Books blossom in floral East Preston spectacular

Val Adams (left) and Sue Seath with their floral Wind in the Willows scene L23728H13

CHILDREN’S books opened up a treasure trove of creativity at the festival Art and Flowers Exhibition, organised by East Preston Floral Club.

Members produced evocative displays capturing the imagination and innocence reflected in literature from childhood.

They included a superb depiction of The Wind in the Willows on the stage at the Conservative Hall, by Val Adams and club chairman Sue Seath.

Toad and Mole were rowing across a lake in their boat, with Badger and the flamboyantly-dresed Toad on the bank, brandishing a cigar and wine glass.

Pamela Parr’s arrangement for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was accompanied by a fine painting of a lion. Other books featured included Treasure Island, Peter Pan, The Railway Children, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and The Wizard of Oz.

About 60 artists contributed 160 paintings and a further 150 unframed, the subjects ranging from animals and still life, to landscapes and seascapes close to home and further afield and, of course, flowers.

Yesterday (Sunday, June 9), saw the festival draw to a close.

For full details of the final bout of activities at this year’s celebration, see Thursday’s Gazette (June 13).