On the very first day of this year’s Flower Festival at St Andrews Church, celebrating Kings and Queens of all kinds, Mr Jonathan Ball, a long-time resident of Stratton, known for his deep, abiding love of this part of England, came and stayed for some time absorbing the atmosphere of this magnificent old building lovingly and skilfully prepared to welcome friends from far and wide. To our delight, a short time later he returned, bringing a heartfelt written response to his visit, deepened as it was by his passion and knowledge of local history and the landscape. To our delight, he has agreed that we can share this with you. Jonathan wrote this piece to be a part of ‘The Great Atlantic Way Spirit of Places Series.’

The flowers have come to Stratton, not with trumpet nor with fanfare, but gently, as the spring arrives……on the breath of the west wind, in the hush of dew on petal and grass, in the quiet work of parish hands, shaping beauty from bloom and bough.

Beneath the sandstone tower of St Andrew’s, where the bells have tolled the centuries of prayer and praise, this day the ‘Queens ‘ with draped bell pull salutes our bells, Stratton’s heartbeat now in yellow rose profusion 1-3-5-7-4-6-8 spilling across ancient stone ; what once rang out in battle or lament now rising in celebration.

This festival of petals, posies and presence, held in the embrace of our church in our fine town of Stratton …..older than the Conqueror, featuring in the will of Alfred the Great, and steadfast ever since.

Here, among these aisles and arches, a thousand years of loyalty breathe beneath the blooms. The Battle of Stamford Hill stirs faintly in the dust and the light, when Stratton stood for crown and cause in 1643, and the Royal standard flew high over Cornish hedge and hill. This spirit lingers not in strife, but in steadfastness , now garlanded in lilies and foxgloves, in tulips and laurel and roses of England.

This year, the festival blooms with royal grace: A Royal Occasion. From Highgrove to Heaven, from the King’s garden to Christ the King, each display is a pageant of petal and purpose. Through the East Window sunlight catches the Burne-Jones window…his angels and saints robed in William Morris design…and there, amidst all, the golden crown of Christ the King, reigning not with sceptre or sword, but with the quiet majesty of love and sacrifice.

These flowers are not mere adornment, they are our thanksgiving for the blessings of a green land, for peace in troubled times, for neighbours known by name, for the sound of bells and hymns in the same afternoon air. In a world that trembles, here is something enduring: the timeless ritual of beauty offered up, simply, reverently, joyfully, making today’s memories.

Stratton is more than place, St Andrew’s is our town’s memory palace….. a woven tapestry of the lives and loves, tears and triumphs, that have filled these pews and paths since before the Domesday Book was dreamt of. And now, in May 2025, we add our own bloom to the centuries.

Come then, and walk the aisles. See the tulips, genuflect to the stained glass, King Midas nods beside the prayer desk, carnations unfold beneath the gaze of Christ the King. Let each flower be a psalm, each scent a blessing, each moment a renewal.

Here, in this Cornish church and churchyard just beyond where the Tamar defines the outer edge of England, we remember what it means to belong…..not only to history…..but to one another. And may the flowers, like the faith that roots them, return again and again, as sure as the spring, and as constant as the Cornish Atlantic sea …not forgotten and celebrated by the Friends of Stratton Hospital offering of , ‘The Kings and Queens of the Maritime World’…

Jonathan Ball MBE AADip RIBA FRSA Hon FRIAS

Without the dedication and skill of the organiser Sheila Waring and all the flower arrangers who demonstrated such skill, imagination and humour in their work, the event could not have taken place. Thanks are due to everyone who contributed in so many ways to make the festival such a success. A moment that was to inspire such a wonderful description by Jonathan, reminding us of the gift that natural beauty offers as a doorway into a deeper perception of time. That beauty, in partnership with the central role of an old church, in holding the community’s creativity and memories, is then able to give us that sense of partnership between those who are living, those who are dead, and those yet to be born.

The Coffee and Cake morning held on April 11 in the Parish Hall was once again well attended. £155 was raised by donations which has been sent to Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society. Thank you to all who supported this event.

On Sunday, May 25, a Songs of Praise held at St Pancras Church was well attended. Rev. Alison Hardy led the worship, the hymns were chosen by each Church in the benefice, Holsworthy, Bridgerule, Pyworthy, Hollacome and Pancrasweek and Alison (Rector).

Lessons were read by Mary Aicheler and Mandy Vanstone. Prayers of Intercession were said by Adam Revitt Church Warden. The organist was Barbara Cole. Refreshments were served at the end of the service.

A great afternoon celebrating VE Day on May 8.

Juan and Lorraine from The Bencoolen Inn, Bude, hosted a great afternoon with a party organised by North Cornwall and Bude RMA (not as previously reported).

Ration books were given out for fish n chips, scones with jam and cream and a war time recipe cake, even with a bag of war time sweets.

A raffle and auction took place with a themed hamper donated by Morrisons along with several prizes.

A sing a long with Mark Rosser leading the way was well enjoyed.

Monies raised for the Royal Marines Association was over £500.

The service on Sunday, May 18, was led by Lorna Bowden of Clawton with the theme being 'Love'.

Colin Tape was the organist for the hymns.

The lesson was read by Freda Olde and the Merrytones Praise Group sang 'Love changes everything'.

The monthly Luncheon for May was held at the Chapel on Wednesday, May 21. Rev Meg Slingo said Grace.

Beef casserole with a vegetarian option was prepared by Rob and Dawn Leighfield. Delicious desserts were given by members of the Chapel and were followed by Teas and Coffees.

Thank you to Rob and Dawn and the team for preparing, serving and washing up afterwards and to the over forty people who attended and enjoyed the meal.

Profits were for Chapel funds and 'AdSurf'.

The service on Rogation Sunday was led by John Cleave.

The lessons were read by Janet Ash and Celia Cleave and the prayers of intercession were led by Jennifer Vanstone.

Freda Olde read another of the late Elizabeth Oke of Gooseham's poems. This one was entitled 'My memories of Gooseham Mill and the Valley'. Lizzie was born at Gooseham Mill and moved up the hill to Gooseham upon her marriage. She passed away in 1960 and although she spent a great portion of her life disabled and house-bound, she wrote hundreds of poems and she lives on in Morwenstow with her poems regularly read at the Chapel by Freda. Ken Boundy gave us a very interesting talk on Rogation-tide, how the 'Beating of the Bounds' was always held around this time of the year and this continued regularly, with two in the congregation remembering taking part in the walking of the parish boundaries during the time of the late John Davy being Headmaster at St Mark's C of E Primary School. We recalled seeing the boundary stones between Morwenstow and Bradworthy at Newlands and between Morwenstow and Kilkhampton at Milton Haven. Sadly vandals threw the boundary stone which was at the River Tamar Bridge beneath Youlstone into the river many years ago and it smashed up and washed away. The boundary stone between Morwenstow and Welcombe Parish, up from Marsland Mouth is marked on a map, but has not been found by locals who have searched for it. This reminded us that we are to be encouraged, our God is the God of another chance. His love has no limits, no boundaries, no expiration dates, there is a place for everyone in God's kingdom and His love endures forever. Ken also spoke about seed-time and harvest and how it was all carried out years ago, together with many other memories of farming in years gone past. We are all called to be stewards of the land and Ken's talk reminded us how important it is for us to care for our environment and the World which God created for us. The service was followed by coffee and a chance to chat in The Wesley Room.