The Rotary Club of Bracknell and Bracknell in Bloom, along with help from Bracknell schools and local volunteers, planted the crocuses

The Rotary Club of Bracknell and Bracknell in Bloom, along with help from Bracknell schools and local volunteers, planted the crocuses at five different sites managed by Bracknell Town Council last week.

The crocuses were planted to raise awareness of Rotary International’s Purple4Polio nationwide initiative to rid the world of polio. Purple crocuses were planted to represent the purple dye placed on the little finger of a child on mass immunisation days.

Nigel Boshier, president of The Rotary Club of Bracknell said: “Bracknell Rotary Club is delighted to have worked in partnership with Bracknell in Bloom planting these Purple4Polio crocuses.”

“As a club, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that polio is eradicated for good. Thanks to the help of Rotary, over 2.5 billion children have received polio vaccinations. With fewer cases being reported we believe we can end this deadly disease forever.”

All the corms were planted in public spaces at five sites managed by Bracknell Town Council. Next spring, when the crocuses flower, they will symbolise the ‘splash of hope’ given to children who get the polio vaccination.

Birch Hill Pre-School, Garth Under Fives Nursery, Harmans Water Primary School, Wildridings Primary School, Wooden Hill School, Bracknell Town Council’s Mayor, Mayoress and councillors and volunteers from construction company Mace, Bracknell Forest Homes and The Bracknell Forest Society helped plant the crocuses.

Allan Moffat, chairman of Bracknell in Bloom and Bracknell Town Council’s recreational facilities manager said: “Thank you to everyone that came along to help at the crocus plantings.”

“As part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom initiative, Bracknell in Bloom works hard to brighten up the local community with flowers. These crocuses will help to do this, as well as reminding everyone of the work Rotary is