Scalby Flower Festival originated at the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee when the Scalby Fair Committee thought that it would be another event to enhance the week’s programme, to involve more people from the village and to perhaps interest people from outside the village.
At the beginning both St Laurence’s Church and the Methodist Church were asked to be involved and for many years the two churches alternated as the venue. More recently, the Flower Festival has taken place each year at St Laurence’s over Scalby Fair weekend with members of both congregations taking part in this themed event linked with Scalby Fair. Arrangers come not only from the churches, but also from the local community including support from a number of members of Scarborough Flower Club, so the resulting displays are varied and imaginative.
Over the last few years we have had “Flower Power” based on the events of the 1960s, “By The Seaside” with buckets and spades, donkey rides, lifeboats etc. and last year “Life on the Ocean Waves – A World Cruise”. When the Flower Festival first began, themes were more religiously based with topics such as “Psalms”, “Hymns”, “Church Festivals” etc. However, no matter how testing the theme may be, it is amazing how the arrangers always come up with something new and exciting. Although we are always pleased to welcome new volunteers, quite a number of people have been arranging for most of the last 35 years! That must warrant some applause!
The Friday night preview of flowers has taken place over many years and, as with the topics, its format has also varied, from “sit and listen” entertainment, followed by a finger buffet, to the present, perhaps lower key and less financially demanding, viewing of flowers accompanied by Jack Jowsey playing the piano. Recent events have been happy and relaxed so this format will continue in 2019.
The Preview on the Friday (the day before Fair Day) is from 7.30pm to 9pm, with the previous informal walk round with music playing,
On Fair Day Saturday itself, the church opens from 10am to 5pm for viewing with donations towards the Fair’s charities,
On the day after, the Sunday, the church is open from approximately 10am to 5pm for viewing with donations towards the Fair’s charities. The opening time is provisional as the Sunday Services have to be confirmed each year by the vicar.
On the Monday, the church is open from 10am to 3pm for viewing with donations towards the Fair’s charities.
We hope that visitors viewing the displays at times other than the preview evening will be prepared to make a donation towards the flowers, which will help the Scalby Fair Committee’s donations to local causes.
