Two fine days, until 4.00pm Sunday, helped to make this year's Billingford Flower Festival an enjoyable event, even though the World Cup probably reduced attendance at the concert on Saturday evening.
The flower arrangements were variously described as original, imaginative and 'better than last year', which was better than the previous year. The theme was 'History in Bloom' and there were twenty three interpretations ranging from 'Moses in the Bulrushes' to 'The Discovery of Photosynthesis' and 'The Queen Mother'. Jane and Arthur Smith's 'Great Fire of London' was constantly praised. The church looked and smelled delightful, and there had been a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere during the setting up days.
We still couldn't do this without Gladys Dobbs, but she wants others to take it on, which we willingly do, but it's good to have her there with all the answers.
The John Gooding Jazzmen gave us what was referred to as a 'fab' entertainment, with much synchronised twitching and foot-tapping amongst the audience. Being in church possibly suppressed the urge to get up and dance.
Music was interspersed with short anecdotes and one-liners:- "I wanted to buy some camouflage trousers but I couldn't see any." Refreshments in the interval and the draw for a donated bottle of champagne along with neighbourly conversation and friends catching up with each other added to the happy atmosphere. The general consensus was that we should ask the 'Jazzmen' to come and perform again.
We are trying to encourage local people to exhibit or sell their own wares, as well as the usual village stalls. This year, as before, we had Chris Haywood's plants and Clive's honey to buy, and bee-keeping accoutrements to look at and talk about.
Melvin and Angela's bric-a-brac is always popular, as is Sue's tombola.
This year we had a great deal of interest in the cakes, especially Heather Caley's scones, Jenny Thorneley's chocolate cake and cheesy shortbread, and both ladies' lemon drizzle cakes, for which a recipe was copied and made available.
Oliver Sexton kindly donated eggs again, and a number of raffle prizes were also given.
On Sunday we provided bacon or cheese in home-made bread rolls. Last year we offered Ploughman's lunches, but we were short of three people, compared with last year, and even with Elaine from Elmham to help in the kitchen, we did not have the man-power to do so this year.
It was Kevin Eltringham, who sadly died last August, who persuaded us to resurrect Gladys' Flower Festival, and had been a major partner and benefactor in our efforts.
Jan Sexton, from Gressenhall, kindly conducted Songs of Praise on Sunday evening. Jane Smith had kindly agreed to play the organ for the service at short notice. This is no mean feat, as other local organists will appreciate. The departing congregation were able to enjoy remaining cakes from the day, with a cup of tea afterwards.
The total money raised, towards maintaining the fabric of the church, was in the region of £700, which will have to do, competing with recession and football!
Thanks to all the people who make donations of all kinds to the event, those that do the flower arrangements, those that help before and during the event, and those who come and spend their money. We hope the weekend provides a social event for the community as well as raising money.
Chris Davies
