Thousands of crocus bulbs planted to mark success of polio eradication project

Members of Bradley Stoke Rotary Club have planted 2,000 tiny crocus bulbs in a roadside verge with the aim of creating an annual floral display to celebrate the success of a worldwide programme to eradicate polio.

Photo showing members of Bradley Stoke Rotary Club plant crocus bulbs.
Members of Bradley Stoke Rotary Club plant crocus bulbs to create a floral display in the shape of wheel.

Located in the embankment on the south side of Bailey Court Road, opposite the junction with Sherbourne Avenue, the display should burst into flower this spring.

The project was many months in the making and involved discussions, research, detailed planning, purchasing and, finally, planting out the bulbs in the shape of the Rotary wheel with the name ‘Bradley Stoke Rotary Club’ around It.

View of the planting site looking towards Baileys Court Roundabout.
View of the planting site looking towards Baileys Court Roundabout.

Rotary has been working hard worldwide to eradicate the life-threatening and disabling polio virus, working in many different countries with great success. To mark this work, Rotary decided to use the purple crocus as an emblem.

Local Rotary member Karen Holley explained:

“We were given permission from South Gloucestershire Council to plant the crocus bulbs and create our wheel.”

“Special thanks must go to Sara Messenger of Bradley Stoke in Bloom for her initial help with the project.”

“The morning of Saturday 5th December 2020 saw us meeting up (socially distanced of course) for the first time in many months, armed with dibbers and spades and measuring sticks, and our 2,000 crocus bulbs.”

Design of the Bradley Stoke Rotary Club crocus wheel display.
Design of the Bradley Stoke Rotary Club crocus wheel display.

“It was great to meet the other members, having only met on Zoom since March.”

“The Rotary Wheel was soon planted up with mostly purple but a few gold crocus too.”

“We hope you will be able to watch the crocus growing in the early new year on the grass verge of Bailys Court Road. It was such a pleasure to be out again with the members of the Bradley Stoke Rotary Club and do something nice for the community at last.”

Logo of Rotary International.

If you would like to know more about the local Rotary club’s activities and projects, visit their website or Facebook page.

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