Wednesday 8 December 2021

Advent Photos 2021 . December 8th and The Wreath Festival

 A Wreath Festival sounded different so off I went to Grundisburgh Church to have a look - with camera of course.
They had all been made by people of the village with so many different materials, ideas, designs and sizes, more than 200 so I've not photographed all of them!
A good fundraiser for the church.
 
 


 
Some, with price labels were for sale





Coffee and cakes were for sale and as I'd not had breakfast I had to partake - of course. While drinking my coffee the angels were looking down on me!
This church isn't featured in my 100 treasures in 100 Suffolk Churches book but if it was it perhaps would have been for the painted Rood Screen,
or the Medieval wall painting,
 
or perhaps for the unusual brick tower

 I asked a lady there if they would ever have the Crib Festival again. She said sadly not as many of the crib and nativity scenes were owned by the previous vicar who has moved on or by Libby Purves (Radio 4 broadcaster, author and wife of Paul Heiney) who no longer has them available to loan.
I'm so glad I went to see them in 2018, which was the last time they were displayed here.

Back Tomorrow
Sue



37 comments:

  1. What a lovely church - those angels, the Medieval wall painting and the rood screen should have gotten it in your book, to my mind.

    Wonderful wreaths - so many different ideas. Did you have a favourite? I need to make ours yet - but would get blown away today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were so many it was impossible to see a favourite although the one on the font was spectacular

      Delete
  2. That's glorious! So different from the usual tree or crib festival. I'd forgotten Libby P lived in your neck of the woods! And the church itself looks worthy of a visit, even without the Christmas extras. Thank you for another lovely post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They lived in the road where we lived at the smallholding until 2 years before we moved in! Then moved to near Dunwich not sure if they are still there

      Delete
  3. Libby Purves' crib collection was on display in Norwich Cathedral several years ago. Absolutely brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In 2018 she was looking for a permanent home for them all not sure what happened after that

      Delete
  4. An unusual alternative to trees, how lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll be going to a tree festival later this week - if things go to plan

      Delete
  5. That is a lot of wreaths and some lovely ideas - I hope the idea catches on, I have only been to tree festivals up here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if anyone seeing this will take the idea to another part of the country - that would be good

      Delete
  6. Such a lovely idea, I have seen tree festivals but the wreaths are so different and ideas could be copied. They must have looked lovely,
    My D makes wreaths and I have several one in my craft room which displays lots of craft.
    It's still very windy but at least it's dry, hope everyone is safe.
    Hazel 🌈🌈

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was amazing what ideas people had come up with.
      No too windy in Suffolk

      Delete
  7. What lovely ideas, somehow churches will never become redundant when they fold into their villages and craftwork.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish all churches would do more for their communities other than just a Sunday service.
      Some of those I've visited have got kitchens and toilets - modernising themselves to have more uses - others are still stuck in the C19

      Delete
  8. Some ingenious ideas there. I noticed the covered bottle tops. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved the wreath of balls of wool with knitting needles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes that was a really clever one = so simple but effective

      Delete
  10. Watched over by angels while you ate your cake, how uplifting. It's a lovely church, we have one a bit similar quite near to us but the tower is shorter, at about the height of the line above the clock on this one. It just looks as though they ran out of bricks, or enthusiasm when they were building it many years ago.

    I'm glad you saw the crib display before it stopped being brought out, I wonder if Libby has them all around her house at Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was looking for a permanent home for them when some were displayed in 2018 and they might have moved from their farm which was in a very remote bit of Suffolk coast - maybe they've downsized like me!

      Delete
  11. what a wonderful idea and so creative! At first I thought that angel was in the snow. I keep hearing snow in the forecast for us so I have it in mind all the time I guess.
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I see what you mean - the plaster does look so much like snow

      Delete
  12. What a lovely - and colourful - idea to have all those wreaths. That's an impressive looking church.....well, on the inside, can't say the brick tower is very aesthetically pleasing, it looks totally out of place to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are one or two churches with more recent brick towers around. Perhaps the original fell down!

      Delete
  13. Love the churches. I also love the story of you and your life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Another lovely church. Thank you for sharing all the photos. What a nice, annual event and such creative wreaths! --Elise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was their first time at wreaths - I wonder what they will do next

      Delete
  15. Such imagination - aren't they lovely Sue. I knew Libby Purvis (who writes for The Times) and Paul Heiney lived down your way. Didn't know she had such a collection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No idea what she did with them - the lady just said no longer available. Not sure where they live now either

      Delete
  16. Such a wide assortment of wreaths. We've been wreath making here and in fact just posted some of the results today.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those wreaths look absolutely fantastic and such a variety. A pity about the crib festival but you never know!
    I'm looking forward to making my wreath on Saturday - something I have never done before.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful idea! People are so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Holiday wreaths are popular and this church has lots to choose from. A church near me has a Christmas sale with lots of crafts and wreaths for sale. The sale should bring some good funds to the church.

    ReplyDelete
  20. WOW! That is a lot of wreaths!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a lovely church! The wreaths are beautiful. There are some talented people around. Hope the coffee and cake were delicious. I really like it when you take us along on some of your journeys.

    ReplyDelete