Visitors flock to Kempley Daffodil Weekend

Events celebrating wild daffodils in the Golden Triangle are taking place throughout March and last weekend centred on Kempley, with organisers calling it one of the most successful Daffodil Weekends ever held.

Guided walks starting from St Edward’s Church took place throughout the weekend and refreshments were served at Kempley Village Hall.

A free ‘Daff and ride’ bus also took visitors on a tour of the area.

A grant of £7,800 from Gloucestershire County Council’s Build Back Better Market Towns Fund had made the programme of events possible.

Daffodils at Shaw Common

It helped fund free 'Daff and Ride' minibus trips, support for those organising the events and production of the event programme.

“The unique approach of offering all events free of charge allowed everyone to enjoy this event and donate what they could afford,” said Kempley Daffodil Weekend press officer Martin Brocklehurst.

“Exhausted volunteers can look back on one of the most successful Kempley Daffodil Weekend events ever held. Under clear blue skies people came to experience the unique welcome this tiny village can provide and to see its famous daffodil glades.

Visitors enjoy a guided walk at Kempley Daffodil Weekend

“They went on organised walks in their hundreds, met the people who farm this land and the animals that graze its green pastures - including a superb and majestic steer of vintage Herefordshire stock, who hushed the visitors as he arose.

“To see 50 people stand in awe of this huge animal and then slowly gather courage to gently pat his head was some sight.”

Martin said new friendships had been forged between villagers and visitors.

Walkers learned how daffodil meadows and orchards are being managed

“To the banks of flowing golden daffodil flowers under majestic oaks and beech we must now add thousands of joyous faces of the visitors hosted by Kempley village,” he said. “Something special happened this weekend, something all of us involved will not forget.”