St Mary’s Parish Church, whose tower dominates the landscape as one comes into Rye from the Marshes, has a thriving Flower Guild, led by Sheila Tudor-Cowne , who organised this year’s flower festival, held on Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28, with the help of Shelley Jebb.
Sponsored by Rye Town Council, Jempson’s of Peasmarsh and St Anthony of Padua Church, the theme was “In Which We Serve”. In line with this, voluntary organisations were asked to contribute floral displays, making reference to how they served the local community. There were 28 exhibitors, so only a taster can be given here, including the Flower Guild itself, which had contributed a very interesting piece in the programme as well, describing the four colours used in church, white or gold, purple, red and green, and their symbolism. There was a display of the special clothing, robes and vestments in use during church services, in front of the altar.
Catering was undertaken by Sussex Coast College Catering Department 3rd-year students who were completing their Patisserie course, and made the savoury and sweet items for the refreshments in the Clare Chapel.
Moving on to the arrangements, at the entrance was a stunning display of white lilies and purple alliums with cow parsley , by St Mary’s bell ringers to celebrate the 200th anniversary of “three bells and a sance belle” in St Laurence, Appleton Church Tower, (near Abingdon, OX13 5JS,) Society of Change Ringers.
The church is grand, so the arrangements needed to be big to fill the space, as indeed they were.The more formal nature of the displays was very fitting for this large space. Using flowers, seed heads, wild and cultivated material, the Mother’s Union, the Trefoil Guild (a branch of girlguiding) and FROLICS (Friends Raising Oodles of Lolly in Good Company) had their displays around the great stone pillars supporting the church, and Rye Food Bank had matching arrangements framing a basket of bread, on one of the window sills at the side. Family Support Work had bright gerberas and ribbons.
Rye Museum had a particularly arresting story of two small sisters and their wartime story in the First World War, the full tale to be found on the Museum website. The WI had a floral cake and a tea table set out with the slogan “Inspiring Women” which was favourably commented upon by the visitors. Even the local acting group “Acting Up In Rye” had a purple and red arrangement, complemented by a purple and black dress on a mannequin to tell the story.
The programme gave information about each organisation, but no flower arrangers were identified, one supposes because this was a communal effort organised and coordinated by Sheila. Congratulations to all involved for such a lovely festival.
Photos Gillian Roder