THE daffodils are in bloom and things are hotting up for the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. And, this year the village will be celebrating the event s 40th anniversary. This will be the second year that Lynne Turner, of Church Street, has organised the event

THE daffodils are in bloom and things are hotting up for the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend.

And, this year the village will be celebrating the event's 40th anniversary..

This will be the second year that Lynne Turner, of Church Street, has organised the event.

She said: "There is so much to plan and I started way back in September.

"But it is a fantastic weekend.

"People come from all over the country. In fact last year I was talking to some ladies who came all the way from Derby."

The show began in 1969 when organisers used the event to raise funds to meet repair work on the village church roof.

It has run almost every year since with funds now being shared with a designated charity.

This year organisers have chosen the Parkinson's Disease Society as the event's charity.

And it is hoped that the weekend will raise as much as last year's total of £21,600.

Attractions throughout the day include heavy horses giving dray rides, the Raptor Foundation, and organ and music recitals.

"I think it is such a popular event because it is traffic free, there is a nice atmosphere, and it's good for the family," said Lynne, who has lived in the village for three years.

"You don't have to keep hold of the children all day, and they have a good time, which is important.

"Thriplow is a rural village, and this is still quite a traditional affair which people love.

"The roads and footpaths are all connected. You can walk right round the village quite easily and meet back up.

"There are Morris dancers and may pole dancing which may be dying out, but things haven't changed much in this village.

"The village smithy is also open and working, giving demonstrations, and there are not many villages that have one now.

"Everybody in the village gets involved on the day. It really is run by the villagers - they bake cakes, run the stalls, and the car park.

"There must be something about the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend, because of the thousands of people who come.

"The daffodils are out and we are hoping there will be more.

"It really is quite special."

The 40th Thriplow Daffodil Weekend is on April 12-13, between 11am-5pm each day.

Adult entrance will cost £5 and children £2, those under school age enter free.

For more information visit www.thriplow.org.uk