FLOWER FESTIVAL --The Wye Valley Christian Festival held at Gorsley Chapel over the August Bank Holiday weekend was again a resounding success. More than 5,000 people came to view the beautiful flower arrangements, each portraying a message of truth from both the old and new testaments. The theme of the festival this year was 'Lift Off' and the logo showed a hot air balloon filled with energy by a flame and ready for lift off, just as the Holy Spirit energises us to live life to the full. People travelled by coach and car from all parts of the country to enjoy a day in the beautiful countryside and to share in the beauty of the flowers. Due to the foot and mouth precautions, the organisers were unable to run the popular animal farm this year, much to the disappointment of the children.There were more than 50 tents and caravans parked in the two fields adjacent to the chapel and campers were able to take part in all the meetings and concerts over the weekend.

Refreshments were available throughout, ranging from tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake from the cafeteria in the main marquee, to lunchtime meals, afternoon teas and early evening meals all cooked by the excellent catering teams of chapel members, and served by the young people in the restaurant.The produce stall was a great attraction, with its colourful displays of local fruit and vegetables, flowers and preserves.

A special area in the main marquee was arranged for missionary stalls and displays, showing the work that is done throughout the world to help the poor and refugees from natural disasters such as famine, flood and earthquake.There was even an aeroplane loaned by the Missionary Aviation Fellowship, parked outside the marquee.

The evening events were packed, particularly on the Sunday evening when the speaker was Tony Campolo, the American evangelist and former White House aide to President Clinton. More than 1,100 people came to the chapel site, many of them having to sit outside the marquee and listen through loudspeakers. The Bishop of Buckingham, the Rev. Mike Hill, attracted a wide and varied audience on Friday evening, and on Saturday evening, Nia, the contemporary Welsh gospel singer, gave a concert performance to a packed audience. The final concert on Monday evening was called Festival Praise and the performers were all members of the chapel, ending the festival on a note of joy and giving praise to their Lord, at the end of a great weekend.

OPEN GARDENS -- Throughout the festival, four gardens in the village were open for visitors to stroll around, or sit in the peace of a country garden.

VILLAGE HALL -- This was also open over the Bank Holiday weekend, serving ploughman's lunches and cream teas, and there was a craft fair on Saturday afternoon.

CHRISTCHURCH -- Instead of the usual monthly coffee morning, members of Christchurch are hoping the weather will be fine enough for an outing to Mallards Pike for a picnic lunch, on Wednesday, September 19. Please meet at the Pike at 12 noon, bringing your chair and picnic with you. It if is too cold or wet, please meet at the home of Fred and Diane Bach, Aston Bank, Aston Ingham, for coffee. Telephone 01989 720406 before 9.30am on the day to find out if the picnic is still on. If you require a lift, please ring Diane or Maureen Walker on 720435.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE -- The next meeting of the Kilcot and Gorsley Women's Institute will be held in the village hall on Tuesday, September 18, at 7.30pm, when Mrs L Hart will be speaking on the Dymock Poets.

GARDEN CLUB -- Next Monday evening, September 17, at 7.30pm, will see the start of the winter session, when meetings will be held in Gorsley Village Hall. It will be a general discussion entitled 'Your Questions and Answers'.