Locals and visitors alike had a wonderful time at the 57th Appledore Flower Festival which took place over the bank holiday weekend at the church of St Peter and St Paul.
This year’s festival had the theme of “Curtain Up” with each floral creation representing a famous musical. There were 32 arrangers who showed craft, creativity and wit in representing their chosen blockbuster. Old classics such as “Singing In The Rain”, “The Wizard of Oz” and “My Fair Lady” were represented alongside more modern shows such as “The Lion King” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
“Starlight Express”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Chicago” took the stage alongside “Hair” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” in a dazzling array of technical flower arranging adorned with a range of clever props. As My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle might have put it, the show was “bloomin’ marvellous”.
Festival organiser Donna Clifton was delighted that there were visitors from as far away as London, Rochester and Chatham as well as folk from Appledore and the surrounding area. The smooth running of the event was a great testament to the army of almost 100 volunteers who each contributed to the festival’s success, whether acting as guides, manning the stalls and shops, serving tea or selling lavender bags and posies, all to raise money for the church.
The 58th festival will take place over 2020’s August bank holiday so put a note in your diary now and look forward to what will no doubt be another terrific display of floral ingenuity.
Image Credits: Tony McLaughlin .