Floral festivities among the Aldworth Giants

IF you’ve had visiting the Aldworth Giants – the nine 14th-century stone effigies of the Norman Knights and Ladies of the De la Beche family – or the 1,000 year-old yew tree, on your to do list, this weekend would be perfect, as it is St Mary’s Church Flower and Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm.

St Mary’s popular Flower Festival is returning with a difference – the addition of an art exhibition. As in the past, beautiful floral displays will be created by the church flower arrangers. The theme for these and the art on show is Garden Flowers.

The exhibition will be curated by Aldworth artists Mandy Monkcom and Isobel Pigott.

Mandy is predominantly a portrait artist but she has embraced the challenge of a new subject. Inspired by the garden at the Bell Inn, Aldworth, Mandy’s large acrylic painting is a joyful explosion of colour. As well as painting portrait commissions, Mandy teaches art classes in the village and online. Also exhibiting are a number of her talented students.

Isobel Pigott works in a number of different media. She has two artworks on show, a large mixed media ‘Still-life with Dahlias’ and a smaller watercolour ‘Flower Power’. Her work is bold and expressive. Colour is her passion.

Aldworth Art Group will also be showing their work. In total there will be 30 paintings as well as the flower arrangements to view around the church. Most artworks will be for sale along with cards produced by the village craft group. Some of the proceeds will go towards the church.

Teas and delicious cakes will be available. And not to be missed, a well stocked plant stall with produce grown and propagated in the village.

“We look forward to seeing you.”