St Mary's Flower Festival Photos 23-26 August 2019

Theme: "When the Saints Go Marching In".

St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, was thronged by around 2,000 visitors enthralled by a grand Flower Festival during the August Bank Holiday Weekend, 23-26th August 2019. There were over 40 splendid exhibits by local flower arrangers, each exhibit representing one of the saints.

The public viewing was preceded by a private view on the preceding Thursday evening to which about 80 guests were invited.  The evening was enhanced by piano accompaniment played by Elliot Randall, the organ scholar at St. Mary’s. There was also a concert by the Claydon Chamber Orchestra in the church at 7.30 p.m. on the Saturday, which performed works by Handel, Suk, Ravel, Elgar, Tchaikovsky and Vaughan Williams to a very appreciative audience.

Pam Russell, the church flower co-ordinator and Jane Knight the festival designer enjoyed the challenge of depicting the saints in flowers and accessories. The Rector, Rev’d Canon David Tomlinson, added, “The Festival has been a wonderful celebration of the beauty and creativity of God as seen in the eye-catching displays and the moving music of Saturday’s concert. It has also exemplified God’s church working brilliantly together. I am very grateful to the principal sponsor, Peasgood and Skeates, and all our sponsors, and the multitude of people who have contributed to this hugely successful event.”

Just over £9,000 was raised by this event which will go towards the church’s current building project, which has already provided an award-winning servery, welcome desk and accessible toilet. The next stage is to re-locate and renovate the Audley Tomb, a monument of national significance, to make it more accessible to visitors.

Photos of the displays. Thanks to Clifford Want, Brian Eastcott, Tony Downing and Martin Hugall. See programme for further details.