03 March 2024 , 08:00
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The Great British Bake Off house has been hit - by an invasion of SLUGS.
The unwelcome molluscs have destroyed snowdrops at the famous country estate that has been a filming location for the popular show for the last decade. Welford Park in Newbury, Berkshire, released an announcement to prospective visitors - entitled "Where have all the flowers gone?"
The park is traditionally the home of a "magnificent" carpet of snowdrops, which typically sprout throughout February. But sadly for visitors, the heavy rain and warm air throughout the month has caused an epidemic of slugs - which have decimated the snowdrop population on the grounds.
"February 2024 has been one of the wettest months on record, certainly since we opened in 1998," said the team at Welford Park in a statement on their Facebook. "Last year the snowdrops were magnificent and white for 5 weeks, lasting right through to March. Here we are on the 24th of February and unfortunately the Galanthus Nivalis have turned early and gone over. This is due to the very high rainfall and warm temperature for the time of year - as such we are suffering epidemic levels of slug infestation and they have simply eaten their way through the carpet in our beech wood in the last few days."
Welford Park has served as the home of the Great British Bake Off from 2014 to 2019, and then again from 2022 after a brief relocation during the COVID lockdowns. Fortunately for the team, not all is lost - as the slugs haven't shown as much interest in their other spring flowers.
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"However, we can report that the Hellebores are at their best, Crocus, early Daffodils, Cyclamens, Petasites, Viburnums and Daphne are all standing tall," said the team. "There is also a whole host of wildlife to be seen around the grounds as well as the Norman Church and our warm, dry tea tent serving delicious light lunches, tea and cake."
"The grounds of Welford Park will remain open as planned until Sunday 3rd March for our visitors to enjoy everything that Welford has to offer." The proceeds from the three Sundays where the snowdrops are visible each year are donated to charities, with this year's being the National Garden Scheme, Newbury Cancer Care and Newbury Soup Kitchen.