Join East Suffolk Council's daffodil planting campaign

And now people across East Suffolk are being asked to join in spreading that blooming spring feeling - albeit a year early.

With the launch of the planting initiative, 'East Suffolk Blooms', East Suffolk Council is encouraging voluntary and community groups to join the campaign and plant bundles of bulbs in time for spring 2024.

The scheme is open for any voluntary and community group across the entire district to plant bulbs on public land.

East Suffolk Blooms sees groups required to complete a simple application form by May 31, ahead of a decision panel meeting to determine applications in June.

Successful groups will then be invited to collect their bulbs from depots in either Ufford or Lowestoft in early November.

Daffodils in full bloom around St Marys Church Henstead, Beccles (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr James Mallinder, campaign champion and East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “This is another example of our commitment to ensuring we champion and enhance our natural environments.

“Aside from creating a patchwork of colour, this campaign will generate a new network of pollinators across East Suffolk.

“I would encourage voluntary and community groups to join the campaign and help East Suffolk bloom.

"Together, we can ensure the environmental sustainability of our communities and create a lasting legacy.”

A different variety of bulbs will be on offer, in limited numbers, each year.

For the 2023 handout, the bulbs will be a variety of narcissus, available in bundles of 500, although groups may apply for more than one bundle.

To join the East Suffolk Blooms bulb planting scheme see the website: my.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/service/Bulb_planting_scheme

Daffodils at Southwold (Image: Newsquest)

Last year, 200 oak trees were distributed to communities across East Suffolk to plant in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

The ‘Treebilee’ scheme was launched by the then Prince of Wales to encourage the planting of trees during a year of celebrations to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Furthermore, East Suffolk Council’s ‘Pardon the weeds, we’re feeding the bees’ campaign has, for the last three years, allowed grass and wildflowers to grow in more than 100 spaces in order to help wildlife thrive.