| Crediton exhibition resounding success
Anita Eastman adds a final touch to her arrangement for Pomp and Circumstance, about the Last Night at the Proms. THE ANNUAL Exhibition with Flowers at Crediton parish Church has once again been a resounding success, starting with a 20-minute peal of bells, a weekend blessed with sunshine and what could be one of the biggest attendances ever.
Harps made by David Nunn and floral displays by his wife, Mary, welcomed visitors to Crediton Parish Church. Visitors from all over the West Country, and even from
Australia, attended.
Organisers of the Exhibition with Flowers. All the exhibits attracted enormous interest, from the welcoming harps outside the church decorated with gorgeous pink lilies, anthuriums and liatris to the superb "Shine, Jesus, Shine" comprised of candles and white lilies.
Sue Tremeer with one of her spectacular displays in the Governors stalls. Particularly popular was the imaginatively staged "Singing in the Rain" with its lovely blue and white floral cascade and silver bead raindrops which sparkled in the sunlight - and also the stunning depiction of Stravinsky's ballet "the Firebird" with its strelitzias, and "tutu" of calla lilies and crimson shaggy gerberas.
Margaret Jewell at work on her display, In Quires and Places where they sing, in Crediton Parish Church. "Firebird" was performed in 1954 by the Sadlers Wells Ballet, the forerunner of the Royal Ballet, one of the present principal dancers of which is Jonathan Cope, who took his first ballet lessons here in Crediton. COLOURFUL
The Firebird, a display which received considerable praise from those who saw it during the Exhibition with Flowers. "Congratulations on a most colourful Festival with so many well interpreted themes in your beautiful church" - "Always enchanting! We are lucky enough to have been coming for over 30 years" - "An imaginative and visual feast in a splendid setting" - "I liked the mix of old and new, classical, jazz, modern, sacred and secular". "Truly lovely" "and an excellent lunch" - just a few of the many comments from visitors.
The High Altar was one area which was beautifully decorated. Throughout the Festival the Cantata Cafe gave excellent
service providing welcome cups of tea and delicious meals to record
numbers of visitors in the Boniface Centre where an attractive Art Exhibition
was staged by Newton St Cyres Art Group. CHORAL MUSIC
Principal organisers of the Exhibition with Flowers beside one of the outstanding displays. On Sunday, the Very Reverend Dean of Exeter was the preacher at a special Festival Choral Evensong when he dedicated the generous gift of a lovely new sundial which has been installed over the South Porch.
Members of the Newton St Cyres Art Group with some of the examples of their work behind them on a wall in the Boniface Centre. The beautiful choral music was as usual provided by Crediton's 50-strong church choir which had just returned from a highly successful weekend of musical engagements in Fulda, Germany, by invitation of the Cathedral there, where our own Crediton-born Saint Boniface is buried.
John Hiscocks of Newton St Cyres Art Group with one of his paintings in the display at the Boniface Centre. There were very good attendances at the evening concerts which enhanced the musical theme throughout the week, and these were especially enjoyed in the setting of the beautifully decorated church with its glorious riot of flowers. CONCERTS
Violin-making equipment on part of the display about Crediton musical instrument maker, Arthur Richardson. The concerts began on Saturday with "Duets"
featuring Rev Nigel Guthrie and Mrs Tina Guthrie, Mr John Willman and
organist and choirmaster Neil Page and Mrs Sue Page, the highlight of
which was a superb rendition of the Flower Duet from Delibes opera "Lakme"
by the two ladies. |
