Welwyn Garden City Rotary Joins District 1260 for World Polio Day Crocus Planting at Wrest Park

On Saturday, 24th October 2026, Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club was proud to take part in a major District 1260 initiative to mark World Polio Day. Our President-Elect and District Membership Lead, Amanda Joseph, joined fellow Rotarians, local community members, and youth organisations at the stunning Wrest Park in Bedfordshire for a grand-scale crocus planting event.

Despite a gloomy weather forecast, the rain held off as volunteers gathered to plant thousands of purple crocus corms across the estate grounds.

A True Community Endeavour

The event was organised with military precision, thanks to the invaluable support of Head Gardener Andrew Luke and the English Heritage team. Supported by three staff members and seven dedicated volunteers, English Heritage prepared the ground, supplied equipment, and marked out designated grid squares to allow planting in structured blocks of 100 corms at a time. We extend our warmest thanks to English Heritage for bringing this vision to life, and we look forward to future collaborations.

We would also like to acknowledge the key individuals and groups who made the day a resounding success:

• Jim Ellis-Jones (Barton-le-Clay Rotary Club) for conceiving the original initiative.

• Bob Harris (Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary Club) for handcrafting bespoke wooden dibbers for the planting teams.

• David Footit (Rotary Club of Dunstable) and the District 1260 Public Image Team for running the welcome desk and engaging so warmly with visiting members of the public.

• Sheran Ridley (Luton Someries Rotary Club) and Girlguiding Bedfordshire, whose Rainbows, Brownies, Girl Guides, and parents turned out in force to dig in.

• Visiting Delegation from District 3060 (Gujarat, India), who joined us in a wonderful display of international Rotary fellowship.

Rotary clubs from across the district were well represented, including Ampthill, Barton-le-Clay, Luton Someries, Dunstable, Baldock, Hitchin Tilehouse, Brookmans Park Hertswood, St Albans Verulamium, and Hemel Hempstead.

Why Purple Crocuses?

The purple crocus is the global symbol of Rotary’s Purple4Polio campaign. It represents the purple ink painted on a child’s little finger to indicate that they have received their life-saving oral polio vaccine.

Since Rotary launched its global eradication campaign in 1988, wild poliovirus cases have dropped by over 99.9%. However, continuous disease surveillance, monitoring, and vaccination efforts remain essential until the disease is completely eradicated worldwide.

Looking Ahead to Spring

We look forward to returning to Wrest Park in February 2027, when the crocuses will be in full bloom, creating a lasting, vibrant display in support of a polio-free world.

To learn more about local Rotary initiatives or to get involved with Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club, please explore our website follow us on our facebook page or contact us directly.