The official opening of the “Butterfly Meadow” in the Gardens at Sandringham took place on Friday 15 July, a collaborative project between The Sandringham Estate, The Norfolk Hospice and a local Blacksmith.
Handcrafted by local blacksmith, Nigel Barnett of Fransham Forge, over 2,500 steel model Butterflies are now on display in “The Dell” for visitors to see as part of their Gardens admission from the 16 July - 1 September. The butterflies painted blue in the style of the silver-studded blue butterfly, a species which can be found in Norfolk, echo the poppy installation at the Tower of London. With a suggested donation of £25, the butterflies offer a keepsake memory to commemorate the life of or pay tribute to someone special.
Measuring approximately six inches wide and three-foot-high the butterflies are affixed to a steel pole so they can be easily planted in the ground and will be available after the installation ends on 1 September to those that have donated, with one hundred percent of the proceeds supporting the work of The Norfolk Hospice.