AN annual flower festival is returning to the heart of a historic town this month.

Coggeshall’s annual flower festival is taking place at the Parish Church of St Peter ad Vincula and is now in its 34th year.

Preparations for the event began in January, with the church already having a well-deserved reputation for outstanding flower festivals

There will be 30 flower arrangers who will work more than four days to put the festival together, creating more than 150 arrangements in 23 displays.

About 1,800 people come each year to visit the festival from all over the county and even further afield.

A spokesman said: “We invite you to enjoy a spectacular floral journey through some fascinating stories about women in the Bible. 

“It will include Eve, the first woman, the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and Miriam who put her baby brother Moses in the bulrushes to save him from the Pharoah.”

The festival also offers a treat for music lovers, with musical recitals taking place in the church during the weekend.

On Saturday, August 27 at 7.30pm, there will be a concert featuring 100 Years of Popular Songs with Ted Heath and Friends.

There will also be a Festival Eucharist service at 9.30am on Sunday, August 28.

The spokesman added: “Delicious refreshments will also be available in the church for the duration of the festival and we will have our hugely popular preserves, produce and plant stall again. 

“Entry is free, although donations towards the upkeep of the church will be warmly welcomed.”

The 34th annual Coggeshall Flower Festival will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, from Saturday August 27, to Tuesday, August 30.

It is taking place from 10am to 5pm, starting slightly later at 11am on the Sunday.

For further information, contact Judy Crawford on 01376 561389 or jandacrawford@btinternet.com.

For tickets for the Saturday evening concert, contact Sarah Wickens on 07974 802304.