I’ve often driven past the signs advertising the Peasmarsh Flower Festival -you can’t miss them with the fluorescent green and with the distinctive directional banners at the bottom of Church Lane. Even the Peasmarsh village sign has been embellished with a floral tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, whose 70th year on the throne we are celebrating this year, culminating in a four day weekend.
Appropriately, this year’s Flower Festival has the theme of royal connections, organised by Dierdre Bull and her team and, as is customary, is held at the church where entry and adjacent parking are both free.
St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church occupies a tranquil country lane setting, the perfect backdrop for the festival. Having parked in Church Lane, I followed the clear and well- positioned signs to the churchyard where I found the tea and cakes team of ladies who had organised a fantastic spread of naughty but very nice cakes and savouries, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, too good to miss so I didn’t!
I had a cream bun and a hot coffee and, after swapping introductions with the three ladies behind the counter, I headed for the church and the festival. The plant stall was in full swing with a steady trickle of customers choosing their purchases, all under cover as given the weather so far, the gazebo was a useful precaution. Let’s hope it isn’t needed over the weekend.
The superb maypole display outside catches your eye and adorning the double doors were two standard roses and in the vestibule various displays highlighting Riding for the Disabled. Inside the church, I bought my raffle tickets then started my slow walk around all the displays. What an amazing spectacle and what clever ideas had been put together. I’m told that a handful of displays were put together by flower arrangers but the majority were by locals who just wanted to take part for the fun of it and every single display looked very professional to me.
I could ramble on all day about each display but rather than bore you I will let the photos do the talking. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to photograph every display and apologies to those I have missed out or haven’t mentioned but congratulations to all involved in this colourful weekend of flowers with royal connections. A huge effort has gone into making these displays and if you missed it this year, diarise it for next – it’s well worth the effort to make the journey.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Here here Nick! It’s something my Mum and I tend to visit every year! It never disappoints with the beautiful floral displays lovely cakes etc and the beautiful church too what a setting!