As part of the International and Foundation committee work this year there is a special attention being given to the eradication of polio worldwide. A sub-committee has been formed for this extra activity, run by Jan Lloyd.

They finally arrived, our beautiful purple crocuses, and MK News was there to celebrate with us.  The annual reappearance of these flowers and the notice behind them, should help to remind people of the purpose of Focus on the Crocus, that Rotary International is working in those few places still afflicted with polio to eradicate it worldwide.
Pictured (left) are club members Carol Barker, Maureen Forbes, President Adrian James, Jan Lloyd and
the Manager of Jury's Inn, Anthony Barrett.
(Photo by MK News)

“Members of MK Rotary Club were to be found this morning, 23rd February 2011, Rotary Awareness Day, outside Jury’s Inn playing “Hunt the Crocus” and humming quietly to themselves, “Where have all the flowers gone?”!  Very close inspection, and no-one got closer than secretary John who was found kneeling, not in prayer, but attempting to get these photographs, revealed that the bulbs are growing and some have even flowered.  In two weeks the area should look as we had hoped it would – a mass of beautiful purple blooms.  With the new sign in place, it will serve as a yearly reminder to all who pass that area, the reason for our work in wiping out polio worldwide.”  Bookmarks with a purple crocus picture were handed out to members of the public passing by, who were made more aware of what Rotary was doing, and the fight to eradicate Polio worldwide.
Once again we are grateful to Jury's Inn, who provided us with hot drinks, to warm us up again.

Note later in March: The bulbs have now flowered. Photos are below!

Click on photos below for an enlarged version, with caption!

October planting
Milton Keynes Rotary Club with our helpers managed to plant all our 5000 crocus bulbs on 3rd October in twenty minutes.  The site which is just outside Jury's Inn, at the Hub in Milton Keynes, is one of high impact, being visible from the footpaths, roads and from the hotel itself and had been prepared in advance by staff from Milton Keynes Council. Despite the rain which had fallen everyone enjoyed themselves, throwing the bulbs across the ground and then pushing them in to the earth where they had landed. Permission to use the site has been given to the club by Milton Keynes Council, and MK Council officer, Rita Vahey helped throughout the project. After the planting Jury's Inn provided free refreshments.

The club is immensely grateful to Milton Keynes Council and Jury's Inn for their support to us.

If you require further information please contact Club Secretary or Jan Lloyd