Pupils plant flowers to mark Rotary polio efforts

CHILDREN from Critchill School, alongside Frome Rotary Club and a town ranger, planted 5,000 bulbs in the town centre recently.

The purple crocus bulbs were planted as part of the ‘Purple for Polio’ campaign to recognise the Rotary’s efforts to eradicate the disease around the world.

Frome Rotary’s Margaret Gilmour said, “The 5,000 bulbs are in the ground now so it is up to mother nature! We planted them with the help of Critchill School and town ranger Mark Branson.

“North Parade and River Walk were the sites chosen and in the spring we should all see a purple carpet which will remind us about Rotary and its aim to eradicate Polio from our planet.

“Sadly, there is a whole generation now that has little or no idea how terrible the disease is. As they say now, ‘Google it’ to see how bad it was here and still is in some countries.

“Thankfully the campaign has nearly done a great job. In conjunction with Bill Gates, Rotary has been plugging away all over the world with volunteer help and government involvement where needed for the past 30 years or so.

“The Rotary Club of Frome would like to thank Frome Town Council and Critchill School for their help in planting the bulbs and would ask everyone to watch out in the spring and remember our ‘Purple for Polio’ campaign.”