Flower Festival celebrates 125 year anniversary of Rochdale Salvation Army

Rochdale Mayor Councillor Peter Evans with Salvation Army Captain Paul Wilson

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The Rochdale branch of the Salvation Army celebrated its 125 year existence with a Flower Festival over the weekend at its headquarters on Newgate. The festival was officially opened by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Evans on Friday morning, 31 August, and he was among the first people to enjoy the superb flower arrangements on display, alongside his wife, Mayoress Helen, Rochdale MP Paul Rowen and Heywood amp; Middleton MP Jim Dobbin.

The event was officially opened by the Mayor, who said: "I hope that this event allows people to recognise the essential work of the Salvation Army; Rochdale's would be a much poorer society without their hard work and help over the last 125 years. It therefore gives me great pleasure to open this flower festival."

16 displays in total filled the hall at the Salvation Army HQ, each with its own unique style and design but all centering on Salvation Army and Christian themes. The Salvation Army crest and traditional red shield were both portrayed in flower arrangements, respectively designed by Eleanor Clarke amp; Brenda Jones and Fiona Lewis. Other highlights included 'Onward Christian Soldiers' by arrangement organisers Pam Crabtree and Ketty Day, a display which utilised traditional Salvation Army band instruments in amongst the flowers, and 'Bonnets', a display by Brunhilde Kay contained Salvation Army headwear.

The evenings of the festival each brought a musical event to proceedings. On the Friday the Rochdale Girls Choir entertained a large crowd and similar success was enjoyed by the Castleford Salvation Army Citadel Band amp; Songster Brigade on the Saturday and finally on Sunday the 'United Songs of Praise', which brought the festival to a climax.

Pam Rogerson, who organised the event for the Salvation Army, said: "It took many months of planning to reach the Flower Festival weekend and I think everyone who came felt a sense of wonder and awe as they marvelled at the stunning floral arrangements.

"I would like to thank Mrs Ketty Day, Mrs Pam Crabtree and Mrs Diane Cornforth for making this event a reality; their guidance and support in all areas of planning, their interest and friendship, were invaluable.

"The floral arrangers have been inspiring to say the least. Each one of them could see in their mind how they were going to interpret their chosen design. I marvel how gifted these folk are!"

Paul Wilson, Captain of the Rochdale Salvation Army, said: "We know that as people took time to appreciate the displays, some sense of awe and wonder filled their minds as they appreciated not only the skill and care of those who took time to create the displays but also to a God who created the flowers in the first place."