The Bardfield Quakers are transforming the historic meeting house garden into a haven of plants, wildlife, and peace — and you can be part of it!

A Quick History ...

The Meeting House & GardenIn the heart of Great Bardfield, the Quaker Meeting House stands as a rare surviving timber-framed Georgian building, built in 1806 in the garden of a medieval dwelling known as Buck's House. For more than two centuries it has remained true to its founding purpose and is still hosting Quaker worship every Sunday and providing a space rooted in simplicity, reflection, and community.

Over the years, its doors have welcomed many significant local figures, most notably Edward Bawden (1903-1989), celebrated member of the Great Bardfield Artists. Bawden's whimsical watercolours, linocuts, posters, and murals brought national attention to the village, and his regular presence at the Meeting House enriched both the Quaker community and the area's artistic heritage.

Alongside its historic interior - with original pine benches, a dais for elders, and a sliding timber partition - the Meeting House is accompanied by a large walled garden, a peaceful space containing graves dating from 1806 onwards.

Although lovingly cared for by the current Quakers, the garden now needs revitalising and funding to restore its beauty, enhance its planting, and ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

What we want to dopotted_plant

We Bardfield Quakers are excited to share our plans to breathe new life into the garden of this much-loved historic space. We want to create a "community" garden for everyone to enjoy!

Our vision for the garden includes:

• Planting new fruit trees along the back wall, offering spring blossom, summer shade, and autumn harvests
• Filling the borders with colourful, pollinator-friendly flowers to welcome bees, butterflies, and birds
• Creating peaceful seating areas for quiet reflection, reading, and friendly conversation

The development of a garden is never truly finished as it changes each year, so we are not setting a particular completion date. But we hope to open it to everyone next year so visitors can see it developing through the seasons.

Paul holding his paintingHow are we going to fund this?savings

To help make this vision a reality, we're launching a Silent Auction. We're especially thrilled that we have been generously donated a beautiful painting of "woodland bluebells" (which would normally sell for £1,350) from acclaimed East Anglian landscape painter Paul Evans.

Paul Evans is celebrated for his exquisite portrayals of nature and the English countryside. Paul's gallery in Lavenham displays his many atmospheric studies of landscapes and wildlife, and his paintings are sought after by collectors across the country. To see more of Paul Evans work visit his website at paulevans-artist.co.uk.

How you can helpvolunteer_activism

Join our Silent Auction (just click the button below) and bid for a stunning original painting by acclaimed East Anglian artist Paul Evans. All proceeds will help plant fruit trees, add seating, and fill the garden with pollinator-friendly flowers.

Let's grow something beautiful together!

 

Other ways to support us

If you would like to support the project but prefer not to bid for the painting, we also have a page. As with the auction, all donations will go to the Great Bardfield Meeting House Garden Project.

Alternatively, if you were able to help in any of the following ways, please get in touch:

local_floristAny plants or cuttings you might be able to offer

agricultureThe use of machinery such as a rotivator or strimmer if you are able to lend it to us temporarily

palletAny unwanted wooden pallets you might have lying around, which we can use to build the compost heap structure

oil_barrelAny unused (watertight) bins or water butts - saving rainwater is ever more important for gardens these days