Crocus Ribbon for Henfield
At the last Henfield Parish Council Recreation & Open Spaces Committee Meeting it was decided to support the idea of planting more flowers and trees in public spaces around the village. The planting would enhance the village as well as commemorate the upcoming Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year. We have also had several requests from residents to plant trees as a focus of thanksgiving for the community and memorial to those lost in relation to the Pandemic.
Our plan is to plant a Henfield Platinum Jubilee ‘Crocus Ribbon’ through the village. There are a number of verges and other grassy green spaces which might be improved with the addition of a swathe of crocus bulbs, (please see the photograph attached of the Mauve Crocus River in Haywards Heath). The exact locations and designs can be developed but we felt that a theme of mainly white crocuses (nearest to platinum ) with purple crocuses ( for the regal connection) could be a lasting legacy of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for the whole village and would also welcome visitors. It would also help us increase our Parish aim to support nature recovery as it would provide much needed nectar for bees early in the year.
The bulbs would need to be planted this Autumn to bloom from spring 2022. The Parish Council has a budget for some bulbs to start the project off, which we will be planting a ‘ribbon’ along the right hand side verge, going north from the Furners Lane junction. Volunteers from the Conservation Group and SH2030 have offered to help us with this. We are also hoping that a number of Henfield Clubs, Community Groups, local Businesses, Street Neighbourhood Groups or Residents’ Associations might like to contribute to this village wide planting by doing the same on agreed verges or community spaces. Crocuses are likely to cost around £10 for 50 bulbs. We hope to get them flowering at the same time (Feb-March) so the early flowering species bulbs are advised
We are also planning to promote the planting of a number of large native trees in the village this autumn, partly in response to residents' requests but also to increase Henfield's contribution to the nationwide drive to plant more trees. You may already be aware of the campaign to plant a Queen’s Canopy by the Prince of Wales https://queensgreencanopy.org/. Parish and Town Councils and individuals are being encouraged to plant trees for next year. We have already applied for some native tree saplings for Parish Council land from the Woodland Trust. In addition we have sought advice on the best approach for individuals, businesses and community groups who would like to plant a tree in a public place. We wanted to make sure that our shared approach considered all the issues- not only planting the right tree in the right place for it to flourish but also ensuring it can be looked after adequately in its first few months or years. The WSCC Highways team recommended a special ‘Donate a Tree’ scheme to us, which would cover all the issues well. https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/maintaining-roads-verges-and-pavements/verge-maintenance/donate-a-tree-scheme/
If your club or residents’ group or business would like more information or be interested in taking part in either scheme, please contact us via the Parish Council website www.henfield.gov.uk. Suggestions for tree planting locations, and offers to help with planting would be welcome. Financial Contributions to help fund the extension of the crocus ribbon around the village would also be welcomed.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Cllr Gillian Perry
Chair of Recreation & Open Spaces Committee, Henfield Parish Council
