Bluebell Walk 2025

The weather on the Thursday was overcast in the morning but the sun broke through the green canopy onto the bluebells in the afternoon, and further into the wood to illuminate a host of white wood anemones.  Friday was sunny for most of the day.

As we were blessed with two dry days and mainly sunny days, there were 400 visitors on the Thursday and 655 on the Friday, the greater numbers being due to the forecast of warm sunshine and a blue sky all day.

Visitors to the Bluebell Walk were able to see the bluebells just at their peak as the wood becomes darker with more leaves of trees opening.  The bluebells offer up an essential oil described as reminiscent of a clear spring day.

Visitors who stood and closed their eyes to allow the floral haze to envelope them, could smell a scent like that of Lily of the Valley, very clean and leafy.

Visitors could choose from a selection of walks from a short stroll to a longer walk including neighbouring fields and woodland.  Visitors who were less able could enjoy the wheelchair route or the more adventurous of them could hire mobility scooters provided by the farmer.

After strolling through Beatons Wood to see the vista of the colonies of bluebells, and wood anemones visitors were able to sample the culinary delights on offer in the Bluebell Café, such as filled jacket potatoes, various salads, sandwiches, and daily specials including ploughman's lunch and soups.

There was a marvellous selection of homemade cakes provided by the wonderful catering team.  The visitor could choose vegan, dairy free or gluten free options.  The tempting display of cakes could not have happened without the organisation and guiding supervision of Rotarian Janice Vince along with the brilliant support and help of the Rotary ladies and volunteers baking the delicious cakes and savouries etc. for which we, as well as the visitors, are very grateful.

We are grateful to all who helped in the kitchen and servery, table clearers, and washer uppers.

Janice said “Can I give a BIG thank you to all those wonderful people that helped make the Blue bell walk a success.  We had 1055 people pass through the gate to the wood and I think that most of them visited the Cafe sometimes twice.  We had just enough cakes, so thank you very much to those that provided cakes, they were much appreciated.  We did run out of a few things, and sent a runner to stock up.”

The table clearers’ trips to the kitchen, particularly on the Friday, kept the washer uppers busy maintaining a continuous supply of clean crockery and cutlery to enable the café to keep running smoothly on both days.

At the end of the day, brooms and dust pans and brushes were put to good use, and tables and work surfaces wiped to leave the Bluebell Café clean for the next charity to staff the facility.

As a result of the sterling efforts of all who helped, initial estimates indicate that over £4,625 was raised, including £200 contribution from the gate money donated by the farmer.

All money raised will be used to support both local charitable and international Rotary projects.