A FANTASTIC display of flowers and glorious open gardens attracted visitors from far and wide came to the picturesque village of Easton.
The Easton Flower Festival and Open Gardens event came to the village over the weekend of Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19.
St Mary’s Church was festooned with flowers and it soon became apparent that this was not just an amateur effort, but the hard work of a talented and dedicated team led by professionals: Pauline Lund and James Grieg.
David Swinstead, from Easton, said: “I was overwhelmed by the thought that, although the church has seen many events both happy and sad, and on occasion been filled with flowers, the interior has never in all its long history looked as stunningly beautiful as it did at that moment. I realised I was witnessing history, a very special moment, a once in a lifetime event.”
The celebration weekend started with Thursday’s Sparkling Preview drinks reception in the churchyard where guests were treated to a sneak preview of the stunning flowers and listened to Arias sung by the supremely talented soprano Claire Rutter.
Although the weekend’s weather extremes brought their challenges, the flowers and the nine open gardens looked resplendent throughout.
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Visitors enjoyed cakes and refreshments in the farmyard barn and many took the opportunity to invest in original pieces of artwork displayed at the art exhibition featuring local artists: Jules Hoffman, Kirstin White, Emma Lowres, Jean Wheeler and Jonathan Chapman.
Over the festival weekend more than 500 visitors came and £12,000 was raised for the St Mary’s Church Building Foundation and Ukraine crisis support.
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Charlie Gloyn said: "We would like to thank everyone who visited and gave their support in so many kind ways to help make the event a resounding success."
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