THE annual flower festival at St Andrew's church in Stratton took place from Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26. The theme this year was 'Food In Faith' with 21 displays providing a memorable experience of sheer abundance and variety. The rich resonance and meaning attached to many foods was imaginatively explored through the skill and selection of plants and other items in the displays. The foods celebrated ranged from apples, honey, figs and spices to the humble onion. Leeks, now taken for granted, were shown to be renowned in ancient Egypt and longed for by the Israelites in the wilderness. In the partaking of food, the Bible instructs taking care, conserving and eating only what is necessary for sustaining life. This was brought out in Susanne Heckbert and Deirdre Varley's display in reference to the taking of eggs . . . 'thou shalt not take the dam with the young'. For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.