Charity bluebell walk returns for spring

A bluebell walk which was intended to be a one-off fundraiser in 1972 to help the local school to raise funds for a new swimming pool has returned again over the Easter weekend.

Arlington Bluebell Walk and Farm Trail, based at Bates Green Farm in East Sussex, has been running for over 50 years, raising more than £1.1m for dozens of charities.

Over 20,000 people attend the walk through Beatons Wood every year, organised by farmer John McCutchan and his wife, Carolyn.

She passed away six years ago but John, now aged 89, continues to run the event in her memory.

He said: "This is a really big woodland with not just bluebells in it, but lots of varieties of plants.

"Being English bluebells, I think everyone enjoys them.

"They're only here for a short time because once the leaves of the trees come out the wood becomes darker and the bluebells finish."

McCutchan was recently informed he was the winner of the Steinberg and Times Award for people over 70 who contribute to society.

He will go to Downing Street later in April to receive the award.

He added: "It came out of the blue and, I've heard, from Stuart Higgins who used to be my main helper over the last five years.

"He not only helped me but he came up with ideas and he was the one who proposed me, so I feel it's a lovely legacy of his because sadly he died only a few weeks ago and we miss him dreadfully.

"We've named a building after him where the animals are."

The walks support 26 different charities and people can enjoy them until 10 May.

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