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Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens take root!

Pre-booking is now closed but you can still pay on the day!

We are delighted to announce we are hosting our very first Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens event on Saturday 16th July 2022!

Ten beautiful gardens will be open to the public, offering something of interest for everyone and all within walking distance of each other (bar Crix). Private gardens will be open in the village from small cottage style gardens to large, impressive plots, including Crix on London Road.

Refreshments and plants will be available to be enjoyed in some of the gardens and we are also hosting our monthly Coffee Morning at our Support Centre on The Street with tea, homemade cakes and plant sale, hosted by our wonderful volunteers.

Ian and Alison Twinley will be opening their garden at Crix on London Road for the charity; “Our garden is quite extensive and features a balance of wild areas and charming woodland walks. We also have an array of animals including Aberdeen Angus Cattle, horses, Bantam chickens and look out for our gorgeous black Labrador Dotty!”

Abi and Richard Wood, both 45, along with three of their six children are also taking part; “For our garden design, I took inspiration from Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk and created an area of island beds which are still being populated with plants. 

Our garden is about half an acre; the front has a large drive with a sunken garden to the left and herbaceous cottage garden borders. On the right is a more natural style with a shaded rockery garden at the front and a large pond with a waterfall, waterlilies, iris’s and lots of fish, dragonflies and pond-skaters. The back garden is laid to lawn with seven island beds, a silver birch glade, pergola and summer house, along with a vegetable garden, apple trees, small grape vine and a greenhouse. Our cat Ada is 15 years old and can sometimes be found snoozing in one of the flower beds!

I wanted to take part in the Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity because I have sadly lost both parents to cancer within the space of three years and so I want to support a local charity that comforts those battling this disease.”

Josey Travell, 30, her partner Alex Hollocks 33, and dog, Laszlo four, are opening their cottage garden up for guests to enjoy; “Helen Rollason Cancer Charity is a fantastic local charity to raise money for and I am looking forward to showing what can be accomplished by the younger generation with other commitments such as work. I work regularly 50 to 60 hours per week and our garden is my haven, which I love sharing.

It features a wildlife patch, pond with frogs, cottage borders, a veggie patch and hedgehog house and feeding station for the four spikey visitors we have. The recent addition of Laszlo the dog into the garden has improved the soil turnover, through his burying of snacks and toys, but not necessarily as it was planned!”

Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Head of Fundraising and Marketing Zoe Jay said: “We are delighted to be holding our Open Gardens in the wonderful village of Hatfield Peverel. Why not have a restful and relaxing family day out with us? Summer flowers are in full bloom and on full display for all to see on Saturday 16th July between 10am and 4pm.

Gardens and gardening have become increasingly important and we are delighted to welcome visitors to join us for a day to remember. 

Tickets to enter the gardens will be available on the day from the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Support Centre on The Street, and we will also be holding our monthly Coffee Morning on the day. But you can book tickets in advance by clicking here. 

Or if you’d like to share your garden on behalf of the charity, please contact our Fundraising Team on 01245 380719 or email fundraising@helenrollason.org.uk.”

Hatfield Peverel Open Gardens in aid of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Saturday 16th July 10am – 4pm. Tickets including maps – Adults: £4 per person (On the day £5) Concessions 65+: £3 per person (On the day £4) and children under 16 go free.

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Make a difference

We are calling on everyone in our community to play a vital role in helping us to fundraise which will allow us to continue enabling quality of life while living with cancer. 

Tom Carr

I worked as a urologist with a special interest in cancer until my retirement in 2016. The patient journey with a new cancer is now often long and complex. Many need help to live their best life after treatment. Simple survival and the absence of cancer is not enough, feeling well and whole again is the goal. Social and psychological support makes all the difference. I am happy to help Helen’s charity to deliver that.

Kully Byatt

I have retired following a career at a senior management level in a range of sectors specialising in Human Resources, Project Management, Coaching and Mentoring skills. In addition since 2000 I have undertaken a number of voluntary Trustee roles for a range of organisations.

Through my desire to give back to a Charity that my mother personally benefitted from by utilising Complementary Therapies, I have for a couple of years volunteered for Helen Rollason Cancer Charity in the Retail Team and more recently this has inspired me to take up the role of Trustee so that I can contribute to the governance of HRCC in continuing to deliver vital services that benefit the community.

Jacqui Goulbourn

I’m a qualified accountant with over 20 years experience working in the NHS in Essex and beyond.  I know how vital charities in the healthcare arena are, to fill in where government funding doesn’t reach.  As a volunteer Trustee, I am pleased to be able to offer my skills and experience to help HRCC deal with these challenges, allowing staff to have a greater focus on providing services to the clients.

Friederike Englund

I am a cancer nurse by background and have supported those affected by cancer for over thirty years. I have worked very closely with the team at Helen Rollason and have seen the tremendous benefit and improvement in wellbeing that patients and carers experience through the support they receive. I am very keen to ensure that Helen Rollason widens its reach across all communities in Essex and offers support services that are effective and based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence.

Dave Johnson

I have always wanted to give something back following a corporate career in business development for technical services within the automotive industry.

I joined HRCC as a trustee to offer support and guidance to the very capable management team. It is nice to share my experiences and It is rewarding to see the team grow and deliver such important services.

Ben Schneider

I have been involved with HRCC for 15 years, initially through providing corporate sponsorship for fundraising events and then as a member of the Board, acting as Chair between 2020 and 2024.

With over 25 years’ experience as a Company Director in the Tech sector, I aim to bring my expertise in strategy, governance and digital transformation to support the charity in striving towards Helen’s vision of making good quality of life while coping with cancer available to everyone.

Andy Higgs

I have worked in the IT industry for over 14 years and before that, was a long-term retail manager so I have a broad range of experience to contribute to my trustee role, across the operations and retail areas. I am a husband and father of two and having lived in Chelmsford for many years, I really appreciate the opportunity to work with an excellent local charity.

My family has a deep connection with the charity as my wife, Kerry works in the Hatfield Peverel Centre and one of the family, who previously used the services, now volunteers. We’ve also been known to jump on bikes and get involved as we’ve all taken part in the Ride For Helen event over the years.

I am one of the newer trustees but I’m looking forward to contributing to the Charity’s purpose and goals.