East Lothian’s only remaining floral art club is staging its first flower festival in nearly a decade as part of its diamond jubilee celebrations this year.
The three-day event, entitled ‘Musselburgh Then and Now’, will be held at St Andrew’s High Church in Millhill next Friday and Saturday (August 29 and 30) from 10am to 4pm, and next Sunday (August 31), 12.30-5pm.
Fourteen contemporary and more traditional floral displays, with a wide variety of blooms and foliage, will be based on the town’s history including its industrial past with its mills, famous racecourse, golfing heritage as home to one of the oldest golf courses in the world, ancient connections with the Romans, its links with Loretto School – Scotland’s oldest boarding school – and the town’s ice cream-making traditions.
Kath Doggett, club chairperson, highlighted the work which had gone into planning the event to mark the club’s 60th anniversary, saying: “It is good way to celebrate our success and that we are continuing to exist, and also to let people know that we are here and are part of the Musselburgh area.”
She is hoping that the event will be ‘blooming marvellous,’ saying: “It has been hard work but is exciting. We hope people will go along and enjoy the festival. We are looking forward to it.”
She stressed that new members were always welcome to join the club, adding: “We are not just for people who are serious and devoted to flowers and it’s their entire life, it’s for anyone who loves flowers.”
The floral displays will be both inside the church and outside in its gardens during the festival.
A tombola can be enjoyed and refreshments will be served.
Entry is by programme, costing £5.
The club thanked S Luca ice cream shop for its kind sponsorship and the congregations of St Andrew’s High Church and St Michael’s Church at Inveresk for their support.
There have also been donations towards the flower festival in memory of two former club members and Kath held a garden open day at her home to raise funds.
The club has received financial help from the National Lottery Community Fund and it is also hoped to offer flower classes to beginners in the community in the future.
The club meets on the second Wednesday of each month in Ravelston House Hotel, North High Street, at 7.30pm.
Anyone interested in joining the floral art club can contact Kath at kathdoggett@yahoo.co.uk.
A produce bank, organised by Rev Dr Leslie Milton, minister at St Andrew’s High, and the Musselburgh Community Pantry, helped by Sustaining Musselburgh, will also run during the flower show on Saturday, August 30.
Produce is being donated by gardeners from the Fisherrow Community Garden and Rennie Bridge Garden.
Contributions from local food growers are welcome and should be taken along before 10am on Saturday, August 30. The stalls selling produce will be located at the High Street entrance to the church garden.
Dr Milton said: “One of the great things about East Lothian is the amazing variety of things that grow here. As we come to the end of the summer some of us have more fruit and vegetables that we can use ourselves. The produce bank is a good opportunity for anyone who has surplus to share with anyone who will appreciate fresh, locally grown produce.
“Anyone can bring any fresh produce from gardens or allotments or community gardens to St Andrew’s High from 9am on Saturday, August 30. The produce bank opens at 10am for anyone in the community to take whatever they can use. The Musselburgh Floral Art Club’s Flower Festival is on at the same time so there’s an opportunity to come and appreciate the skill of the flower arrangers at the same time. The two events together are a celebration of our enjoyment of the natural world.”