AROUND THE DIOCESE: Flower power joy.

Byline: EDNA BEVERIDGE

IT was devastating news when my friend, Joy, was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. A petite lady, I did not think she would survive the ordeal of the treatment. Angry, I questioned my faith; I questioned God's purpose, such random cruelty. I asked, "Why Joy?" Joy answered, "Why not me?" In this battle against cancer I had reckoned without Joy's faith and her fighting spirit. The wonderful medical treatment culminating in the stem cell transplant Joy received at the RVI has undoubtedly benefited her progress. So we decided to hold a Festival to celebrate Joy's ongoing recovery and raise funds to help the RVI with their Stem Cell Research, so that they can find better ways to help people, now and in the future. At the same time we hope to add a little to the Church Restoration Fund. The three days of celebrations will take place in Stannington from Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September 2007. Details of events happening on each day can be found at: www.stmaryschurchstannington.ik.com or you can ring Edna on 01670 714626. There is so much to look forward to. The Festival started small, but then we decided to go for Gold: to be precise, a team of Floral Artists from The National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (Northumberland & Durham Area), who won Gold at Chelsea. Amazingly they agreed to help us by holding their next Flower Festival in St. Mary's Church, Stannington. We needed a theme that would capture the imagination, be a fitting tribute to Joy, and something that would allow everyone to share in our joy. And so "The Joy of Creation, A Northumbrian Festival" was born.

Please join us and enjoy all the delights on offer.

While the NAFAS Flower Festival will totally transform St. Mary's Church, a whole host of other events will turn Stannington First School into a Festival of all things Northumbrian. There will be Northumbrian artists and crafts people demonstrating their work, with opportunities to purchase a unique piece of art whilst being serenaded by Northumbrian musicians. And with a Farmers' Market on Friday 31st and Country Markets throughout the weekend, there will be plenty on offer to whet your appetite. Of course, if you can't wait to sample such delights as Quack and Oink Pie or Northumbrian Cheesecake or the local cheeses, the Refreshment Marquee will be serving the finest Northumbrian Fayre every day of the Festival, with special tasty meals for children.

Yes! Children are welcome! In fact we hope they will be kept very busy and fully entertained. MagicMickey will be at the Festival every day to amaze us with his special magical show. There will be a chance for children to try out some crafty skills. There will be face painting, A Magical Story Trail to exercise the imagination and a Story Grotto, where everyone can curl up and listen to tales spun by Storytellers from Seven Stories. And, naturally, for the Festival to be truly Northumbrian, there has to be music, music and more music. Saturday evening sees a fine collection of musicians and raconteurs coming together for A Northumbrian Concert. To bring The Joy of Creation weekend to a close, on Sunday Evening there will be a Songs of Praise in St Mary's church, led by Peter Wright, Organist and Director of Music at Southwark Cathedral, with Soprano, Rachel Little, and readings by Marion Marshall from the World Service. Please help us to make this a real festival of joy and raise money to support vital RVI Stem Cell Research.