Families a-maze-d by flower power
ANEW family attraction is really growing in popularity - take a look at Macclesfield’s spectacular sunflower maze.
The unusual creation has been made by farmers Dan Thornicroft and Bethan Summers at their home on Shellow Lane, Gawsworth.
Last year the couple had a pick your own pumpkin patch, and Dan was inspired when a random sunflower grew in the middle of it.
So in May this year they planted ten acres of sunflowers, half of which was turned into a maze that opened earlier this month.
The remaining part of the area is for people to pick their own - and so far around 2,500 have visited.
Dan, 34, said: “I’m blown away and immensely proud of how well it has gone and the support we have received.
“The driving force was to get kids into the countryside, to see how things grow and to see families enjoying it, taking pictures and asking questions has been humbling.
“We don’t chemicals.
“It’s all very natural and use any we are building a habitat - I’ve never seen so many bees, butterflies, dragonflies and birds in over 30 years at the farm.”
In the maze letters can be found to form a word, with anyone getting the correct answer entered into a draw to win a family pass to pumpkin pick in October.
But anyone wanting to come along will have to be quick, Dan estimates that the seasonal attraction will only be in bloom for another two weeks or so.
It is called Libby’s Sunflower and Pumpkin Patch - named after Dan’s late mum, who passed away 12 years ago from cancer.
He makes a donation to East Cheshire Hospice from the money he raises as staff there cared for his mum while she was ill.
The sunflowers in the maze are around 6ft tall.
It can be found at Thornicroft Farm, Gawsworth.
For more information or to book either pumpkin picking or the sunflower maze/picking visit www. libbyspatch.com or call 07923 988785.