An indigo base is usually meant for an adult and often signifies an unhappy or inauspicious occasion.

‘The beginning was decidedly inauspicious ,’ she writes.

‘This isn't my day’ she concluded somewhat belatedly; shaking her head in a combination of attrition and black humor as she considered the somewhat odious inauspiciousness of today's events thus far.

But, for many, sadly all snowdrops are to be shunned; like other white flowers, they are often considered inauspicious .

Despite an inauspicious damp start to the day, the sun came out as the 1,400 participants gathered for the event, which was held at Broughton Hall, near Skipton.