A POEM inspired the theme of this year’s Launcells flower festival, bringing God’s Glorious Garden to light.

The poem, God’s Garden, by Frances Gurney, created the God’s Glorious Garden theme for this year’s flower festival in Launcells, when, on July 12, 25 people arrived in cars laden with flowers, plants, bunches of various greenery, planters, oasis, scissors, bits of wood and string — and more!

By the end of the day, the church had been transformed into the most colourful indoor garden ever.

The windows were bursting with colour as the sunlight poured through the clear leaded glass, and bounced off the centre pillars, which had been covered with large floral displays. The final touch was the floral arch at the entrance door, created by Helen Barnes, the festival leader.

During the day, everyone was fed and watered by Dee Wynne–Morter, with sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee.

By 10am on the first day of the festival, young apple trees and potted plants were added to the porch entrance to complete the picture. Also, by then, the kitchen staff and food baked by volunteers had arrived, and all was set for the 2017 Inside Garden at St Swithin’s, which ended with a Sunday evening Songs of Praise, led by Father David Barnes.

A spokesperson for the festival said: “Our thanks must go to all those who have taken part in planning and organising this event; thanks to Dee and Rose in the kitchen, all those who made gorgeous cakes and savouries, and the volunteers who took on the role of waitress, and washer up.

“We also need to thank the organists from the surrounding churches and chapels for providing music throughout the festival, and of course all the flowers and plants supplied by the flower arrangers, for their time, imagination and commitment in creating the Inside Garden at St Swithin’s, Launcells.”