Thousands of purple crocuses planted across Rochdale

Date published: 17 January 2022

Thousands of purple crocuses have been planted around Rochdale as a joint initiative between Rochdale in Bloom, Norden in Bloom and the Rotary Club of Rochdale.

Volunteers planted seven thousand crocus corms along the verges of Roch Valley Way, the Norden Rockery and Taylor Park on Saturday morning (15 January).

Norden in Bloom chairman Paul Ellison said: “Spring each year sees a beautiful purple carpet of crocus blooming in many communities across Great Britain and Ireland thanks to the purple crocus planting to raise awareness of the Rotary clubs’ fight for a polio-free world.

“We also had The Duke of Edinburgh's Award students, volunteering for their bronze award this year. Many thanks to Harry, Freddy and Johty for doing a great job.

“Also special thanks to Frank Key Tool Hire Rochdale for the loan of the turf cutter, which made the job a lot easier.”

The purple crocus has become a symbol of Rotary’s fight to end polio, as the colour purple represents the colour of the dye placed on a child’s finger to show they have been immunised against the disease.

Keeping track of those that have been vaccinated in some of the remote villages of India, Pakistan and other countries is very difficult and this marking of the finger was seen to be the easiest and best way to keep track.

The crocus is one of the first spring flowers to bloom, and should begin flowering by the end of February. Existing crocus corms planted in previous years will flower first.