A flower festival which took place at a Garston church last month raised over £14,500 for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.
The festival was open to the public from October 3 to 5 at Stanborough Park Church, with a preview evening held on October 2.
The 2025 flower festival included an opening ceremony with music and food. There were also speeches from Professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive at the Royal College of Nursing, who grew up in the area; an ambassador from Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care; and Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, who opened the festival.
The event was organised by resident Audrey Balderstone, who said: “Community members have been asking over the past few years about another festival and so they were delighted to attend, some often coming back with friends and neighbours. We had many visitors who were generous with their donations. We also had a few large sponsorship donations.
“Those who attended were fascinated to see flowers they had not seen before such as King Proteas, Anthuriums, Vanda Orchids, Phaleonopsis orchids, Gloriosa Lilies and Strelizia, as well as the more usual flowers.”
Audrey, who has won an RHS Gold medal at Harrogate Flower Show, has hosted 17 large flower festivals over the years, raising more than £151,000 in total for local charities and hospices.
She added: “A flower festival is a very happy time which brings people together, brightens the lives of those who attend and does good in the community. It is the most positive of experiences, working together as a team, talking to people and bringing them joy.
“Most people have had, or will have, a reason to thank a hospice. They need all the help we can give them.”
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