ALL SAINTS Church’s flower festival over the weekend drew crowds beyond their wildest dreams.
The organisers of the event hosted a display of 13 floral artworks, each focusing on a different aspect of the church’s life.
The place of worship has recently undergone major renovation, with the main church building now transformed into a wide, light space suitable for a range of community activities.
As well as primarily being a location for Sunday services, the church’s new SpaceForAll also functions as an all day community café, and a flexible arts venue suitable for concerts, conferences and exhibitions.
After months of waiting, All Saints re-opened this summer.
To celebrate this, and all the various groups connected with the church, All Saints’ flower team created a display of blooms to welcome the community into the building.
The floral artists’ innovative displays described the work itself; the building contractors, the masons, and the tilers.
Other pieces paid homage to the Vestry Guild, who manage robes and linen, the Flower Guild, Mothers Union, music groups, and churchyard working parties.
Special services for the Scouting Organisation, the Civic Service, Remembrance Day, Advent, Christmas, Easter and Harvest each had their own display.
And baptisms, weddings and funerals were also depicted in floral art.
“We were astonished at how many visitors there were,” said event organiser Pam Gilbey.
“With something like a Flower Festival, you never know how many people are likely to come along, but they came in their droves, more than 650 of them.
“We loved arranging all the beautiful flowers, and it gives us great pleasure to work together on such a project.
“But we also wanted to encourage people to come inside and see the wonderful space which has been created here.
“It was fascinating to chat to everyone.
“Some people had never ever been inside the church, even though they have lived in Wokingham for a long time.
“Others had visited in the past but hadn’t seen how much things have changed since then.
“I think everyone was really amazed by the space and how light it is.
“This really is a place that will be enjoyed by the whole community.”
The flower festival, called Renovation and Restoration, took place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
For information about the church visit: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk
