Heralds of Spring
Heralds of Spring
The Tamar Valley is renowned for its rich history of market gardening, which experienced significant growth following the decline of the local mining industry. In addition to fruit cultivation such as strawberries, cherries, and apples, flowering bulbs were extensively bred and cultivated on many of the valley's slopes.
Daffodils are a defining symbol of spring in the Valley, bringing colour and vitality to its villages and countryside. In the autumn of 2024, Tamar Community Trust purchased 900 heritage bulbs, all of which were bred prior to the 1920s and bear distinctive names such as Beersheeba, Seagull, and Cyclataz. These bulbs were distributed to a number of locations across the Tamar Valley, where they were planted for the enjoyment of the wider community. Planting sites included the Community Orchard, St Andrews churchyard, and St Andrews Church of England Primary School in Buckland Monachorum, as well as Bere Alston Primary School and the Living Churchyard at St Andrews in Calstock.
