Wessex Electricals celebrates 50th anniversary with ’50 yards’ of snowdrops
The managing director of Wessex Electricals helped plant 50 yards of snowdrops to celebrate the firm’s 50th anniversary.
The firm – a subsidiary of the Wessex Group – was founded in Shaftesbury, Dorset, where it remains. The Jubilee legacy in the town involved planting over 100,000 snowdrops, and Wessex Electricals supplied ’50 yards’ of them – 5,000 plants. Each month this year, the Wessex Group is donating ’50 things’ to a good cause or charity.Gordon Green, managing director of Wessex Electricals, joined staff and students of the Equilibrium Training Workshop. They were helping with the more difficult aspects of planting on a steep slope in the Anglo Saxon hilltop town. Those snowdrops are some of more than 100,000 that have been planted in and around the town to enhance the community and help attract visitors.
Dorset author Thomas Hardy wrote that ‘the snowdrop’s face betrays no gloom’, and organisers hope the displays will prompt smiles each winter for years to come.
Gordon Green said, ‘Wessex Group is now a large company, but began 50 years ago in Shaftesbury when Tony Morgan set up his own electrics company. His sons Simon and Alistair, the joint managing directors, wanted to mark the anniversary and each month we are giving away “50 things” – and it was great to be able to help the town where it all started.
‘The idea of a Jubilee legacy in making Shaftesbury more attractive was something we were keen to be a part of. It is quite a slope that the bulbs were planted on and hopefully we will come back next year and see them in all their glory.’
Pam Cruickshank (pictured with Gordon Green), from Shaftesbury Snowdrops, said, ‘As a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee, the people of Shaftesbury and the surrounding areas have planted thousands of snowdrops. They are situated in public areas around the town and will create in time a series of scenic, public snowdrop walks.
‘It was a very welcome gesture of the Wessex Group to cover 50 yards of hillside along one of Shaftesbury’s most scenic paths with snowdrops and we are very grateful. Snowdrop tourism is growing and can really help draw people in and that’s what we believe will happen in Shaftesbury.
‘As the snowdrops spread each year, they will enhance our environment and attract many winter visitors to Shaftesbury. We want to enable all residents in Shaftesbury to feel a sense of shared identity by getting together for a worthwhile and rewarding community project.’
