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Dear
Editor
I was extremely disappointed with the “Billericay Past, Present and
Future, Festival of Flowers, Art & Music” St Mary Magdalen Church.
There was more space made available on the ground floor for catering,
teas, tables and seating than was allocated to the number of exhibits,
particularly as there are more than enough coffee/tea outlets in the
High Street. Other exhibits were placed on the balcony area above,
failing to recognise that many elderly or physically disabled residents
would find the stairs difficult and negotiating their way between the
seating upstairs imposed a further restriction or hazard.
Given the title of” festival” there was little art on display and a
predominance of space allocated to flowers. For example, one small
flower display placed above head height on the window sill by the left
of the altar, with all the vacant floor area in front left empty that
could have been utilised for the difficult to access exhibits on the
balcony. One exhibit previously set up on the ground floor was, given
the space available downstairs, moved to the balcony without consulting
the exhibitor, an example of a lack of good manners and prior
consultation, not behaviour to win friends and certainly not Christian.
As a result of this unacceptable and intractable behaviour the exhibitor
removed the exhibit from the “festival” prior to the opening.
There was too little on display to support the grandiose title
“Billericay Past, Present and Future”, more like tea room with exhibits
as an afterthought.
The title was not exploited to its full potential in terms of utilising
the available space to its optimum advantage and needed a director with
experience and knowledge that was plainly lacking.
Cllr
Terence Gandy
Billericay West Ward
32 Norsey View Drive
Billericay
CM12 0QR |
Dear Trevor,
As representative of The Friends St. Mary Magdalen may I
thank everyone involved in the Billericay Festival 13th – 15th
June held at St. Mary Magdalen Church depicting ‘Past, Present and
Future’ in flowers, art and music. From the afternoon of Wednesday the
11th and all day Thursday people were busily bringing their
different objects to show and enhance displays. Tables, notice boards,
cart wheels, Mayflower ships and display cabinets of Billericay
memorabilia were among many items being brought into the church. After
hours of hard work the church was ready by Friday morning to open its
doors with a welcoming ‘café style’ interior and surrounded by the most
beautiful floral displays. At last we were able to see the fruits of
all the hard work put into the last few days. The building was packed
and a short service led by our curate – Annabel Copeland started the
day beautifully. Jim Shrubb, our Town Crier applauded the day with news
of the event and John Barron MP officially opened the Festival.
During the next two and a half days many people enjoyed the beauty of
the flowers and were fascinated by the recollections of Billericay and
views of the future. There were displays by Billericay churches,
schools, societies, the Cater Museum and the Town Council. Thanks go to
all the volunteers involved – but two people must be singled out, Linda
Gilbey who took charge of the flowers and Janet Lee whose vision this
was and who took overall charge of the proceedings – both have worked
tirelessly for over a year on this project.
Thank
you all so very much for a wonderful weekend.
Yours
sincerely,
Angela Clarke (Sec.to Friends of St.Mary Magdalen
Church).
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Dear Sir,
Billericay Festival - St Mary Magdalen Church.
I feel that I must praise "Churches Together", the Organising
Committee, contributors and sponsors for the marvellous three day
event recently put on in St Mary Magdalen Church on the High Street.
It was a joy to see so many people in the newly refurbished body of
this magnificent building and to feel that at last the general
public can see what work has been undertaken and what still needs to
be done to repair the Church fabric and create a true
community-based centre.
The setting was perfect for the theme of the Festival and was a
wonderful arena for those amazing flower displays and the schools
and community displays that accompanied them. I hope the organisers
feel the same and will consider a themed Festival on an annual
basis.
The refurbishment has occasionally been contentious and no doubt
future works may not meet everyone's approval, but the results so
far are tremendous and have breathed life into this focal point in
the heart of Billericay. I wish the project team well in their
efforts to raise the required capital for the next phases of the
works.
Captain B. B. Beale.
8, The Mount,
Billericay.
CM11 1HD |
Dear Mr Stansfield
I
want to add my voice to the many I’m sure you will receive in praise
of the splendid Billericay Festival staged at St Mary Magdalen
Church, on the High Street, over the weekend.
Depicting the town over the past, present and future, the exhibits
were interesting, engaging and stimulating, set in a venue so
appropriate for every sequence of the title.
The site was a feast of floral excellence, both in the quality of
the flowers and in the skilful way in which they were presented;
every colour, shape and design so deftly woven into every
arrangement.
So much hard work and effort is required over many weeks and months
to create such an effective outcome and those at the helm truly
deserve the plaudits that come their way.
It was a triumph of organisation, demonstrating the fine
collaboration achieved via Churches Together in Billericay.
For co-ordinating the planning and execution of this festival. Linda
Gilbey and Jane Lee are to be warmly congratulated, as is every
individual who contributed to this marvellous celebration of
flowers, art and music.
Yours sincerely
Doreen Potter
PS The coffee cake was scrumptious!!!! |
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