THE first training event for the recently announced Heritage Lottery funded project, to record and raise awareness of the special historic daffodil varieties growing in the Tamar Valley landscape, took place last week in Bere Ferrers.

Nineteen volunteers spent the morning learning to survey, measure, photograph and record data to help identify different varieties of daffodils in the valley with consultants Tamar Grow Local.

Armed with new skills and knowledge, the volunteers will now be heading out to their chosen locations to record daffodils in the hedges, fields and woodlands around the Tamar Valley.

The records will be used to create a database that will help map and identify populations of historically important daffodils. The information collected will help inform future work as to how to best protect the Tamar Valley’s daffodils for future generations.

Rachael Forster, from Tamar Grow Local, said: ‘We were really impressed with the enthusiasm and interest from our volunteers at the first training session and hope that we will be getting some really interesting data back from the local area.

‘There were hundreds of varieties of daffodils grown in the valley at one stage so we hope to see a variety of old and new species.’

Anyone who missed the training event in Bere Ferrers, but would like to get involved, can attend two more planned sessions for later this month — Saturday, March 25 at Bere Alston Village Hall and Monday, March 27 at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls.

Book your free place as soon as possible, as spaces are limited, on 01822 835030 or email [email protected]

Free guided walks, talks and visits have also been organised with priority given to those who attend the training sessions.