Where: Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud

When: Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, & Sunday, February 9, 11am - 4pm

The Museum in the Park in Stroud is holding its first-ever Snowdrop Celebration this coming weekend.

Along with craft workshops and plant stalls, there will be a celebration of the Giant Snowdrop Company, a business based in Hyde, near Stroud, from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s. A small display in the Museum's reception area will tell the story of this local company whose importance is nationally recognised as having laid the foundations for the current popularity and availability of snowdrops.

By collecting, propagating and offering bulbs for sale by mail order, Brigadier and Mrs Mathias with Herbert Ransom made available to a wide group of ordinary gardeners many varieties which had previously only been accessible to a small group of dedicated Galanthophiles.

In the Walled Garden at the Museum there are a collection of snowdrop varieties connected with the Giant Snowdrop Company, from the scented Galanthus S. Arnott - the original giant snowdrop - to snowdrops collectively known as the 'Hyde Four' named after family members as well as many other notable varieties.

There will be a snowdrop trail for children and Miss Daisy's pop up café will be serving light lunches and delicious homemade cakes. Look out for a plant stall from leading supplier of specialist snowdrops, Avon Bulbs, and Miserden Nursery who will be selling early season plants.

You can also pick up and share tips about the special places in Gloucestershire to see spectacular snowdrop displays.

Whether you are a dedicated Galanthophile or have yet to discover the wonders of the snowdrop world, do come and join us to celebrate this captivating flower.

On Saturday afternoon at 2pm there will be a special talk by Jane Kilpatrick entitled 'The Five Valleys: At the Heart of the Snowdrop Story'.

Jane is co-author of the book 'The Galanthophiles - 160 years of Snowdrop Devotees', and she will help you discover the rich history of snowdrop cultivation and collecting in the local area. Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions) and booking is essential - call 01453 763394.

On Sunday afternoon, February 9 at 3pm, Stroud's much-loved comedian-poet-illustrator Bill Jones will be performing his 'Growing Victorians' show as part of the Snowdrop Weekend. Tickets cost £5, limited places, so please book soon if you'd like to come along - call 01453 763394.