Farleigh Hospice 40th anniversary fete and cycling event

Farleigh Hospice is celebrating decades of providing care to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement in mid Essex.

The hospice is hosting a free birthday garden fete with live music, food, refreshments, a bar, stalls, petting zoo, face painting and garden games for families to get involved in.

Everyone is invited to attend the event to celebrate the hospice.

Farleigh Hospice’s first employee, Christine Hogben, said: “Our fetes were always popular.

“As well as the usual raffle, cake stall and refreshments, we would have the inevitable coconut shy and a pillow fight with two competitors sat aside a greasy pole trying to knock each other off on to mattresses.

“I always have fond memories of my days working at Farleigh, particularly the early days, helping to create the amazing organisation it is today.”

Hospice commercial director Pauline Harvey-Jones said: “Inviting the local community to attend our garden fetes at Farleigh has long been a tradition for the hospice so it felt only right to hold a special garden fete for our supporters and friends to mark our 40th birthday and to celebrate how far we have come - which is all thanks to their support throughout the years.

“It promises to be a great day and we are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy this special occasion with us.”

The Cycle for Life event is also being held, with cyclists from the area set to take part in the sponsored ride.

READ MORE>>> The Queen 'under medical supervision' as Royal Family head to Balmoral

The event was first launched in 1995 and attracts hundreds of cyclists of all ages and abilities every year.

This year there will be 20, 50 and 100km routes, starting and finishing at the hospice.

The garden fete is on Saturday, September 17 from 12noon to 4pm and the Cycle for Life is on Sunday, September 18.

The events will take place in the gardens of the hospice building at North Court Road, Chelmsford CM1 7FH.