Hope in Nature - Snowdrop Festival Challenge - Shepton Mallet Town Council

‘Hope in Nature’ – Snowdrop Festival challenge to the people of Shepton

The first snowdrops are already peeping through but sadly, due to the coronovirus, the Shepton Mallet
Snowdrop Festival won’t go ahead as usual this year. Nevertheless, as we face another long period of
lockdown the organisers think it’s more important than ever to celebrate the Snowdrop. Their theme –
‘Hope in Nature’ – couldn’t be more relevant today.
Being in the fresh air amidst trees, plants and nature is well known to help combat loneliness and
depression and build a greater sense of wellbeing. The early green shoots and delicate flowers of the
Snowdrop signal the start of a new year, the promise of spring, and fresh hope for brighter, healthier
times ahead.
Last year, many people across the country put rainbows in their windows to show their support for the
NHS. Snowdrop Festival organisers are asking children, adults, families and businesses to do the same
with the Snowdrop to bring people together and help build a sense of optimism and hope for the
coming year.
Their challenge to the people of Shepton is to celebrate the Snowdrop by creating their own displays,
real or handmade, by penning a poem or writing a story. The organisers want people to show their
snowdrops and poems where others can see them, in windows, gardens or community spaces, and
online. As parents cope with the challenges of children at home and home schooling these are perfect
activities to give a sense of purpose and keep them occupied.
Festival organisers are asking everyone to spread the word on social media and via word of mouth to
encourage friends and family to take part: “Help us to flood the town with snowdrops. Over the years
we’ve worked with volunteers to plant tens of thousands of bulbs. We’d love to make 2021 a record
year with snowdrops everywhere in the town, real or hand-made. We’ll publish poems and stories on
social media – we hope others will too – and add a few to our website, and the snowdrops people create
and show will make our Snowdrop Trail the best ever.”