St Peter's Church in South Hanningfield, Essex, is set to transform into a vibrant tribute to cinema's biggest blockbusters as its annual Flower Festival returns from Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7. This year's theme, 'The Silver Screen', will see the historic church, which dates back to the 1100s, filled with colourful and imaginative floral creations crafted by organiser Sylvia Roberts and her team.
The festival is not only the church's largest fundraising event of the year but also the biggest annual event in South Hanningfield. Visitors can expect 20 hand-made displays depicting iconic movies, alongside a traditional fete in the church grounds featuring stalls, exhibits, food, and drinks. The event is free to enter, with donations, fete proceeds, and sponsorship generating vital funds for church maintenance.
A Cinematic Feast of Floral Art
Sylvia Roberts, from Wickford, has been involved with the flower festival for 30 years, with 15 of those as organiser. She shared her excitement about this year's displays: "We've got a great variety," she said. "I'm going to be doing Gone With the Wind and Breakfast at Tiffany's."
Other films portrayed in the displays include Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Sylvia praised her dedicated team: "I've got a fantastic team of ladies working on their displays and we all love it. We all work in harmony."
Preparation for the displays is a labour of love. Sylvia revealed, "I've been working on mine since February or March. One of the iconic scenes in Gone With the Wind is the great fire of Atlanta. I've made warehouses and buildings and been out in the garden to singe them!"
Fundraising for Church Maintenance
Last year's festival raised £7,000, which goes towards essential upkeep of the ancient building. Sylvia highlighted the ongoing needs: "These old churches don't just stand there forever, they need some sort of maintenance. We've had woodpeckers in the spire which has caused a lot of damage, and we're also having a kitchen put in."
The festival schedule includes: Saturday, September 5, from noon to 5pm, with the fete; Sunday, September 6, from noon to 5pm, featuring the fete and a 5pm Songs of Praise service; and Monday, September 7, from 11am to 3pm. Free car parking is available for all visitors.
