Saint Mary's Parish Church, Ross-on-Wye hosted a beautiful flower show over the holiday weekend and on Friday evening I attended a preview to photograph the stunning floral displays. Some photographs appear below, along with a review by Barbara Henry. Many more can be seen as a Wyenot Television Slide Show - click here.

A Review of St. Mary's Flower Show by Barbara Henry

On Friday 25th August we attended a preview of the Flower Festival to be held over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Ross Parish Church. We were impressed by the colour, lavishness and sheer skill and professionalism of the flower arrangers, all of whom are local, either members of the church, or the flower arrangers club or florists in Ross. The Festival lasted for three days and on Saturday had accompanying 'Fun Stalls' a Grand Prize Draw and home made refreshments served in the Church Hall.

There were thirty three flower arrangement exhibits representing many countries in Europe, America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Asia including the oceans between. From Lapland to Egypt and from the UK to Japan and India the Anglican witness of Christ has spread to share the lives with joy and tears of all peoples around the world.

The arrangement depicting Canada replicated Niagara Falls with the famous boat Maid of the Mist sailing under a real waterfall appearing to cascade down the church window. The Arctic glaciers were represented by a wonderful, giant arrangement of white flowers spreading and moving across the front of the main alter. The Markye Chapel was given over to represent the tears and joys of Africa its wonderful colours and cultural history clearly seen. Some exhibits used national costume as a basis for colour. Every exhibit caught the eye and people took time musing and relishing every moment whilst the organ rang out its lovely music to warm the soul.

The theme this year was 'A World of Flowers' using the Compass Rose as a centre piece and alter frontal. The Compass Rose is the emblem of the Compass Rose Society set up to promote and help the Anglican Communion unite the world through compassion. The centre of the Compass Rose contains the cross of St George and is surrounded by the inscription in Greek 'The truth shall set you free'. The points of the compass reflect the spread of Anglican Christianity throughout the world. This original emblem is currently set in the nave of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Canterbury.

Together with the Compass Rose and to one side of the alter frontal in the font area another arrangement represented The Light of the World. Jesus spreads the light of understanding of God's love through water and light in Baptism.

Many families visited the Church during the Festival both from Ross and further afield including a family from Australia seeking to find their family roots.

Barbara Henry

Beth, pictured below, had great fun doing her arrangement. She had watched and helped Lindsay Ray and mum, Rachel Bushell create the Egypt exhibit above.

Rachel said, 'As I had never had a go at this sort of thing before, basically I hadn't a clue where to start. By the time we had finished and Lindsay felt we needed a green arrangement behind the pyramids, Beth had created one from the left over greenery. Iris Wheatly gave her two gladioli and it was perfect!

It is wonderful when children have the opportunity in be involved with special occasions with the church community, especially when the adults are so creative, inspiring and welcoming.'

The weather stayed fine during the afternoon of Sunday 20th August whilst twelve family groups took part in a Family Treasure Hunt. This was one of the many summer family events organized by in conjunction with Ross Heritage Centre, this time supported by Ross-in-Bloom to raise funds for Ross Pre-school Playgroup.

Everyone set off enthusiastically but it soon became clear this was not something that could be done at speed - a lot of thought was required. The quiz involved a series of riddles and questions, with participants needing to bring back treasure and collect stickers on the way, guided by strategically placed stewards.

'I had been approached by Iris Price to do a guided walk for the playgroup,' said Mary Powell. 'I thought it would be a nice idea to turn it into a walk families could take part in. The hunt was devised to enable those taking part to break a spell and children taking part had to find Ross, the hedgehog to make sure the spell was truly broken. Ross and his sister Apple had upset the Bad Fairy who lived on Chase Hill. She had cast a spell on them, causing Ross to disappear. The clues all led back to the Market House, where Ross had been hidden.

Everyone managed to find him and the spell was broken. He has now returned to Chase Hill to live happily ever after with his sister. The bad fairy disappeared herself once the spell was broken. She now lives at the bottom of a large well at Alton Court! Like all good fairy stories it had a truly happy ending.'

All participants could take their treasure home and all those who completed the quiz received a goody bag of items. Those receiving the highest marks all received a Ross Hedgehog as a prize.

Ross Playgroup are very grateful to everyone who participated in this event, including Neat and Cheap, The Friends Meeting House, Grandma Peggy's Sweet Shop and the Golden Crust Bakery who all provided treasure. They are also grateful to all the stewards, including the Quakers, who dressed appropriately for the occasion.

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