It’s a tribute to everyone who has taken care of it, and most of all to our much-missed Michael Bratley, that Bainton churchyard looks so incredible every spring. Its mixture of bulbs, primroses and rare violets (not to mention a Giant Redwood and the yews) make it a special place.
This year, St Mary’s church and the Bainton and Ashton Parish Nature Recovery group are joining forces to celebrate this beauty with the Primrose Festival on 26th and 27th March – the Mothering Sunday weekend.
You can enter the spring flowers arrangement completion, or the photography competition – with groups for children and adults.
Parking available at Bainton allotments and on side roads – but please do not park on our verges! Toilets available at the Reading Room.
Timetable
Saturday 26th March 1 pm – 4.30 pm
• Official opening at 1 pm
• See the beautiful spring flowers in Bainton churchyard, with information about the different species
• Nature walk around Bainton village, led by ecologist Sarah Lambert of the Langdyke Trust (places limited so booking will be required) use: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/296731049557 or contact Julie on07885563128.
• See the competition entries for flower arrangements and nature photographs, and the prize giving
• Find out about the progress of the John Clare Countryside team in restoring our natural environment, and how you can get involved
• Prizes for spring flowers and photography competitions
• Children’s nature and craft activities
• Church Tour, highlighting the architecture and history
• Tea time refreshments
• Closing with a short service, celebrating God’s gifts of nature
Sunday 27th March
• 9 am Communion service for Mothering Sunday
• Church open all day to see the competition entries
• 2 pm Afternoon countryside walk (c 6 miles – easy walking, nearly all off-road).
Rules for Competitions
Photography Competition
Photographs should be of local wildlife, wild flowers, or scenery – taken via phone or camera, printed (Up to A4 Size), and posted or delivered with the age, name and address of the photographer to: The Rectory, Millstone Lane, Barnack PE9 3ET. Please also send via email or WeTransfer to stmarysbainton@gmail.com so we have an electronic copy. Closing Date for entries 24th March.
If you have trouble printing off photographs please email us on the above email address.
There will be three age groups:
• Up to 11 years of age on 25 March 2022
• 12 to 17 years of age
• 18 years and over
Photographers agree that their photos can be displayed, attributed, in the church and via the Parish News and Tribune websites and magazines.
Flower Arranging Competition
An arrangement of garden-grown or bought spring flowers and foliage– please do not use flowers taken from the wild!
Three age groups:
• Up to 11 years of age on 25 March 2022
• 12 to 17 years of age
• 18 and over
To be arranged in the competitor’s own container, and brought to the church between 10 and 12 on Saturday 26th March.
These will be displayed in the church to the end of Sunday 27th March.
The organisers and St Mary’s Bainton cannot take responsibility for the vases / containers, so please ensure it’s not your precious heirlooms.
Please contact the organisers at stmarysbainton@gmail.com or Revd Gary Alderson on 07503975588.