Crocuses again
One mystery has been solved in Reading – the painting on the wall of the old Reading Gaol is the work of Banksy. But what is that circle of crocuses presently blooming by Christchurch footbridge all about? Now the crocuses can be revealed as the work of Reading Rotary Club.
For 35 years Rotary International has been working to banish the scourge of Polio from the world. The campaign has been brilliantly successful with all but two of the 125 countries affected by this terrible disease. Polio causes paralysis and sometimes death, mainly to children (it used to be called infantile paralysis) and Rotary is determined to end this disease forever.
Why crocuses? The variety that is planted produces light purple flowers with a white stripe, reminiscent of the purple dye that is put on the little finger of the children when they receive their jab. So, Reading Rotary Club planted a “Rotary Wheel” of crocuses next to Christchurch footbridge. The crocuses are there to provide a beautiful reminder of the need to finally rid the world of polio.
Rotary is a worldwide organisation of people of action taking part in and supporting good causes both locally and internationally. You may know of Reading Rotary Club through its staging of Reading’s annual Santa Run. If you would like to help with any of our projects, have a look at www.readingrotary.co.uk