KNITTED flower petals were among the attractions on show at the first ever Bondleigh Flower Festival last weekend.

The festival was organised to raise funds for a new kitchen project in the village parish church. Around £1,600 was raised over the three days of displays and events, with more than 200 visitors to the church.

The event was organised with support from Sampford Courtenay Flower Club.

Parishioners of St James the Great Church would like to install a kitchenette in the western end of the north aisle, to provide an area to offer refreshments after services, and for community needs. The church is the only public building in the village.

Villagers worked hard before the festival to knit more than 2,500 blue petals together to create an artistic scene of the Sea of Galilee to represent the fisherman and patron saint James the Greater.

The event was the second organised to raise funds for the church — the first was a village disco.

Picture by James Bird