VISTORS from around the county, Somerset and Cornwall were generous with praise when visiting the flower festival at the Church of St Andrew in South Tawton. The event was revived by a dedicated group of volunteers as a summer attraction for parishioners and visitors. The festival title, ?All Things Bright and Beautiful?, sparked the imagination of the volunteers, few of whom had any experience of such an event. But their interpretation of such guiding phrases as ?the cold winter winds and the warm summer sun,? or ?the poor man at his gate?, encouraged them to bring the countryside, its trees, implements and sometimes life-sized characters into flower-filled set-pieces. Visitors realised that by searching deep into foliage and flowers they discovered unexpected ?creatures? that added to the visually pleasing and mentally stimulating displays. The weekend celebration included a name the old country character competition that proved popular while the old chap?s bewhiskered puppet-face beamed down on his name providers. It was won by Times photographer James Bird, who selected the name Albyn. Second was Terry Porter with Gabriel. A barbecue on one day and refreshments at all times added to the event that raised more than £1,750 for church funds. The Rev Michael Thayer and his wife, Rosaleen, expressed thanks to Wendy Redstone and her team of volunteers who worked hard to achieve the success.
