400 visit festival

HEATHFIELD Chapel held a successful first flower festival at the weekend under the title Faith in Flowers.

The nineteen displays illustrated bible verses, hymns, and key parts of the Christian faith, the Nativity, the Cross and the Resurrection etc.

The festival was organised by Audrey Milton and members of the chapel, with assistance from local flower arrangers.

Punnetts Town Community Primary School provided the first display to be seen on the chapel path, which was lined with shoes filled with flowers, to illustrate the song "One More Step Along The World We Go", and the windmill at the porch entrance. Local children drew and painted pictures which were on display in the hall.

Morning coffee and afternoon cream teas were served, to refresh the visitors, which were estimated at over 400, apart from the concert and services.

On Friday evening a local group of singers, the Weald Singers, gave a concert in the chapel. About 100 people enjoyed a varied programme of Guider songs, spiritual songs and popular tunes by the choir of Guiders and former Guiders, who sing at charity events in the area.

The weekend concluded with a family service on Sunday Morning and a Songs Of Praise service in the evening, both led by Robin Jones.

One of the chapel deacons, Jonathan Austin, said: "This was our first flower festival, and we are very encouraged by the steady stream of visitors, who so very generously donated a magnificent total of 1,300 to the work of the James House Hospice. We would like to thank all our visitors, and all those who helped to run the festival". All the proceeds will go to James House, as the displays were sponsored by individuals, in memory of loved ones.