Bampton's Snowdrop Project
This project was started in February 2010 - this is a record of how it developed.
The plan, proposed by Bampton Area Community Organisation Network (BACON), is to introduce a large number of snowdrops to naturalise in the churchyard of St Michael's and All Angels in Bampton. This is a big space, and the snowdrops will be clustered in specific areas to give a lovely show as we move from winter into spring - a show to be enjoyed by all and hopefully for generations to come.
The Rector and PCC have given their enthusiastic support to the idea. We foresee no problems in keeping the churchyard mown and strimmed in the summer because the snowdrops will be all over by April.
Funding for this project has come from sources each providing £70 for 1000 bulbs:
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BACON - from money raised by web-site advertising
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Bampton Plants & Gardens Society
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Bampton Signpost parish magazine
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Bampton Town Council - from Fair tolls
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Bampton Society
We are extremely grateful for this support and the very positive comments we have received. We are hoping for practical support when it comes to planting the snowdrops in February/early March!
February 2010: There are some small clusters of snowdrops in a few spots of the churchyard - but we plan to add many more which people can enjoy as they walk along the churchyard paths...
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4000 Snowdrops planted - March 6th 2010
It was a terrific turn-out of volunteers to come an help plant snowdrops in the churchyard - it only took about an hour for all the 4000 bulbs 'in the green' to be planted which was incredible. Thanks too to Daphne who provided sustenance for the workers!
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We hope to plant another batch next year...
February 2011: Last year's snowdrops appear!
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The pictures above were taken along the north side of the churchyard.
March 12th 2011
A nice sunny spring morning, and 25 volunteers appeared from every direction with spades and trowels to plant another 4000 snowdrops in the churchyard. This time, the main area planted was on the north west side of the churchyard, near the old schoolroom.
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It was amazing - all 4000 bulbs were planted in 45 minutes! And thanks for the excellent refreshments then provided for the enthusiastic workers. It was great to see our new Rector Lynne and her grandson planting bulbs not far from the Vicarage. We hope that ever one enjoys the snowdrops for many years to come as they bulk up into clumps. More planting next year...
Another 4000 Snowdrops 2012
A good team of volunteers of all ages came to help with the planting on 25th February.
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February 2013
No additional snowdrops were planted this year because we want to see how they are coping with the temperamental weather. But we are delighted that this year at the start of February the area around the church is spotted with lots of bright white points of light, really cheering as spring seems that bit closer. Although the success rate of the bulbs planted was not high, our policy of planting thinly will pay off - over the years ahead each bulb will form a clump and gradually we should get more and more of these lovely little flowers.
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February 2019
The snowdrops are now really beginning to clump up and be quite a spectacle. So much depends upon the season and on the lack of grass-cutting at cruicial times!
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