Burning flowers

I always enjoy visiting church flower festivals especially in rural areas.  Villagers - not just church-goers - turn out to support the event, contribute flower arrangements and organise teas and fruitcake sales.
Such festivals, taking place often in ancient church buildings, almost have the feeling of being the last of England's rural customs. 

This shot was taken at St Luke in Onecote and the arrangement is an interpretation of Moses' burning bush revelation.

Rainbow in church

The Meerbrook Church Flower Festival was really colourful and, well, better done than most.  (Frankly, a lot of church flower festivals look like the place is just decked out for a grand funeral).

The theme for this particular festival was 'A Good Read', and each exhibit illustrated the makers' favourite book. Featured were the usual suspects - from Tarka The Otter to Wind In The Willows etc.
Mind you, I was a little surprised to see that the exhibit in the photo above was a tribute to 'The Rainbow' by DH Lawrence, a book banned on its first publication for its risque passages!
Good ol' Meerbrook...