February
Snowdrop Parade
Again this year Shaftesbury hosted the Snowdrop Festival with a range of Lectures (not just on snowdrops), a Study day, Walks, a Snowdrop Sale with growers travelling from as far afield as Cambridgeshire to sell their plants, Open Gardens, Photography, a History Walk, Film, Flower arranging, Music, Poetry, Story Telling, Market Day, Tower tours, Caterpillar Munching, Happy Hour and Snowdrop Teas at The Grosvenor. BV Dairy were again the main Sponsor of the Festival.
There seems no end to the ever varied activities put on by the tireless efforts of the volunteer organisers who started this project for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. Now in its third year, Shaftesbury Snowdrops has grown to become an international event with visiting coach parties from Germany and Holland as well as Galanthophiles from all corners of the British Isles. With over 160,000 Snowdrops now planted and the Heritage Collection of rare and unusual varieties developing with the aid of sponsors and donors, the event grows from strength to strength and the economic impact at this traditionally quiet time is tangible.
The festival began with the opening of the Snowdrops in Art exhibition at the Arts Centre and culminated with the Giant Snowdrop Lantern Making workshops at the Trinity Centre followed by an illuminated parade via Castle Hill House, The Hospital and the Jubilee steps to the Park. There, crowds were treated to the narration of the “Legend of the Shaftesbury Dragon” with visual and sound effects to match. Folk music and dancing alongside the burning brazier. The parade was led by Shaftesbury’s Mayor and escorted by the Dorset Marshalls and Shaftesbury Rotarians. Thank you to President Mike, Peter, Steve and Bernard for their involvement.
Bookmark the website to follow events for 2016 – http://www.shaftesburysnowdrops.org
Other Activities
4th Feb – President Mike supported several Rotarians who attended the opening ceremony of the new buildings at Shaftesbury Academy Trust. Mark Blackman (Head of School) is a Rotary Corporate Member and Rotarian Win Harvey was there in her official capacity as Mayor of Shaftesbury.
On Monday 23rd Feb the club welcomed another major business member, when president Mike presented the corporate certificate and Rotary pin to Simon Morgan, Director of the Wessex Group based on Longmead, Shaftesbury.
The speaker this month was Andy Nelson who was Martin’s guest. He spoke about his sailing exploits with his wife and his ambition to travel worldwide and all of the detailed planning and research required, a most enjoyable presentation until somebody suggested they take Martin with him!
16th – Business Meeting – The following comments were made at this month’s business meeting
- New format of all committee members sitting at the same table
- Reports given with key points
- Mystery coach tour for the elderly agreed for 24th March
- Presidents night – 16th may at Holbrook house, Wincanton
The winners of the Monthly Foundation One Hundred Club were Millie Moore, Steve Parsons, ? Moore. The winner of the monthly wine prize was Steve Parsons.
