After 44 years tending the tulips in the Southern Highlands' parks and gardens, Barry Ford still gets a thrill out of seeing visitors' reactions.
Barry has watched the development of Tulip Time since 1960 when he planted the first tulips in Corbett Park.
"Me and my uncle Alf Stubbs were working in Glebe Park next to Bradman Oval, when Dave Absalom came up and said 'I've come up with a great idea'," recalled Barry.
Dave's great idea - planting tulips - was launched in style by radio personality Jack Davey at the tulip-decked Bowral Picture Theatre.
The £5000 raised went back into buying more tulip bulbs and Tulip Time was on its way.
Barry recalled that in the early days, tulips were planted in smaller beds.
A star attraction was the Queen of the Night black tulip, so rare that only 12 bulbs could be found for Tulip Time.
Full story in Wednesday's Southern Highland News.
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