FLOWER FESTIVAL at ST MARY’S – HOME COUNTIES AREA of NAFAS
National Association of Flower Arranging Societies
Home Counties Area of NAFAS are delighted to have the opportunity to hold ‘Abundant Blessings’ an Area Flower Festival in the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Hitchin. This will give us the space to showcase our skills and talents and to make a focus for our members, friends and visitors to see our creations.
Home Counties Area of NAFAS has 31 Flower Clubs throughout Bedfordshire,, Hertfordshire and part of Essex. We promote the love of flower arranging by holding demonstrations, workshops, courses and staging Flower Festivals such as in this lovely Church, but also in our own local parish churches, wedding venues and even Westminster Abbey.
The designs in the Church will be staged by representatives from our Clubs and individuals from the area. We welcome members of St Mary’s to take part and we are very grateful for the cooperation with the volunteers from St Mary’s who have organised the publicity, catering, stewards and entertainment during the weekend.
We are part of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies and take part in National Shows, RHS shows including Chelsea Flower Show. We have many experienced arrangers who have won Gold medals and other awards.Our members enjoy the friendship and fun that comes from theier love of flowers and design.
Further details are available on our website
https://flowershomecounties.com/
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Abundant Blessings
20th to 22nd September 2024
Welcome to our biggest fundraising event of the decade!
St Mary’s has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to make our glorious Church fit for purpose for this century, to ensure that St Mary’s continues as a beacon of Christian hope for Hitchin and the surrounding area for years to come.
Your support for our 2024 Flower Festival is a key way you can give towards our new servery, toilets and heating project and make a difference in the Hitchin community.
Visitors to the Festival will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in over 40 floral arrangements, handcrafted by talented flower arrangers from the Home Counties Area of NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) and individuals from across the county, together with our own church flower arrangers.
Whether you are a keen gardener or simply appreciate the beauty of flowers, we are confident that you will find something to inspire and delight you.
The church will be open for viewings during the day on Friday and Saturday between 10-5pm and on Sunday 12-6pm, local talented musicians will be playing throughout the weekend. Tower tours will be available at designated times. Ploughman’s Lunch and cream teas will be available in church at a reasonable cost. Entry is £5 (children £2).
Thursday 19th September
A private viewing is taking place of all the floral exhibits on Thursday evening at 7.30pm before the event opens to the public. Kim Wilde will be opening our event sharing stories of her gardening experiences over the years. As a wonderful musical backdrop the Ashridge Ensemble will include a programme of Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, Bagatelles by Finzi and short pieces for violin and piano. This will be a delight for the ears!
At this ticketed event you will also be able to speak with flower arrangers and designers from around the region, discuss their inspiration, and learn from their experiences over bubbly and canapés. Tickets are £25. Pre book by email to Margaret (margaretkhinmaung@gmail.com) or you can buy online from via https://wegottickets.com/event/632033. Tickets are also available from Hitchin Information office in the churchyard.
Friday 20th September
A cheese and wine evening is being held in aid of the Philip Veale Children’s Centre in Malawi, a charity St Mary’s has supported for a number of years. The Children’s Centre was founded in 2010, in conjunction with the Aquaid Lifeline Fund to provide education, food and care to children and a home for orphans. Tickets are £15 to book ahead. Pre book by email to Lois (loisveale@hotmail.com).
Saturday 21st September
On Saturday evening at 7.30pm a concert by the Four Winds Saxophone Quartet who showcase a range of fantastic music from Bach to Beyoncé, via Beethoven, the Beatles and Brubeck! Four Winds showcase the expressive power and flexibility of the saxophone, infusing their trademark sense of fun! Kindly sponsored by Country Properties & The Letting Quarter. Tickets are £13 in advance, £15 on the door. You can find out more on their website https://www.wegottickets.com/StMarysChurchEventsHitchin
Sunday 22nd September
Make time in your diary to stop, to walk round and to engage.
– Please share details with your friends and family, through social media and through personal invitation.
\More Information is available by contacting Margaret (margaretkhinmaung@gmail.com) Anne (churchbags@gmail.com ) or Lois (loisveale@hotmail.com). If you wish to reserve tickets for either event, or to sponsor the underwriting costs, printed forms can be found at the back of the church.
How can you get involved? – Our events cannot take place without your continued support. Please consider how you can get involved – Sponsorship – We are still actively looking for a sponsor/s for this major event and would welcome conversation with Hitchin connected companies in particular. Please get in touch via any of the emails mentioned below in the first instance if you or your company can offer support.
https://www.wherecanwego.com/item/e1551441
ST MARY’S OPENING TIMES
Except when special services occur, we are open for all visitors from 9 am until dusk in winter or 5 pm in Summer. Morning prayer will be said at 9 am. on Mondays to Thursdays only
Please note: There may be no entry at these times where this coincides with weddings or funerals, maintenance, or any unforeseen events. If so, this will be indicated by signs outside the main doors. Do check with the Parish Office well ahead if you are making a special journey.
DROP US A LINE
We would love to meet you, why not pop along to one of our services, or get in touch.