THE annual Crediton Parish Church Flower Festival, which will run from June 1 to June 6, is a major fundraising event for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the town’s fine 15th Century Grade 1 listed building.

The theme for this year’s festival is the wind – invisible yet powerful.

The title comes from a song in a Disney animated film “Pocahontas”.

Wind has many meanings including AIR, BREATH and SPIRIT and of course the flowers will provide a mass of colour.

Those who visit the Flower Festival will be invited to “fly high and fly fast” with the Red Arrows in diamond nine formation.

Indeed the Red Arrows may well fly over Holy Cross in the late afternoon of Saturday, June 1 on their way to or from the Torbay Airshow.

Visitors could also “Ride on Air” by trike and bike, consider the quality of our air with “Lungs of the World” and “Lungs of the City”, contemplate “Mindfulness” in the quiet of the Lady Chapel with a “Candle in the Wind”, practise their playing skills with “Air Guitar”, “Blow your Horn” to make music with brass bands, and consider the spiritual significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit through wind and fire.

Crediton Parish Church is rare, as the people of the town actually own this church, having bought it from King Henry VIII, and is thought by some to be one of the finest parish churches of its kind in Devon.

The Festival opens on Saturday, June 1 at 10am and closes at 5pm on Thursday, June 6, and attracts visitors from across the South West to view the floral displays, presented in an entertaining, colourful and creative exhibition designed with familiar blooms as well as more exotic species.

During the Festival there will be an opportunity to view the historic Governors Room at noon and at 3pm each day and the Bell Tower at 2pm each day except Sunday.

Special events during the Festival include a Concert by Tedburn Community Choir, with conductor Mike Canning, who will present a programme of light music including “Paint with the colours of the wind” on Saturday, June 1 from 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available at the door at £6, and it will be free for children.

The Evening Service at 6pm on Sunday, June 2, will be a Songs of Praise led by the Rev Matthew Tregenza and Crediton Town Band will provide a rousing finale with a FREE concert at 7pm on Wednesday, June 5.

Admission to the Festival is FREE and there is free parking and disabled access.

Refreshments, lunches and teas will be available at the Summer Breeze Café in the Boniface Centre, where the Newton St Cyres Art Group will display and sell their work.

If you would like to help in any way with the Flower Festival or would like more information, please visit: creditonparishchurch.org.uk or creditonparishchurchfestivals on “Facebook”.