St Mary’s Church Long Sutton flower festival sees community pulling together raising funds to save church spire in need of £50k worth of repairs
The ‘swinging 60s’ have been brought to life at a flower festival which will raise funds to repair the oldest and tallest wooden church spire in Europe.
Volunteers at St Mary’s Church in Long Sutton, which has suffered with woodworm, have created designs celebrating the era including The Beatles, Mods and Rockers, Carnaby Street, iconic Woodstock festival of1969 and Spiderman.
Spiders have helped deal with the impact of wood boring insects naturally, but the upper level of the spire has been deemed unsafe and structural repairs are being planned to take place in the next couple of months which could cost £50,000.
Fr Jonathan Sibley blessed the official opening of the festival and parishioners are putting all their efforts into helping raise essential funds with raffles, prize draws, books with some 45 arrangers and volunteers involved.
He thanked those who have contributed including Jackie Batchelor and her team: Judy Cunnington, Sue Biggadyke, Sheila Amos, Janet Neaverson, Annette Wilkinson, Karen Barton.
Lizzie Munson, from The Rose Press Garden, and volunteer Gaby Jeffs helped with the organisation.
Mrs Munson said: “The festival is important from a community perspective in raising money for the spire.
“It is about everyone coming together.”
Youngsters from Cinder Ash nursery decorated a Spiderman themed display whilst others depicted Tiffany and Co, photographer David Bailey and the Moon landings.
Jo Birdseye, Chris Hayward and Susan Benfell and their team of volunteers are providing refreshments in the church hall with a delicious selection of cakes to choose from.
They alsorun a regular Friday coffee morning and the proceeds will help towards the spire fund.
Jo Birdseye said: “The church is an important landmark in the community.”
“Whatever your religion might be, this is about people coming together.”
Flower arranging sisters Ruth and Janet have been involved with the festival for 60 years and attend the event annually.
Sunflower Spalding Ltd supplied the flowers to the festival which runs until Tuesday, May 7 daily from 10am - 7pm and entry is free.
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