NEWS | Dog walking field named in honour of woman who died after battle with cancer

After a year of researching, planning and sheer hard work, Hereford’s first field to book exclusively to exercise your dog safely and securely is set to open on Saturday 6^thNovember.

The field is a long held dream of local businesswoman SaraJane Sarzo of Mobile Care & Clean and her husband, Andrew. They have dedicated the field in name to one of their best friends, Marilyn, who sadly lost her battle with cancer on Christmas Day 2020. Sara says, “She was a truly gorgeous person, selfless and always happy, her passing was a great loss to our family and we wanted to do something to remember her. She had loved dogs all her life and had a special bond with our two Jack Russell’s during her fight with cancer, so this seemed the right thing to do”.

Marilyn’s Meadow is a five-acre secure field that is quiet and undisturbed and gives dog owners the opportunity to book their own exclusive slot to exercise their dogs. It’s perfect for nervous dogs or those needing to work on their recall and Sara and Andy have worked hard with a local fencing company M J Evans, to ensure it is secure. Located at Coldwells Road next to the Secret Garden Pub, it has it’s own car park with a waiting area and spaces. Access is via a gate that you are given an access code to ahead of your booked time period. 

Sara goes on to say “We have six dogs and have been fostering and rescuing dogs for many years now. Many of the dogs who have come to us have been abandoned or mistreated and were so nervous that taking them out for a walk was really challenging. We would often travel miles to secure fields in other areas and this is when we started to dream of having something in Hereford” 

You can tell talking to them how passionate they both are about this project and the many dogs they have cared for over the years. Hours have been spent on the little things that they hope will make all the difference to those who visit, including a tunnel for play and Marilyn’s Meadows Refreshment Shelter (pictured). The shelter has been created from an old horse trailer box that Sara came across and has transformed with the help of local artists Gareth Evans (@eurwynboat.art) and Moira B Grafen-Campbell (@moibug.art) to provide a place to take shelter and enjoy a hot drink. Sara adds, “ You need to bring your own flask though!”

Sara and Andy are grateful for the support they have received from local people and their family and friends, with particular thanks to Dave Duggan who has worked tirelessly on all the ground works and is the resident grass mower! Going forward they hope visitors will enjoy picnics and small get togethers and that a Marilyn’s Meadow community will develop and flourish. Sara finishes “We really hope everyone enjoys what we have created, for us this is just the start of the adventure, so as they say, watch this space!”

Enquiries or to book can be done via the Marilyn’s meadow Facebook Page or visit their website www.marilynsmeadow.co.uk