St George’s Church, Brede, held its 37th annual flower festival on August 27, 28 and 29. Entitled “Famous Films” the 49 flower arrangers really let themselves be inspired. Greeted by a large gold figure, “Celebrating the Oscars” by Andrew Burchett and Beth Cooksey, on the green outside the church, on entering the church porch, visitors were treated to a display of exotic greenery and flowers. “Doesn’t look at all like a country church” someone was heard to say. And indeed, this was an entirely different church flower festival.
Greeted on the left of the entrance by a wonderful rendering of “Four Weddings and a Funeral, by Sue Sturmey and Rhiannon Oliver, each wedding in a different arrangement, including a very small coffin. In fact, Sue Sturmey organised the festival, helped by Rhiannon Oliver.
Looking straight ahead, there was an amazing sight high up, a flower balloon ( see picture, right)hanging above, with a small house attached. “Up” indeed, so cleverly executed by Amber Whitehead. The aisle pew ends had all the zing of 007, the James Bond films, by Deidre Bull and Jo Joyce, and facing the church, behind the altar table, Gary Marriott had gone “Out Of Africa”(see picture, left). There was “The Slipper and the Rose”, “Breakfast at Tiffanys”, “Singing in the Rain” – 53 different arrangements in all.
The Rector of Brede with Udimore and Beckley and Peasmarsh, Fr Martin Harper, put it well, in his introduction in the programme, reminding us that this was a sacred space, where the sacraments of birth, marriage and death are carried out. These were all reflected in the beauty of the displays on show.
This festival was a glorious display of both professional and good amateur flower arrangers, with the odd imposter, such as the author, to let the side down! The church looked wonderful, but there was still space for quiet reflection. The whole event just demonstrated how a community can come together to produce something greater than the sum of its parts, to give real pleasure to a lot of visitors and hopefully increased funds for St George’s, Brede. This should have been helped by a delicious refreshment stall, plants and “Granny’s Attic”! It was a stunning display in every respect.
Photos: Gillian Roder