Essex Wildlife Trust has been left Bottengoms, Wormingford. This was formerly the home of John Nash, gardener and painter, and latterly Ronald Blyth, author.

Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Blythe is regarded as one of the founders of contemporary nature writing. His elegiac portrait of vanishing life in the countryside in his most famous book ‘Akenfield’ made him known and read across the world.

Through his lifetime, he wrote over 80 books and is considered an icon amongst many of the leading international naturalists and nature writers today.

Ronnie died in 2023 at the age of 100, leaving his enchanting home, Bottengoms, to Essex Wildlife Trust. 

The site is 2 acres and damp due to springs. It has a very pleasant jungle feel – is quite overgrown and will require conservation and gardening support. There are some rare and interesting plants and trees.

The Essex Wildlife Trust is looking for volunteers to help with the site. Conservation volunteers will meet on alternate Fridays and the Gardeners every Tuesday. Essex Wildlife Trust is looking for a total of 10 volunteers per session and currently have five for Conservation.

More details here – https://essexwt.teamkinetic.co.uk/volunteers/opportunity/10241257.

If interested please contact Jonathon Zerr on jonathanz@essexwt.org.uk or 07519 119701.