THE visitor, walking into St Andrew’s Church flower festival, was introduced to the theme by the verse from the Book of Revelations Ch 1:8, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord, who is and was and who is to come, the sovereign Lord of all.’

Every manifestation of sacred and secular life, whether it begins as minute as a mustard seed which after sprouting goes on to form abundant growth, or a passing thought or idea in the mind that, refined into a vision, becomes a charitable movement bringing ongoing support and help, or simply a sparked interest, which developed into a passion, through endless practice, becomes a skill of great expertise. All of these begin, grow and have their fulfilment in the spirit of love; ‘the first and the last, the beginning and the end’.

The font, in its new position in the church, was transformed to interpret Jesus claim: ‘I am the Water of Life’. Shirley Walter, Margaret Hooper and Rosalyn Millar used an abundance of tiny ‘bubbles’ of Lily of the Valley, and cascades of falling grass, which caught in the afternoon’s golden light, resembled shimmering falling water. Jesus’ re-assurance, ‘I am the Bread of Life’ was displayed on one of the South windows. This showed how physical and spiritual nourishment combine with one another to sustain us. The altar was transformed by Lyzette Bevan with flowers and gold cloth into the burning bush out of which God spoke to Moses saying, ‘I AM who I AM ; the central theme of this festival. A towering and shape-shifting arrangement in white by Rosalie Wilkinson transformed the Lectern Pillar with an interpretation of ‘I am not of this world’. Looked at closely, then from afar, its subtle design invited the visitor’s imagination to perceive their own interpretations. Further displays by Christine Willey and Sheila Waring skilfully demonstrated Jesus’ words, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ and ‘I am the Light of the World’.

Other manifestations of the life of the spirit such as, ’I am the Summer Time’ was brought to life by Beryl Kendrick, based on a poem by Gary Ferris. The vital life-enhancing role of special individual relationships was the theme of Jen Hopgood’s arrangement, ‘I am Grandma’. Sikira Blight-Bevan used the full space of St Andrew’s Chapel to show how, by following the advice of the French chef Jacques Pepin, she was determined to acquire similar high level skills, by a commitment to endless repetitions and practice.

A thoughtful dedication to the work of the Bude Street Pastors was the display offered by Suzanne Heckbert and Deirdre Varley. Cans of lager nestled inside the foliage and flowers around the pillar, reminding everyone that innocent celebrations can turn anti-social, but practical help is on hand to understand and support those who need it. Becca and Val Barker took the colours green, white and violet to celebrate the hundred-year commemoration of the success of the Suffragette Movement in gaining votes for women in 1918. The members of the Old Cornwall Society brought a fascinating array of traditional corn clusters used for hundreds of years to celebrate abundance and express gratitude for the harvest. Stratton Primary School pupils chose to celebrate the heroism of the people in the crews of the RNLI. Adventure was the topic of Anne Day and Jayne Peeke in their informative display on the theme of the Ten Tors Dartmoor Challenge. Janet Ward joined from St Marwenne’s with a fascinating display depicting the hymn, ‘Just As I Am’, the local branch of the Mother’s Union walked in Mary Sumner’s footsteps and Kim Gouldson showed off the skills of the Crafter. There were other supporting arrangements, with each and every display adding another aspect to the theme that we are all enriched by being given space and permission to flourish, since there are so many ways in which the spirit chooses to be manifested in this world.

Delicious food was again available throughout the festival at ‘Lyzette’s Tea Room’, and a very warm welcome was given by many volunteers to all the visitors throughout the weekend. So many people gave generously of their time, including fundraising and advertising, in order to celebrate the abundance and rich experience which awaits all those who trust and live fully in the spirit of love and truth. This successful and joyful festival would never have taken place without the dedicated planning and organisation so generously undertaken by so many willing volunteers.