Thriplow Daffodil Weekend 2018: Coldest festival in 50-year history still warms visitors’ hearts

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

The Thriplow Daffodil Weekend is usually a firm indicator that spring has sprung – it takes months of hard work by more than 350 volunteers to put together – and on the eve of this year’s 50th anniversary extravaganza, the South Cambs village basked in 14°c sunshine.

However, by the start of the festival on Saturday, it was all change – as freezing temperatures meant a blanket of snow covered the village and stayed all weekend.

Mini steam engines on display at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

Despite the weather, the show went ahead as planned with the early count of money raised standing at £18,000.

A TDW spokeswoman said: “Our visitors are truly amazing. Thank you for rescuing us – after five months of volunteer planning it would have been so disheartening not to have raised money for our local charities.”

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

The trade stalls and hot food sellers were out, as were Morris dancers and a Civil War reinactment regiment.

There were many other traditional attractions including a dog show which entertained the faithful visitors.

The Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

The nominated charity for this year’s event was Stars, which supports young people facing grief after the death of someone close to them.

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

The Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

A volunteer at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

A steam engine at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

The Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

A bird of prey show at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

A dog competiting at the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

Visitors to the Thriplow Daffodil Weekend. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2018)

Picturesque Thriplow is the setting for the daffodil festival. Picture: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)

The Civil War re-enactment by Rawdon’s Regiment were part of the weekend’s entertainment. Picture: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)

Imelda Micallef delighted with a purchase of some glass flowers. Picture: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)

Morris dancers keeping warm at the festival. Picture: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)

Edward Allen at the smithy. Picture: Clive Porter (Image: Archant)