Festival of Flowers

Festival of Flowers

A vision of Freemasonry in bloom was held today (Saturday 7 June) as the Freemasons of Rochdale held their Festival of Flowers.

The festival, at the Masonic Hall on Richard Street, was raising money for charitable causes.

Pamela Crabtree, chairwoman of the festival, said: “It has been brilliant..”

The festival was officially opened yesterday (Friday 6 June) and started with a great response.

Festival of Flowers

Peter Hewitt from the Freemasons said: “We were packed yesterday. Once it was officially open to the public we had people in all day and we
have had a good response today as well.”

An individual flower arranger made each of the displays at the festival. Pamela contacted flower clubs to get involved with the festival and each flower arranger was given the opportunity to create a piece based on the freemasons for the show.

Flower clubs from Middleton, Urmston, Saddleworth, Chadderton, Salford and Radcliffe all took part in the show.

The festival was first held in Rochdale in 2003 and was the first of its kind.

Festival of Flowers

Pamela added: “I had the idea because my husband is a freemason. It was an idea to show openness to the general public and to quash the
ideas of freemasons being private. Also with it being held in the Masonic Hall, it gives people the opportunity to look at this lovely building.”

The first festival went on to raise £10,000 for charity with Peter hoping to continue that success again this year.

“We would like to raise around that amount again but you can’t really say. The charities haven’t been decided on yet but we have an idea of the causes we would like to help,” said Peter.

The festival continues tomorrow between 10.00am and 4.00pm.