A UNITED pledge to make the bells ring again from the village church is behind this year’s Upper Heyford Flower Festival.

The village near Bicester is pulling out all the stops to raise funds to strengthen the tower at St Mary’s Church by hosting the annual flower festival in aid of the project.

In the church’s current state the bells are unable to ring loudly, but villagers hope to make their own noise instead in raising funds to fix them.

Beautiful blooms will fill the venue, in Church Walk, all based on this year’s theme – ‘Memories of Childhood’.

Villagers are creating their own masterpiece displays bursting with creativity and colour, as well as a host of other plants that will be on sale.

Housebuilder Bovis Homes, currently developing homes in Upper Heyford, has gifted the project £250 to help stage the festival.

Bovis marketing manager Paul Bennison said: “We’re proud to have the opportunity to get involved in such a wonderful community event that is of huge benefit to Upper Heyford.

“This is another example of the village coming together to raise money for the St Mary’s Restoration Fund and we expect the Bank Holiday event to be very popular.”

The festival will take place on Sunday and Monday, May 5 and 6.

It will also include a number of other village activities for the occasion including the plant sale, cake stall and cream teas.

There will also be a service of thanksgiving conducted by Bishop of Dorchester Colin Fletcher on the Sunday from 5pm.

The flower festival itself will run from 2pm to 4.30pm on both days and entry will be £2 for adults.

Roger Burt, who sits on the festival committee, said the aim of the event was to bring the community together and raise funds to allow the village’s church bells to ring again.

He said: “Our show will feature village residents’ flower arrangements in the church and cream teas on the nearby village green.

“We will have beautiful flowers, vases and refreshments, for all ages to enjoy.

“We thank Bovis Homes for their kind donation and all proceeds will go towards restoring and strengthening the church’s bell tower, so residents can hear the bells once more.”

Al funds raised at the festival will go towards the project.