ENTERING by the south porch of St Andrew’s Church, Stratton visitors were reminded by Rosalie Wilkinson’s daughter’s display of Stratton’s proud history at the recent flower festival.

The festival ran from Friday, May 26, to Monday, May 29.

Stratton is known for being the centre of justice and a place steeped in upholding both civil and criminal law. The old ‘clink’ door and other memorials and historical artefacts have been welcomed and cherished within the much-loved walls of St Andrew’s.

The flower festival celebration ‘Faces and Places’ created a wonderful opportunity to recall all those who have woven together the unique human strands of the community Stratton itself.

The displays ranged from the profound and serious, to warm memories of games played or celebrations getting over enthusiastic and having to be slept off in local barns — a fate which overcame the much loved postman Markie Peardon following ‘thanks’ for his dedication in making deliveries, even on Christmas day.

A constant theme in the displays was links to the natural world.

Stratton made the most of its abundance of garlic and Sikira Blight-Bevan chose this as her theme for a display by the lecturn.

In the Lady Chapel, a celebration of the dedication and generosity of the King family, serving as doctors to the community and of Dr John King in particular, for founding the Cottage Hospital.

The tribute of Audrey Aylmer and Rose Mcintosh on behalf of the Old Cornwall Society linked this to all the herbs and plants used for the cure of ills, pains and diseases. Val and Becca Barker evoked memories of another well-loved plant, offered by the ‘Lavender Girl’ at the combined churches’ fete of 1990.

Outings and games were celebrated, from the Sunday School treats to the footballing ‘Stratton Mice’ versus the ‘Bude Mules’, whose rough encounters at Hillhead were featured in an arrangement by Jen Hopgood.

The contributions to the beauty of the building made by the wood carver Violet Pinwill, was the subject of homage in flowers and carpentry tools, cleverly woven into a design by Cate Haggas.

The continuity, depth and complexity of local history were featured in a display dedicated to the succession of priests who have served the community for at least 720 years.

Their saying of the daily office and administering communion in this particular space was brought into focus by Lyzette Bevan’s thought provoking reminder.

People of Stratton who gave their lives in wars were remembered as well as those who willingly gave faithful service to the community in their daily lives.

St Andrew’s Chapel was turned into a place of quiet memory and contemplation by Sheila Waring entitled ‘Those We Have Loved’.

Before departing, visitors were warmly welcomed to the ‘Kiddlywinks Café’ — a reminder in the name that the history of smuggling in the area did not go completely unnoticed by the people of Stratton.

Leaving by the church path brought a reminder of the ingenious display called ‘Paving the Way’ by Ellen Hall.

Construction and repair have been central to the life of St Andrew’s from the time the first stone was laid. Quoted with the display was the advice from Jeremiah 16 ‘Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’

The combined efforts of all the people involved in the planning and creation of the festival once again showed the truth of the poem by Joan Heard, printed in the festival booklet, ‘St Andrew’s bells ring clear/For this is where the heart is,/Come storm or balmy weather,/Lies all that we hold dear’.