Spring is in the air at Welford

Members of the public are able to wander along the famous snowdrop walk at Welford Park from today (Wednesday)

A BREATH of Spring has arrived as Welford Park opened its doors to the public today (Wednesday), allowing people to wander along the famous snowdrop walk.

Well known for its magnificent displays of snowdrops, Welford Park traditionally opens during February, to raise funds for charity, although this year visitors will not be told which species are the most rare because of growing concern that they are being stolen to be auctioned off on internet sites.

Pointing out the pretty white flowers were “not a commodity,” park owner, Deborah Puxley, said that collectors, including herself, generally gave rarer varieties of the flowers to one another rather than purchase them.

Mrs Puxley said: “I don't want people coming and taking valuable bulbs to sell on eBay,” adding that one such bulb had sold for over £200 on the internet.

This year, funds raised from the park's openings will go towards St Gregory's Church, Welford, the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, Thames Valley Lupus Group, West Berkshire Autistic Society and West Berkshire Dingley Family Centre.

The park will be open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm, until Sunday, March 6. Entry for adults costs £5 (concessions £4), children under 16 can enter free-of-charge. For more information click on the link below.