A NORREYS church will be filled with flowers next weekend.
All Saints Church’s Flower Festiveal will tell the story of the church, its people and its organisations.
And it celebrates the group’s recently opened community venue, SpaceForAll.
All are welcome to the free display, which will boast 13 major floral artworks.
Each one will focus on a different aspect of the church’s life, telling stories in what the organisers say will be innovative and clever ways.
“We are all so excited about our new space, and felt that a floral exhibition to welcome people into the church would be a great way of celebrating the changes,” said organiser Pam Gilbey.
“It’s wonderfully different inside now.
“The pews used to be very dark, but now All Saints is a bright, welcoming and flexible space.
“The flower festival will show it off at its best.”
Displays will represent various groups connected with the new space, including its contractors, masons, and tilers.
Others will describe the Vestry Guild, who look after the robes and linen, the Flower Guild, Mothers Union, music groups, and churchyard working parties.
Special services through the year will also be represented, including for the Scouting Organisation, the Civic Service, Remembrance Day, Advent, Christmas, Easter and Harvest.
And baptisms, weddings and funerals will all be demonstrated too.
Each floral arranger can interpret their theme using a variety of colours, textures and extras.
“For example, Kate Thomas of Funky Flowers, who has been very supportive of the festival, may well be incorporating something in her display to represent scaffolding poles,” said Ms Gilbey.
“And in my churchyard exhibit, I will be celebrating the work of our Community Payback Team, with a bright orange and yellow display to illustrate their high vis jackets, and something to suggest strimmer cable.”
All the floral art creations can be enjoyed just as they are, but for those who want to know more about the inspiration behind each of them, a programme with explanations and insights will be available for £3.
“We really hope that this exhibition will bring the whole church together, and we’re very excited to welcome everyone in to see the new community space,” continued Ms Gilbey.
“During the construction work, people kept asking me what was going on.
“Now they can come inside and see for themselves the wonderful alterations.”
All Saints Church reopened in June, after extensive renovation and restoration work to transform it into a community café and arts venue, as well as a place of worship.
Visitors to the event will be able to see the changes that have taken place inside the historic building.
The flower festival, which the church has called Renovation and Restoration, will take place in the church on Wiltshire Road, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday October 13, 14, and 15.
Doors will open on Friday and Saturday from 10am until 5pm, and on Sunday from noon until 5pm.
Entrance is free of charge, and tea and coffee will be available.
The church will gratefully accept any donations that people might like to make.
For information about the church visit: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk
