News – Hotel Opens in East Farndon
Click on the photo or the link below to read the article about 10-year-old Louis Jeanneret and his 5-year-old brother Leo (ably assisted by Paul Hodgetts) who have constructed the East Farndon Bug Hotel on Marriott Green
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Story of the East Farndon Amenity Land now Marriott Green
In earlier times there was a thatched cottage on the site of the current Marriott Green which is the area in the front, right hand side of the Church of St. John the Baptist, just off the green with the large Beech tree, at the top of Main Street.
The cottage fell into disrepair and was demolished early in the 20th century. The land remained unused and overgrown and became an eyesore. A local person used the land to house their beehives and eventually they obtained title to the land. In the course of time, the deeds to the land were lost and in 2010 it was decided to purchase the land for the sum of £20,000 in order to clear it and maintain it for Village use.
A Village appeal was launched and the costs of the land purchase were quickly covered, with money left over for fencing, gates etc. Local farmers gave a great deal of valuable help to level and seed the land. A team of volunteers, armed with chainsaws, spades and forks, worked hard to turn the land into the pretty space that you see today.
Marriott Green is set up as a trust, with the current Vicar and two Villagers acting as trustees. The purpose of the trust is to keep the land for Villagers to use for fetes, barbecues and general recreational use, as well as additional car parking for the Church, when the ground is sufficiently dry.
Today Marriott Green is maintained by a keen group of Village volunteers and everyone is welcome to enjoy the space. The trust has a few running costs, third party insurance, mowing, gardening etc. Fund raising is carried out whenever possible, but the trust would really appreciate any help that people can offer and donations are very welcome.
If you have any questions, can help, or would like to make a donation, then please email David Thake via the Contact Us page on this website.