THOUSANDS of snowdrops are to create a stunning show along the route of a wildflower memorial walk.

Norley Wildlife Group set itself the target of planting 10,000 snowdrops along the route of the walk and elsewhere in the village.

The three-mile wildflower walk was created by the group to commemorate the Norley men who died in The First World War, and the snowdrops are being planted in part because of their link with soldiers returning from The Crusades and The Crimea.

The 10,000 snowdrops cost £1,200, which the group raised thanks to generous donations from many people, including Richard Scott from Landlife, Norley Parish Council, Norley Horticultural Society, Forresters and Partners Construction.

“As snowdrops can be fickle and have to be planted immediately, we decided it would be prudent to plant only four thousand this year, especially as we had relatively few volunteer ‘snow-droppers’ to help,” said group chairman Phil Gifford.

“We could then see where they thrived, and use this as a way to get greater success next year using the remaining money.

“We had a mass planting, and more than two thousand were planted in the memorial garden, the remainder along the walk and at the plaques and display boards.

“Thanks to those who turned up, braving the rain, and Adam Kitching, who has already put in 250 near Home Farm.

“There is also great news about maintaining and increasing the declining native bluebells in the Church wood next to St John’s on our wildflower memorial walk.

“We put together a successful bid under Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s small grants scheme, and now have almost £1,000 to really make a difference.

“The plans includes the sowing of seed and planting bulbs of native Cheshire bluebells from Shipton Bulbs, the control of brambles and ivy, as well as tree surgery to open up the canopy to enable an understorey to develop and ensure ground flora, including the bluebells, can get enough light.

“We are working closely with our vicar, Pete Rugen, and our scheme can act as a foundation for his super plan to put a path through the wood.”