The church was transformed with wonderful arrangements from 15 different village clubs and societies, along with additional creations from the St Andrew’s Church Flower Arrangers in a patriotic red, white and blue colour theme.
While the path to the church was lined with jolly paper flowers designed and made by children from Medstead Primary School, the aisle was also lined but with towering silver birch trees festooned with Union Flag bunting, leading the eye down to the altar and more wonderful arrangement. There were audible gasps of amazement and delight heard as visitors entered the church and saw them.
Every attention to detail was made and each display was a depiction of the Queen’s interests and involvements with associations such as the WI and Guiding through her 90 years. From exotic displays representing the Commonwealth and a balcony scene, complete with knitted royals by the Medstead Stitchers, to beaded trefoils made by the Brownies and Guides and paper flower representations of the Rainbows promise; the creativity, imagination and diverse skills of everyone came together in a huge, collective team effort that brought the whole village together in a truly joyous way.
As well as floral displays, other villagers had agreed to open their beautiful gardens and to share their planting tips with the visitors. This was organised with efficiency by Cate Lacey.
Delicious cakes and teas were then served to revive flagging visitors by Sharon Blackshaw and her team from St Andrew’s and Jennifer Lines provided a display of paintings to decorate the hall. A raffle then offered tempting prizes.
Organiser Marion Slater expressed a “huge thank you” to everyone who was involved and who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the flower festival.
“Special thanks go to the committee who gave up endless hours of their own time, namely Sue Gaskill, Ania Moore, Gaby Noble, Gill Siddall and Sue Todd, and to everyone who came to support us!” she added.