Planting for Polio
Each year purple crocuses are planted in various parts of King's Lynn as a reminder of Rotary's commitment to eradicating Polio worldwide.
Purple for Polio
Each year for the past 11 years members of the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn have planted some 4000 purple crocus bulbs in various parts of the town: along the main path in The Walks; at the South Gates roundabout; on the NORA roundabouts and along the main road; outside the nursery school at St James Park; along Boal Quay; on the verge outside the Hardwick Cemetery; and on Edward Benefer Way opposite the Fire Station. This year planting again took place in The Walks and the Rotarians were assisted by children from Greyfriars Academy.
Gary Walker, Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Walks, said that the bulbs would provide a colourful back drop in the spring, as well as adding to biodiversity and attracting insects and butterflies. He also said the children also enjoyed the opportunity to gain some understanding of the best way to plant bulbs and learned about the benefit flowers provide to insects and wildlife.
Janet Moyle, Deputy Head at Greyfriars, said that the children were really excited to be able to help with the planting and were looking forward to the warmer spring time days when the flowers would be in bloom.
The bulbs are planted to draw attention to Rotary International’s support for the world-wide eradication of polio which has been a major aim of the organisation since 1985. Over the years Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ensure the immunisation of more than 3 billion children in 122 countries. Every child who is immunised has his or her finger dipped in purple dye. Until recently polio had been eradicated in all countries except Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, the war in Gaza has seen new outbreaks of polio in that part of the Middle East. The need to immunise children is a great as ever.
Photo by Gary Walker
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