About Shaftesbury Snowdrops
Shaftesbury is a rapidly growing town in the heart of the most beautiful Wessex countryside.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee
As a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the people of Shaftesbury decided to create a series of accessible snowdrop walks for all to enjoy. The legacy was created by planting hundreds of thousands of snowdrops within the publicly open green spaces and along the pathways throughout the town.
Heritage Collection
We learned a lot about snowdrops when the project first started. With the help of Emma Thick we began our Heritage Collection of rare snowdrops, many of which were generously donated by visiting specialists.
The collection has been moved to the care of the Springhead Trust at Fontmell Magna, where they continue to nurture them for the future.
See also Heritage Collection
Study, Sale and Social Day
Inspired by snowdrop specialist Joe Sharman, we launched our Study, Sale and Social day in 2014. Every year we celebrate our Snowdrop Season with a very special day devoted to snowdrops. Galanthophiles from around the world (we have had visitors from as far and wide as Japan and the United States) gather together in Shaftesbury to hear talks from snowdrop experts followed by a snowdrop sale in our Town Hall.
See also Events
How the planting started
In early 2012, inspired by the snowdrop idea, Mayor Tim Cook celebrated his Civic Day by inviting dignitaries from around the county to plant the first bulbs in the grounds of the Trinity Centre, a deconsecrated church and the landmark tower you see in our logo.
Phase two then followed, with annual public plantings taking place to create an expanding series of walks to enhance this renowned scenic town. We have, to date, planted over 200,000 snowdrops and intend to continue the programme of planting.
See also Get Involved
Royal seal of approval
In 2015, on a lovely Autumn afternoon in Shaftesbury, we were delighted to introduce Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, to our Shaftesbury Snowdrops Diamond Jubilee Community Legacy project. The Countess graciously agreed to sign the record book, signed by all who have participated in the project, and then she planted a commemorative lime tree, with snowdrops surrounding it, in the grounds of the Trinity Trust.
Several years on …
The snowdrop bulbs we plant mostly come up where we expect them to and, delightfully, sometimes where we were not expecting them!
The visual, spiritual and environmental benefits are here for everyone to enjoy.
