ROTARIANS’ PURPLE PLANTING IS BLOOMING FANTASTIC!

Residents living in a sheltered housing scheme on the outskirts of Darlington will have a ‘spring’ in their step next year thanks to the generosity of a local Rotary club.

The Rotary Club of Darlington have planted an amazing 4,000 purple crocus bulbs at the Broadacres-run Rockliffe Court scheme in Hurworth.

This forms part of the Rotary Club’s Purple4Polio campaign, which contributes to Rotary International’s fight to eradicate polio. The purple crocus is a symbol of the worldwide campaign, with its colour representing the purple dye used to mark the fingers of children who have been immunised.

12 Darlington Rotarians, working in groups of six to abide by Covid-19 regulations (this took place prior to the latest lockdown) planted crocuses at the entrance leading to Rockcliffe Court and in the gardens. Previously the Friends of Rockliffe Court, a community group, looked after the gardens and raised funds to maintain them but this group has now ceased.

This will mean that come spring, residents at Rockliffe Court will be able to look out onto a lovely splash of purple outside their homes.

Roly Lang, a member of The Rotary Club of Darlington, said: “It only took us an hour to plant 4,000 bulbs so hopefully in early spring, the gardens at Rockliffe Court will look lovely.

“We have had a long-standing association with Rockliffe Court so it’s nice to have been able to support them again whilst at the same time raising money for our polio appeal.”

Susan Ballard, Manager of Rockliffe Court, said: “On behalf of residents and staff at Rockliffe Court we would like to thank The Rotary Club of Darlington for buying the crocuses and giving up their time on a weekend to plant them for us.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them flower in the spring and being surrounded by so much purple loveliness!”

Rockliffe Court would like to hear from any members of the local community interested in volunteering at the scheme. This could entail running future fundraising events, gardening or providing companionship for residents. Please contact Susan Ballard on 01325 721773.