Kings Langley flower festival draws to a close (From Watford Observer)

Kings Langley flower festival draws to a close

7:45pm Sunday 2nd November 2008 in

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More than 600 people defied the wet and windy weather to visit a Kings Langley church this weekend, during its annual flower festival.

All Saints Church, in Church Lane, was filled with 29 different arrangements that reflected this year's theme, Better Together.

Displays ranged from The Choir and Sun and Rain, to The Bells and Together With Christ.

Other contributions came from the church Sunday School, Kings Langley Primary School, Churches Together and the Friends of All Saints.

Aspects of teamwork were also shown in displays featuring the British Olympic team and The Two Ronnies.

In most cases, the colourful variety of flowers were displayed alongside bundles of sticks, rocks and pebbles, cloths and fabrics, and candles.

The festival was dedicated to the late Reverend Peter Stearn, a former vicar of All Saints from 1982 to 2008, who died in September after retiring in May.

The three day event, which opened on Friday and finished this afternoon, also marked the opening of All Saints' new vestry, which was recently refurbished at a cost of £60,000.

Patricia Sleat, the festival organiser, said this year's theme was chosen to demonstrate how members of the church work together.

She said: “It's gone quite well but I think the weather didn't help. It's been quite cold and wet.

“We're very pleased. We've got a new vestry and a lot of people have been interested to see that.”

Visitors could also climb the narrow spiral staircase to the bell ringing chamber and ascend further still to enter the tower where the bells are kept.

Monica Osborn, a church administrator and churchwarden, revealed the planning for next year's festival will start in earnest within the next few weeks.

She said: “It's very much a village and community event. It brings people from the whole village in, not just church people. Better Together spells out what it's all about.”

The Friends of All Saints Church will host a quiz night at 8pm on Friday, at the Community Centre, The Nap.