Pensioners’ Playground is a ‘Dream Come True’

The Guardian

August 14, 2008

United Kingdom

A Giant chess board is among the attractions in the Gardens of Hanbury

One man’s dream of building a community leisure park in the midst of Epping Forest has become a reality after nearly 40 years of hard work. 

When Donald Miller first bought the Gardens of Hanbury, in Pynest Green Lane, High Beech, in 1970, it was a walled Victorian garden used to grow produce. 

Over the passing decades Mr Miller and his team of retired journeymen, stonemasons and bricklayers have set about transforming the site into its current form as a leisure park for retired people. 

New buildings built with 18th and 19th century materials have been constructed and areas to play croquet, petanque and giant chess have all been set up. 

A picnic area for barbecues has been created, and clock golf is also available. 
Mr Miller said: “As they say in Hollywood ‘you’ve got to have a dream to make a dream come true.’

“I personally find, from time to time, how good life is to me. I was working when I was 14 years of age as just factory fodder and I never ever worked in the building trade, but what you see here is a visual delight. 

“The Gardens of Hanbury is an old term they used to use in the 18th and 19th century where the gentry used to open up their grounds for travelling minstrels and actors because there were no other facilities for people to enjoy. 

“I found I enjoyed it so much here I would like other people to come and enjoy it as well. It really is so pleasant – you can listen to the quiet.” 

An active man himself despite his advanced years, Mr Miller was keen to create an area where retired people could enjoy themselves. 

He said: “Retirement really is a splendid illusion. You need to be doing something. If you sit in a chair too long, you go to move and you can’t. Energy gives energy. You need to get up and do things.” 

He added: “I’m certainly a man with a vision, and that is that I’d like other people to come here and make use of these facilities. It’s completely without charge. 

“If there is anyone who would like to come along and enjoy the facilities, we would be so happy to see them.” 

The Gardens of Hanbury are open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. 

For more details, call 020 8508 5111. 

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