You are here: > Home > St Richard's >
The perfume from over 200 lillies filled the church throughout the Festival
Stunning arrangements using flowers from all over the world were created by Pat Ware and her team from St Richards with the help of ladies from St Paul's and Christ Church in Chichester, St Richard's at Slindon and Our Lady of Sorrows in Bognor, members of the Emsworth and District Flower Society, Tangmere Flower Society and friends. Pat arranged the setting for Our Lady's statue on the sanctuary and other displays.
A selection is shown in this feature - all were photographed for the parish archive.
A hectic two days followed weeks of planning. Funding came from sponsors from the parish for displays commemorating relatives and friends. A variety of styles brought high quality and creativity to every corner of the church. Around the walls the graphic display of panels time-lined the story of the Universal Church - its origins, popes, setbacks and triumphs.
Barbara Proctor and Christ Church Flower Committee put up beautiful arrangements for the United Reform and Methodist churches.
Rosemary Bryan came from St Paul's Church of Chichester, honouring "The Church of England".
Emsworth & District Flower Society were represented by Chris Moat and Joy Williams, with some arrangements linked to wall panels. Other supporters from Emsworth were Wendy Burt, Sharon Monkcom, Carol Edney, June White, Margaret Simms and Elma Eckett. (Pat is deputy Chair of this Society)
Barbara Morris of Tangmere Flower Club contributed attractive features.
From Our Lady of Sorrows at Bognor, Ann Holste and Jackie French arranged a display alongside wall panels commemorating popes from the start of the 20th century to the present day. The Bognor team included Maura Bennett and Maureen Johnson.
Our patron saint was represented on the sanctuary, in an arrangement by Sue Botes and Teresa Meaby of St Richard's church, Slindon.
The home team included - Sarah Allman, Paula Barrett, Margaret Beazley, Anneleise Bednall, Sheila Brown, Judy Davenport, Marysia Dembinski, Penny Finn, Mary Flaxbeard, Helen Floyd, Suzie Hellyer, Annie Miles, Debbie Phillips and Mary Poole-Smith.
St Roche, the patron saint of healing, was placed here by Anne French of West Middlesex Society of Art. ( The annual healing service on the Trundle takes place in August).
The welcoming entrance porch had three major displays: Jesus Founder of the Church, the Agony in the Garden, and two marking the place of St Peter in Christian life.
Father Thomas thanked everyone who helped and visited. It was a successful and timely contribution to the cultural and evangelical life of the City, the more so since we hoped to be listed shortly, largely on account of our Loire glass which was a scintillating backdrop to the floral displays. (For more information about the team see also: Flower arranging)