Brian May has been left frustrated after his plan to plant thousands of daffodils on a village green were blocked by ‘killjoy’ councillors.
The Queen legend had hoped to brighten up the landmark with a sea of blooms following a similar scheme at a nearby church.
But his offer was turned down over safety fears, with officials claiming the flowers could block drivers’ views.
The 78-year-old guitarist, who lives near Elstead, Surrey, said he was baffled by the decision and hinted he may try again.
Last year, Sir Brian helped plant thousands of daffodils he donated outside St James’ Church.
They burst into bloom earlier this year, prompting him to pitch the same idea for the village green.
But Elstead Parish Council rejected the proposal, saying it could interfere with sight lines and pose a risk to traffic.
Councillors also said they wanted to preserve the green as an open shared space, with some residents keen to keep it uncluttered or explore alternative planting.
The musician gifted 3,000 bulbs, which he helped plant outside St James’ Church last year, and which had bloomed this spring (pictured)
In a meeting on April 20, the council rejected May’s plan on the grounds that it would interfere with the sight lines on the green could create a problem for traffic
Brian said: ‘Apparently the main objection is that the sight lines on the green will be affected for traffic.
‘We’re struggling to imagine how 18-inch stalks could obstruct anyone’s view, especially when the green is normally surrounded by parked vehicles, including a seven-foot-high ice cream van.
‘For now we are reluctantly cancelling my orders for bulbs.’
The council said: ‘We fully understand that this will be disappointing.
‘However, Elstead Parish Council has a responsibility to balance community initiatives with safety, accessibility as well as the long-term management of the village green for all users.
‘It was also recognised that Church Green and the village green are two very different areas – the former with its tree coverage is more amenable to daffodil planting.
‘Elstead Parish Council did offer alternative locations for planting and whilst these were not accepted.
‘The parish council would welcome continued dialogue to explore these alternative locations.’
The 78-year-old guitarist, who lives near Elstead, Surrey, said he was baffled by the decision and suggested he may try again
It’s not the first daffodil drama for Sir Brian, as the flowers planted at St James’s Church turned out to be the wrong colour.
Instead of the planned subtle cream and pale yellow blooms, they came up bright yellow.
He said: ‘Remember those 3,000 daffodil bulbs that Team Daffodil diligently planted a few months ago?
‘Well, we are blessed – they all came up and are looking very jolly in the early spring sunshine on Elstead Church Green.
‘There is just one problem – they’re not the ones we planned.
‘The vision was a sea of Ice Follies, cream with pale yellow trumpets, harmonising with the limestone church walls and the perfect backdrop for photos after church weddings.
‘But it was not to be. Due to a supply error, we have a sea of Golden Aura.
‘So, at first I was disappointed but the more I look at our result, the more I think it was somehow meant to be.
‘These very traditional, ‘natural’ narcissus flowers look pretty splendid, waving in the sunshine, and they harmonise nicely with the pre-existing clumps around the trees.’
Despite the hiccup, the blooms were still celebrated, with the church’s vicar, Rev Hannah Moore, even giving them a blessing.
Despite suffering a minor stroke in 2024, May hasn’t hung up his guitar just yet as he’s simply traded gruelling world tours for a lighter schedule.
He recently teased fans on Instagram, sharing that he intends to return to the stage for some live performances in the near future.
Since the loss of legendary frontman Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen, a powerhouse with nearly 300 million records sold, has remained active through several different iterations and lineups.
