For this our 60th and final flower festival the theme is “Titles”
This may seem a strange theme, but right from the start it was the importance of giving each display a title that made Ansley’s Flower Festivals very different to so many others. This also enabled us to bring the Bible alive to ourselves and especially to those who visited. If you want to know the full story it will be told at the Sunday morning 10.30 a.m. service.
In preparation for this event we will start on 12th August with making sure the churchyard is tidy, we will need to trim back the hedges and trees and also those many graves that are no longer attended. The paths will also need to be tidied. This churchyard work should not be as onerous as in previous years thanks to all the work carried out by the Britain in Bloom team, but it is amazing how much grows in a month especially when we have had so much rain.
If anyone wishes to help in the church during our preparations there are many jobs that will need to be covered even making a cupper is a great help, as well as cleaning and tidying etc. Please don’t wait to be asked. (“Many hands make light work.”)
We will continue to do our best for our environment, so again this year we will be hoping to grow more flowers locally as well as using pot plants. We will also try and not use just floristry foam but use some of the old methods such as jam jars and chicken wire! If you have any flowers or greenery that you would be happy to let us use please do bring it to church on Wednesday 21st or let us know and we will do our best to collect.
Probably the most difficult part of organising such a project, is publicity. We are always pleased to have any help with this aspect for all church events. If you can help in any way, it would be much appreciated. Email, Face Book, and any other forms of social media please help where you can. However, one of the best forms of publicity that has been found to work is “Word of Mouth” Please do tell people!
We will be accepting donations for the individual tapestry flowers that were made by people from around the world for the ‘Bouquet of Flowers’ Christmas Tree in 2021. Also on sale will be the newly produced book of photographs Ansley & Arley Past and Present.
The schedule is:
Saturday 24th August church open 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Sunday 25th August 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion
Sunday 25th August church open 12.00 p.m. to .6.00 p.m.
Monday 26th August church open 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Monday 26th August 5.30 p.m. Thanksgiving Service
During these times there will be refreshments available in the annexe, which, if the weather is kind, can be enjoyed in the churchyard with views of the countryside. The stall with home-grown and home-made produce will be in the churchyard, as will be displayed the fruit cakes that are being raffled. There will also be a quiz on the themes
On Monday afternoon Ansley Morris will be dancing, weather permitting in the churchyard, or in the church if wet.
After the event any flowers in good condition will be given to those recently bereaved or are ill who live in the parish. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a bunch of flowers who lives in the parish or if you can deliver, please do let it be known.
As for many years, there will be an opportunity to lay a stone on the pile and leave your burdens or put a flower in an arrangement as a thanksgiving or place a prayer in the Prayer Jar. These prayers will be brought to God before the end of the festival.
Continuing our usual practice, we will be supporting the Nuneaton Hospital League of Friends and the Acorns Children’s Hospice as well as raising money for church funds. Entrance will be free, but we do say “Please place a gift here not only to thank God for the joy of the Flower Festival, but for all the joys that God has brought to you.”
We pray for God’s blessing as we prepare for this event.