Bulb planting at Beechwood Park
Posted on Tuesday 29th November 2016
Cllr Deb Harvey, far left, and Cllr Ray Truman with volunteers and park staff along with Beechwood Ward Councillor Mark Spencer, (third from right holding bulb planter) who helped with the planting
Volunteers and staff at Beechwood Park in Newport have been busy planting crocus bulbs on grass verges at the side of the main path.
More than 10,000 bulbs were generously donated to Newport City Council by the Rotary Club of Newport Uskmouth to enhance public spaces, parks and school grounds.
The gift from Rotary, backed by Rotary International, came about after the organisation joined forces with the Royal Horticultural Society to plant the purple crocus - a symbol of Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio – in as many places as possible across the UK.
Earlier this year pupils at Ringland Primary helped plant several hundred bulbs outside their school.
And thanks to the hard work of Beechwood Park volunteers, visitors will be able to enjoy the display in Spring 2017.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport Councillor Ray Truman, and Councillor Deb Harvey, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, went along to the park to thank staff and volunteers for their hard work.
“We really appreciate everything you are doing to enhance Beechwood Park, which is one of the jewels in Newport’s crown.
“And thanks to the city’s Rotary Club for such a generous donation which will see purple flowers add a splash of colour across the city next Spring,” said Cllr Truman.
For over 30 years, Rotary and its members have been committed to fighting to eradicate polio across the world and launched its Purple4 Polio project. Its colour represents the purple dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised.
The amount of polio-endemic countries has dropped from 125 to just two, with over 2.5 billion children receiving vaccinations thanks to the help of Rotary.
With eradication now closer than ever, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland’s latest campaign, Purple4Polio, is designed to unite communities to engage in activities as part of the final push to eradicate polio for good.