Friends of St Andrew's

The Parish Church of St Andrew, Stratton, Cornwall

Our aim: To help preserve and maintain the building and churchyard for future generations


St Andrew’s Flower Festival - May 2013

Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May

This year’s theme is:  “God’s Acre” - a celebration of Churchyard Eulogies

A picture from the 2012 Flower Festival when the theme was “A moment
to give thanks”

There is an ancient Saxon phrase which calls the churchyard or burial ground God’s Acre and it is part of the evocative poem God’s Acre by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

For several years now a small band of parishioners have transcribed the wording on memorial tablets and tombstones in the church building itself and those in the churchyard. This information has been printed and made into books and CDs and they are currently available for sale.

There are so many wonderful eulogies and interesting wording on these memorials that it gave rise to the idea of using some of them as a basis for a Flower Festival. The subject will allow great scope for ideas and displays.

Refreshments, including morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon cream teas, will be available every day. We try to make sure that everything we offer, as far as possible, is homemade.

The success of the festival depends not only on the floral displays and stalls but also on the generosity of many sponsors and the skill and willingness of lots of flower arrangers. There is a strong feeling of community in Stratton and people are keen to help and support local activities. Although it is hard work, it is also fun and inclusive – there is a job for everyone whether or not you are clever at putting flowers into a block of oasis.

Most importantly though, we need people to visit the Flower Festival to enjoy all that it has to offer including the glorious church building, its ambience and the welcome and fellowship to be found there. So, tell all your friends and relations about it and get them to come and enjoy.

All proceeds are for St. Andrew’s Church and as this is one of our major fundraising activities we hope lots of people will come to see us.

The Festival is held over four days - from Friday May 24 to Monday May 27 inclusive.

Entrance is free.

Opening times: 10 am to 6 pm each day except from 11 am on Sunday, opening after the Parish Mass at 9.30 am, and closing at 5 pm.

Everyone is more than welcome to join us for the morning service.