One of Gloucester’s oldest monuments is being prepared to bloom with vibrant colour next February.
The grounds of St Oswalds Priory, which is owned and managed by the city council, are being planted with 8,000 crocus bulbs. 
A team of students from Gloucestershire College along with staff from Enterprise will be taking on the mammoth task.
The bulbs have been donated by Gloucester Rotary Club as part of the international drive to eradicate polio. They will bloom during their fundraising period.
Councillor Steve Morgan, cabinet member for the environment, commented: “ We are delighted to be given these bulbs and to have the support of the college and colleagues from Enterprise in helping to plant them.
“ The international rotary movement has done a magnificent job in helping to fight this awful disease across the world. These bulbs will help make a colourful statement on what is a serious issue.”
The bulb planting complements a series of improvements that have been made along the route that links the St Oswalds Park area to the city centre.
Jennie Gray, Gloucestershire College Foundation Studies Lecturer, said: “The students are very much looking forward to being involved with the crocus planting session. The initiative supports their environmental awareness community project module perfectly. We are all looking forward to seeing the crocuses bloom in February.”
