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Th Minster Flower Festival held over the weekend of 2nd to 5th September has been hailed a great success. Many favourable comments have flowed in as to how much it was enjoyed. Entitled ‘Trades- Past and Present’ a number of the Arrangements certainly portrayed their subject including the Gamekeeper, Wine Merchant, Rope Makers, Drapers, Glaziers, Herbalist and Basketry. The Crypt was transformed into a Chapel of Peace with candles as the Candlemaker.

The Festival was held to mark the 900th anniversary of the start of the present Minster building as we see it today. Postponed from 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic there was a steady flow of visitors throughout the weekend. Taking part were Flower Clubs from across Dorset, one from Hampshire and the Minsters own Arrangers with other local Churches. There were a number of generous sponsors to the Festival including the Wimborne BID.

It is hoped that around £10,000 will have been raised for Minster Funds with a donation also being given to the Forest Holme Hospice.

The Sunday marked the Minsters Patronal Festival and at the morning Parish Eucharist we welcomed the new Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Stephen Lake for his first visit to the Minster. He both Presided and Preached. He also Blessed the Flower Festival and Re-dedicated the re-built Minster Organ. The Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, the High Sheriff and the Town Mayor were also present. The Bishop cut a celebratory cake after the service. In the afternoon the Minster Bell Ringers rang a full peal to celebrate the Festival and at Choral Evensong we welcomed as our Preacher the Venerable Barney Hopkinson who was Rector of the Minster in the 1980’s

Pic. No 1: The Cycle Shop…cycle loaned by Samways and the Arrangement done by Colehill Floral Arrangement Club…photo by Steve Vidler

Pic. No 2:  A 1930 Austin Seven kindly loaned by Andrew & Liz Curtis. Liz in front of pic doing the Arrangement…photo by Russell Sach

Pic. No 3: the Bishop cuts the celebratory cake watched over by  the Lord Lieutenant  Mr Angus Campbell…photo by Beatrice Dopita

Pic. No 4: Trade Candlemaker The Crypt transformed into a Chapel of Peace…photo by Anthony Oliver

Pic. No 5; Trade Basketry by Parkstone Floral Decoration Society…photo by Anthony Oliver

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