A BLOOMING display of flowers ranging from roses to hydrangeas have brightened an Oxfordshire church as it celebrates its 900th anniversary.
St Mary the Virgin Church in Shipton-under-Wychwood is marking the milestone with a series of events, including a Flower Festival last weekend.
But the thousands of pounds worth of flowers at the Church Street church will still be around this weekend, allowing people to fit in a final look at the multicoloured display.
Flower arrangers at the church festival worked alongside weekend resident and top florist Paul Thomas, who has worked for the Ritz and on royal events such as Prince Charles and Camilla’s wedding reception.
In charge of flowers at St Mary’s church is Pat Bannister, who has also worked with the church for over 20 years.
She said: “We have had a fantastic reaction to the flower festival, so many people picked it up from all over the county.
“Most of the immediate reaction was ‘wow’. I heard wow so many times. All the flowers arrangements highlighted different areas of history at the church. Paul’s arrangement was a fabulous sight.”
Mr Thomas stole the show – to the delight of over 600 visitors – with a masterpiece flower arrangement that stretched around 50ft wide and 9ft high.
Dominating the halls of the church and filling the air with a floral fragrance through the air are a rainbow of blooms, including orange roses, purple pansies, yellow lilies and pink peonies.
Fellow flower-arranger Anne Hilling said: “The displays by Paul are monumental in scale. They are the highest quality and largest displays that have ever been displayed in the church.
“Every colour has been chosen by Paul to complement the stained glass windows.
“He has been incredibly generous by sourcing the flowers from his suppliers for the multi thousand pound displays. It was a real privilege for the ladies to work with Paul.”
Although officially the flower festival was held last weekend, the displays will remain in the church throughout over today and tomorrow.
The festival was just one of a programme of events planned for the church this year to celebrate the 900th anniversary.
Next up will be the church’s Literacy Festival on Saturday, June 6, with readings from historian and politician Lord Hurd of Westwell, former journalist and historian John Gittings and Director of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Reverend Dr Michael Lloyd.
The event will start with coffee at 9.30am with the first speaker at 10.15am. Tickets cost £20.
Later in the year, events include a 1940s themed lunch with croquet and music, a sponsored Ride and Stride between churches and The Peoples Feast, with food and entertainment in the yard and vicarage garden.
* For more information visit wychwoodbenefice.org.uk/whats-on
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