More than 100,000 daffodils planted in a town as part of a generous gift from a Canadian banker in his will are finally beginning to bloom.
The valley of bulbs were planted after a dying wish by Keith Owen, who planned to retire in Sidmouth in Devon, southwest England.
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2007 and decided to leave his life savings of £2.3m ($3 million) to a local voluntary conservation society.
He contacted the Sid Vale Association (SVA) and told them he wished for his money to be used to “support local projects, which made use of voluntary labour, and in particular to sustain the ambience and way of life, recognised in Sidmouth and its surroundings.”
Now the 153,000 bulbs planted across the town are finally beginning to bloom.
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Ed Harrison of the Sidmouth Civic Society said, “Every year it brings back happy memories of this man who did this amazing thing for the town.”
Snowdrops, daffodils, and crocus bulbs were among the 153,000 flowers worth £166,000 planted at over 50 sites.
The daffodils were planted on Peak Hill in Sidmouth.
Mr Owen died on December 3, 2007 in Victoria Hospital in Sidmouth.
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The millionaire was born in 1938 in nearby Totnes, and went to school at Montpelier Preparatory School in Paignton.
In 1976, after 20 years of RAF service with the British armed forces, he retired with the rank of Squadron Leader and set up home in Ottawa, Canada.
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What a sweet and lovely thing! I’m sure that this man’s soul is beaming to see the beauty that his kindness created!