“STREAMS of Living Water” is the title of the flower festival being held this weekend (September 2-4) at Spreyton Parish Church with some quite amazing floral displays.

It starts at the lych gate to the church with baskets filled with flowers but do look up to the roof of the lychgate to see the most charming whale ever with a very small Jonah.

Along the cobbled path to the church are poems about water, the sea or rivers, written on slate by Amanda Down. Authors include George Harrison, pieces from the Bible, “The Wind in the Willows” and Leonardo da Vinci who said: “When you put your hand in a flowing stream you touch the last that has gone and the first of what is still to come.”

There are at least 10 arrangements all on a theme of water such as Amanda Down and Angela Hawkins’ of Jesus’ first miracle of turning the water into wine for a wedding. They have used the stairway to where the rood screen once was with flowers right at the top running down to more at the bottom of the stairs.

Or the whirlpool created by Lesley Jewell, the beautiful flowers at the font and spend a little time in the church porch where flowers have been used so creatively.

In the church remember to turn around to look at the west window in the tower and the wonderful stained glass window depicting St Michael, given in memory of John Anderton whose family still live in the village.

Proceeds from the Festival are to be shared between the church and WaterAid. The church will be open today (Thursday) and tomorrow and Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm with refreshments available and open again on Sunday from 12 noon to 4.30pm but no refreshments.

Spreyton would have held this Festival last year but, like so many other events, it did not happen. A Christmas Tree Festival has been held in the past but not last year. So it was agreed to “go for it” this year. Between Lesley Jewell and Alethea Kennerley it is happening.

Many of the flowers are local such as the bullrushes and some of the trees and plants in tubs. Others have been lent by local garden centres and about half have been provided by J A Collins and Sons, flower growers of Norfolk, in memory of Mary Down who farmed in the parish and is buried in the churchyard.

There is wheelchair access, toilets are in the Village Hall close by. A donation box will be in the church. There will be tea and coffee throughout, cakes, light lunches between 12 noon and 2pm of quiche and salad with home made coleslaw. Altogether a Festival to be appreciated and feasted upon in this delightful church and neat village with its excellent pub and shop.