News Release - 16th June 2016
Brush up
your Shakespeare amidst floral displays, dancing, folk songs, choral music,
bell-ringers and an acoustic set!
Looking to spend an hour or two on the edge of the beautiful
English countryside among floral displays that will take your breath away, with
entertainment from a band, a folk singer, a stage school, bell-ringers, choral
music and a high school students’ acoustic set, plus the chance to indulge in
strawberries and cream, and salad lunches? Or to sit in the peace and quiet of
a country church? If so, look no further than Aldborough Hatch.
St. Peter’s Church in Aldborough Road North – near the Dick
Turpin on the edge of the green belt with farmland over the hedge – is staging
its thirty-sixth consecutive Flower Festival. This year’s theme celebrates the
400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.
Said the Revd Kate Lovesey, Priest-in-Charge: “The theme
gave our team of flower arrangers a real challenge – as the title of the
Festival suggests – to brush up their knowledge of the Bard’s plays and
sonnets. We trust our visitors will enjoy doing so too!
“After many years taking part – some for all 35! - a number
of Flower Festival stalwarts have decided to hang up their secateurs or to help
in a different area of the event. We thank them for their past services and
welcome new members of the team who will be soaking their oasis for the first
time.
“A warm welcome awaits visitors from across the
multi-cultural community – both within the Borough and from far afield. Please
join us to relax and soak up the pastoral atmosphere of Aldborough Hatch –
which has been described as the ‘Village in the Suburbs’.
“Our 153-year-old church, built from the stones of the first
Westminster Bridge, is a much-loved part of the local community. Do join us!”
On Saturday and Sunday
there is a Craft Market in the Church Halls and services and choral recitals by
choirs from local churches in Church. We welcome back friends who have
entertained us in the past – The Barnabas Band, 'Bells Aloud' Bellringers, The
Palmerstone Dancers and Bob Allder – with newcomers - an acoustic set by
students from Oaks Park High School and local singer-songwriter Naomi Hinds.
Refreshments are available on Saturday and Sunday – salad lunches and
strawberries and cream being especially popular. In the Craft Market a
qualified gemmologist will offer free jewellery valuations – so bring your
jewellery.
The Church and Craft Market are open on Saturday and Sunday 25th/26th
June from 10am to 5pm. The
Church remains open on Monday 27th from 10am to 6pm for visitors and
for children and staff from the William Torbitt School.
