Focus on crocus record

Record-breakers? From the left, Bob Godfrey, Barry Lees and president Lawrence Perrins prepare to break the world bulb-planting record

Helpers needed for attempt on world title
SADDLEWORTH Rotary Club is bidding to become record-breakers — but it needs a helping hand.

Rotarians are crying out for as many locals as possible to make their way to the White Hart, Lydgate, tomorrow to help smash the world record for the greatest number of flower bulbs planted simultaneously. It starts at 11am.

With over 2,000 crocus bulbs ready and waiting, organisers are aiming for more than 360 people to turn up and do their bit for a chance to appear in the Guinness Book of Records.

The event is part of the Focus on the Crocus scheme run by Rotary clubs across the country.

The delicate purple spring flowers have been chosen to represent the shade of ink dabbed on children's fingers world-wide when they have been immunised against polio — a campaign supported by Rotary International.

Club president Lawrence Perrins said: “The plan is that there will be a beautiful blanket of purple flowering for Rotary Day on February 23 next year.

“We’re really excited at the attempt — it’s a real community event and we need the people power.

“Absolutely everyone, young and old, can get involved, try and break a record and raise awareness about the attempt to completely eradicate polio.”

The current record is held by Smithton Primary School, Inverness, which achieved 331 people in 2008. Strict rules mean that each participant must plant at least five bulbs, an adjudicator must be present and the planting can last no longer than an hour.

Community group Love Lydgate has been drafted in to lend a hand along with children from local primary schools.

Saddleworth Rotary has also donated a further 10,000 bulbs to nine local primary schools.

Clubs from across the country will also be attempting the challenge on the same day.