The Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross
and the Mother of Him who hung thereon
Crediton - Devon

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 THE FLOWER FESTIVAL

 EXHIBITION WITH FLOWERS at CREDITON PARISH CHURCH

The dates for 2009 are Saturday 30th May to Thursday 4th June.

Further information available from:
Bill Jerman, 12 Blagdon Close, Crediton EX17 1EL
Tel: 01363 772865
email: jerman@12blagdon.eclipse.co.uk  

Crediton's Flower Festival has had a long history.

In the C19th Holy Cross, Crediton was subject - in common with many other ancient churches - to a vast restoration. This work had largely been completed by 1890 and little further restoration was needed until after the Second World War - in fact it was only in the 1970's that it became clear that a major effort was needed to bring the building back into good repair. A Restoration Committee was formed to achieve this with a target of raising £25,000. By 1980, this target had been accomplished and from 1980 until 2002 a modified Restoration Committee continued its work. Early in 2003 the Restoration Committee was once again reviewed and split into two new committees, one with the responsibility for fund raising and the other to identify and progress works needed. The committees report to the Governors (who in Crediton Church have responsibility for all temporal matters). The Governors' income is very limited, and the Flower Festival started in 1972 as a means of raising funds for continuing restoration costs - every year it raises a substantial part of what is needed. It has been traditional that the festival, which now lasts six days, should include St Boniface Day (June 5th).

There have been only two years since 1972 when there hasn't been a flower festival, but this was only because there was another important "happening" in those years. Below is a list of the many and diverse themes of individual festivals of the years since 1972.

Many of the artefacts used in individual displays are provided by members of the church, some are hired; similarly some flowers and foliage used is provided from the gardens of members of the congregation, some is bought in from Covent Garden.

No charge is made for viewing the Festival, which is among the oldest, largest and best in Devon. Money is raised from sponsorship by local businesses and individuals, the sale of programmes, goods, photo permits and refreshments (the equipment of the Boniface Centre enables us to provide excellent meals at very reasonable cost). Full facilities for disabled visitors are provided

Numbers of coach parties from all over the south-west come to us annually; for many groups, Crediton Flower Festival is now a firm fixture in their calendar. To help in the planning of the week it is essential that any groups intending to visit the Festival pre book their visit (and any refreshments if required).

Mounting the festival every year requires a great deal of planning, organization and hard physical work, with the first meeting taking place in the preceding August or September. The major part of the planning and organization is taken forward each year by a small Festival Committee.

Crediton Parish Church Restoration Committee Festivals
(to give them their formal name)
1972-2008

Click on the names for 2004 - 20078 to see the photographs from these events.

 Page last updated 10/06/08