Banbury cemeteries promise dazzling spring display after crocus bulb planting

The volunteer bulb planting is part of a Polio Awareness campaign and organised by Banbury Rotary Club and it is set to please visitors to the Hardwick Hill and Southam Road cemeteries as the borders burst into blankets of purple early next year.

The colourful display is now an annual springtime event thanks to the dedication of Rotary Club members who worked with Banbury Town Council to bring the project to fruition.

The crocuses highlight Banbury’s ongoing support for the global health campaign that has helped to see the polio virus successfully wiped from all but two countries across the world. World Polio Day took place on Saturday, October 24.

Banbury Rotary Club President Mark Hughes said, “Banbury Rotary Club is proud to deliver this project each and every year. It’s thanks to our incredible volunteers that, come the spring, the cemeteries are transformed into a blanket of purple.

"Banbury Rotary Club joins other clubs across the country this autumn in planting crocus bulbs parks, cemeteries and other sites ready for March, continuing a project that continues to highlight polio awareness across the country and beyond. Banbury Rotary Club is indebted to Banbury Town Council for all their help and support with this project.”

Those participating in the campaign strive to ensure that the disease never returns to countries that have become polio-free. Polio (poliomyelitis) is the name given to a highly infectious viral disease that caused major epidemics around the world, particularly during the first half of the 20th century. It killed many people and many survivors were left with lifelong disabilities before effective vaccination finally became available.

The crocuses have been specially selected, as the purple of the petals symbolises the colour of the dye used in developing countries to mark the fingers of those who have been vaccinated – and it has been adopted as the colour of the ongoing campaign.

Cllr Shaida Hussain, Chair of Banbury Town Council, said “We’re excited to see that Banbury’s two main cemeteries have received thousands of crocus bulbs. Every March we enjoy some wonderful feedback from the town residents who visit the sites and see that the bulbs have sprouted into beautiful purple flowers, a vibrant and poignant reminder of the continued global effort to eradicate polio.

“We can’t wait to see how these plants will look in the springtime and what’s more it publicises a very important issue. My thanks and congratulations on behalf of Banbury Town Council to all who took part in this project.”

Rotary clubs across the country get involved in the ‘Purple for Polio’ campaign, which has been running since 1979. Banbury Rotary Club has been an active member of the scheme since 1987, meaning these particular flowers will bloom during the 40th anniversary year of their involvement with the movement.

Banbury Town Council encourages all Banbury residents to consult the council website at www.banbury.gov.uk or email at [email protected] for the latest news and information – including event and councillor updates. Anyone wishing to call Banbury Town Council can do so on 01295 250340.