Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, St Laurence, Ansley will be hosting their 60th and final flower festival.
The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Titles’. This theme goes back to the festival’s origins, where it was the importance of giving each display a title that made Ansley’s Flower Festivals very different to so many others.
For sixty years the flower festival has been a highlight of the church calendar. However, this year will be the last for a few reasons including the rising prices of flowers and the carbon footprint cost of having to purchase flowers as less people grow them in their gardens. The church feel that the time is right to end the festival to make space for something new.
So, this year will be the last chance to attend the festival. The schedule for the weekend is:
Saturday 24th August - church open 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Sunday 25th August -10.30 am Holy Communion, church open 12.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
Monday 26th August - church open 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, 5.30 pm Thanksgiving Service
During these times there will be refreshments available in the annexe, which, if the weather is kind, can be enjoyed in the churchyard with views of the countryside. On Monday afternoon Ansley Morris will be dancing.
During the festival there will be an opportunity to lay a stone on a pile to leave your burdens, put a flower in an arrangement as a thanksgiving, or place a prayer in the Prayer Jar. These prayers will be brought to God before the end of the festival.
After the event any flowers in good condition will be given to those recently bereaved or are ill who live in the parish. The festival will be supporting the Nuneaton Hospital League of Friends and the Acorns Children’s Hospice as well as raising money for church funds. Entrance will be free, but the church encourages donations.
You can read about last year’s festival here.