The Trust’s Governing document set out two objectives:

• To promote the education of the public on matters connected with the history, arts and sciences of garden land:

• To preserve, enhance and re-create for the education and enjoyment of the public, garden land that may exist or have existed in Essex.

In order to do the second, it is first necessary to find out what exists or has existed. Our researchers do this through examining old and current maps, other archived material and visiting the area to see what is on the ground.

We have already done this for six council districts and one unitary authority in Essex: Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Maldon, Thurrock and Uttlesford.

Copies of the resulting inventories can be found on the Inventories webpage.

‘In July 2023 we were delighted to be awarded a grant of £3,000 by the Essex Heritage Trust to support the project being led by Emma Cannell to define historic gardens and landscapes in the City of Southend. The project was completed in the summer of 2024 and covered 14 sites providing a comprehensive account of the history and current condition of historic green space in the city.

During the course of the year Emma attended events run by local volunteer groups including the annual Wassail, held at St Laurence Orchard. These occasions provided her with the opportunity to promote Essex Gardens Trust. She has also started giving talks to societies in Southend explaining the importance of our inventory work and sharing the fascinating story of historic designed landscapes in the city.  As well as gaining a further appreciation of Southend’s green spaces, attendees cannot believe that there are no listed parks or gardens in the city. The inventory has definitely provided the information to try to change this. Emma will be giving further talks and hopefully gaining some new volunteers for future projects over the next few months.’

If you’d like to read what one of our researchers has to say about volunteering, look here.