex Gardens to Visit
Green Island Gardens. A little piece of heaven on earth! Green Island Gardens is 20 acres of private gardens, open for the public to visit in Ardleigh near Colchester. Professionally designed by its owner Fiona Edmond, the land is laid out as a series of structured gardens displaying a huge range of unusual trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs – ‘A Plantsman’s Paradise’. We have the national collection of Hamamelis and autumn flowering Camellias. Featured in Country Living February 2019, and recommended in Great British Gardens 2019 and Essex Days Out.
Marks Hall Estate is a striking heritage landscape that extends to over 2,350 acres of Essex countryside. It includes tenanted farm holdings, residential and commercial property, broadleaved woodlands of high nature conservation value, an 18th century Coach House venue and at its heart a 200-acre Arboretum of world-class importance. The Arboretum forms an unmissable attraction in Essex, combining beautiful formal lakeside gardens, an enviable collection of trees originating from every temperate area of the world, and miles of leafy Woodland Walks to explore and enjoy.
Blunts Hall Garden The gardens at Blunts Hall are open each year for private group visits during the spring and summer for the National Garden Scheme. Blunts Hall Garden moves seamlessly through the seasons welcoming carpets of snowdrops and aconites in the spring. Daffodils and bluebells then take centre stage along with apple blossom in the orchard and spring flowering shrubs. Moving into early summer alliums and irises fill the borders before moving onto high summer with salvias, penstemons and roses adding perfume and colour.
Gardening Related Websites
Essex Gardens Trust. We share our love of gardens and landscapes, their design, making, history and the stories that surround them; and we foster that love in others by organising events for the interest and enjoyment of our members and the wider public.
Visit Woottens of Winhanston to pick up some great tips on Pelargonium winter maintenance
East Anglian Gardening Group Founded over 50 years ago by some of East Anglia’s leading horticulturalists, EAGG is a diverse group who all share one passion: gardens.
We aim to promote the very best in horticulture, getting speakers of the highest calibre and exchanging ideas with our members when visiting gardens, sharing beautiful places with like-minded people. organising garden visits, plant sales and our lovely summer social event.
If you are not yet a member follow the link to see what you are missing…
Woman’s Farm & Garden Association. If you are a keen gardener and want to develop your skills this is the site for you…
EEOP. A site for all those who have an interest in the heritage of orchard fruit.
The Historic Gardener offers talks and displays on gardening from the Roman period to the 1940’s ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign. I have one of the largest privately owned collections of authentic and replica gardening tools and equipment in the UK. I can provide talks on modern gardening too, including wildlife gardens.
Garden of medicinal plants. The Royal College of Physicians’ garden is for those who have an interest in plants that have medicinal properties.
Sites of Historical Interest
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. is for those who have an interest in historic buildings and their preservation. They run a number of courses and events throughout the year.
The Laindon & District Community Archive. Information can be found here regarding the life and work of Cecil Alex Hewett 1926-1998.
Essex Historic Buildings Group is dedicated to the study and publication of information on the lesser buildings in Essex. Formed in 1983 by a varied collection of professionals and amateurs, the EHBG have now published a continuing series of booklets, a manual on recording a building, hold a Day School once a year and provide Sunday guiding at the Cressing Temple site.
The Museum of the Order of St John A museum dedicated to telling the sorty of this unique and fascinating ancient religious military Order, from its origins of caring for the sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity.
Historic Building Geometry The website was set-up by the late Laurie Smith who was a geometer and early-building design researcher, specialising in historic geometrical design systems. His research is recorded in a series of articles available from this site as FREE downloads plus some printed paperback titles available at a modest fee that includes postage. Laurie designed the Gardeners’ Shelter in the walled garden. He produced a booklet outlining the design and build of the shelter which you will find on his site, or click Here to download a copy.
St John the Baptist Church or ‘The Round Church’ is situated in Little Maplestead, and is one of only 5 round churches in England; 4 are in use today with only 2 having a direct relationship with the military orders: The Templar church in London, which belonged to the Knights Templar and the church at Little Maplestead which belonged to the Knights Hospitallers.