VANISHING VILLAGES

Terry Waite CBE will officially open the event at 12 noon at Broxted Hill Farm with the inaugural planting of the first oak tree in the first Stop Stansted Expansion Wood, to take place in the meadow opposite the farm directly on the line of the proposed second runway.

Further trees are being offered for sponsorship (at £10 each) and will be planted to create the wood later this year – ask garden owners and at Broxted Hill Farm for more details of putting your name to trees, or contact Stop Stansted Expansion (see below for details).

• 17 Broxted gardens are open for the afternoon, with Strawberry Teas at Broxted Hill Farm – see below for map/details

• The Vanishing Villages fete, with BBQ, teas and beer tent, will take place at Browns End Cottage, Browns End Road, to include stalls run by villagers from the Five Parishes and other local communities and Stop Stansted Expansion members

• Use the shuttle buses to move between gardens, or tour all or part of the five mile circuit on foot. You may prefer to walk cross-country – look out for the footpath signs

Vanishing Villages featuring Broxted Open Gardens is designed to highlight the threat from BAA's plans for airport expansion at Stansted and, above all, the continued determination of those in Broxted as well as those from beyond the immediate area to fight the proposals every step of the way through the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign.

In Broxted and neighbouring Takeley, 77 homes would be bulldozed and 33 would be virtually uninhabitable because of their proximity to an expanded airport with a second runway. 26 of the total 110 homes and properties are Grade II listed buildings.

However, many thousands more people in the Five Parishes and further afield would suffer from the broader impacts of expansion: noise, increased pressure on the road and rail network, demand for schools, hospitals, doctors, land take for airport related development including homes for airport workers – estimated at c50,000 by the Government – and their families which would dramatically change the character of communities within a wide radius.

1. BROXTED HILL FARM

    PARKING

   Official opening at midday (see above). Broxted Hill Farm looks out over spectacular countryside which would vanish under the proposed second runway if expansion were to be allowed. Visit the inaugural oak tree in the Stop Stansted Expansion Wood here and buy your own for planting this winter. Pony rides in the lower field opposite the farm.

   Threatened by the bulldozer. Over a mile to the next garden and best to catch the bus!

2. MALTINGS BRIDGE COTTAGE

   This is an old medieval moated farmworkers cottage with pony stables and pets. Ices and strawberries.

   Use the footpath through to Namaqua and Peacocks...

3. NAMAQUA COTTAGE

   Garden laid to a lawn with borders, with rear featuring a children's fun area.

4. PEACOCKS

   (shuttle bus will stop here for safety reasons, walk back to Namaqua and Bridge Cottage)

   Lovely gardens with beautiful flowerbeds and vegetable patch extraordinaire, overlooking fields with stunning views across to Tilty.

   Carry on for about a mile, down footpath (by Hobbits) to the church...

   BROXTED CHURCH

   

   An exhibition of the history and cultural heritage of the villages of The Five Parishes will be held in Broxted Church, featuring paintings, books and people who have been inspired by the area.

   Through churchyard and turn right past White Hall to the second house on the right...

5. HILL PASTURE

   Garden designed in 1936 by the artist Humphrey Waterfield for the house and studio built by modernist architect Erno Goldfinger. In their heyday during the 1960s, the gardens then fell into disrepair but their restoration has just begun and the beauty of the original plantings is still discernible.

   Return via footpath through church to...

6. THE HOBBITS

   There is so much to see in this garden, and every corner tells a story. Figurines and statuary, beautiful planting, baskets, buckets and beds overflowing with beautiful flowers, water features and ponds, plus a little model village and bric-a-brac stall. Take the opportunity to sit and absorb the horticultural delights which are a feast for the eyes.

   Walk a short distance to reach...

7. THE BRICK HOUSE

   

   The front garden of this lovely grade II listed house built c1752 will be open with a stall offering Stop Stansted Expansion information, details of walks in the Five Parishes, details of trees for the SSE Wood.

   Walk next door...

8. THE OLD VICARAGE

   

   A beautiful Victorian property in a fantastic setting. This is a well visited and much loved garden set in several acres with marvellous plantings, pond, wildflowers and stunning flower beds – a horticultural dream. Photographic exhibition of local life.

   Three quarters of a mile further to...

   PARKING AT BROXTED HALL

   

   Walk towards the Prince of Wales Pub, turning right towards Pledgdon Green for a few hundred yards to...

9. SPICERS

   Young children will enjoy a visit to this garden and its toys.

10. WOODFIELD

    New owners are lovingly tackling the garden with plans to create a rose garden and summer house.

11. OAKMEADS

    Early 17^th century Grade II timber framed thatched cottage. Much attention has been paid to the planting of the garden, with many Broxted householders receiving cuttings. Plant stall.

12. SQUIRRELS

    Formerly known as Pollyanna. A 17^th century Grade II listed timber framed thatched property with stables. Pretty gardens and pond.

    Double back past the pub and round to the right (Browns End Road) to...

    THE HUT

     (disabled access) PARKING FOR MOBILITY VEHICLES / DISABLED TRANSPORT

    Broxted's village hall – a former WW1 army hut, used to protect the area during WW2.

13. CHITLANDS

    The previous owners of this property were part of the local farming community. Areas of the garden have been given over to nature, encouraging butterflies, birds and other wildlife. Book and bric-a-brac stalls.

14. ELGON

    A beautiful wildlife oriented garden with character and natural charm.

    Threatened by the bulldozer

15. PAGES COTTAGE

    Pages was built in 1626 and completely restored between 1991-95. Its tranquil water garden and beautiful plantings make this a lovely, restful garden.

    Threatened by the bulldozer.

16. KNOWLES

    An extremely picturesque late 15^th/early C16^th timber framed Grade II listed property.

    Threatened by the bulldozer.

17. BROWN'S END COTTAGE

     and VANISHING VILLAGES FETE

    Late 16^th/early 17^th century Grade II listed cottage. Once thatched but now featuring a heavier tiled roof.

    Threatened by the bulldozer.

    Hospitality garden features a BBQ, beer tent, games, animal corner including ‘ferret fun’. In the field next to the house are Vanishing Villages stalls organised by local residents and displays representing many of the communities beyond Broxted which are threatened by airport expansion. Includes tombola, cake and bottle stalls, coconut shy, skittles and other fun amusements including ‘Beat The Goalie’. Stop Stansted Expansion membership and information point.

    Then continue for approx one mile to Broxted Hill (see first entry above)...

THE THREAT FROM EXPANSION

PROPOSALS FOR STANSTED: THE WORLD'S LARGEST AIRPORT

Adding an extra runway would lead to:

• A four-fold increase in capacity from 20m passengers a year today to up to 82m by 2030

• Significantly increased freight movements (mostly at night)

• Major building programmes to accommodate 50,000 airport-related workers, warehouses, hotels, offices and roads

• Demolition of scores of homes, heritage and countryside

• Blight from urbanisation and noise for tens of thousands of people across the region

REMEMBER: EXPANSION IS NOT A DONE DEAL

– UNLESS YOU LET IT HAPPEN

Stop Stansted Expansion continues to fight the proposals through the courts, through the planning process and in the City as part of our major community-led campaign. The planning application for full use of the existing runway is expected next spring and the application for a second runway in late 2005, with a decision on the latter expected in 2007 after a public inquiry.

While we believe that ultimately we can and will defeat the proposals which threaten our community, we can only do so with your support. Please join us as a full member for £10 (see form below) with a donation if you can afford it, and/or become an online supporter for email news (free) or volunteer.

Stop Stansted Expansion gratefully acknowledges the support of all those who are opening their gardens today, Broxted Parish Council, the people of the Five Parishes, Uttlesford District Council and all those who have provided materials, food, time and funds to make this Vanishing Villages a success including, in particular: John Smith and Peter Smith (Broxted), Bob Trembath (Little Easton), Essex Larders, Kelvin Kelly (Hunsdon Marble), Country Cuisine (White Roding), Dorringtons Bakers, RH Symons Butchers, Perry's, Tea Tree Tea Rooms (Dunmow),Essex Educated Chickens, Bridgefoot Stables (Great.Easton), Hammond & Hammond Builders, John Hider, Maggie Sutton, Jane Howson, Peter Riding, Andrew Ruffhead, Ed Jones, Ray Woodcock, John Gatt, the parishes of Great Easton, Little Easton, Tilty, Duton Hill, Little Bardfield and Sibley's Green, Alf Wright, and all the SSE members and supporters who are marshalling, manning stalls or who helped prepare.

STOP STANSTED EXPANSION

01279 870558

www.stopstanstedexpansion.com

info@stopstanstedexpansion.com