BLOOMING wonderful: The recent Festival of Flowers in Ellisfield was a huge success - a triumph for Ellisfield Ladies, who organised the event and inspired so much dedicated work from so many residents.

There were magnificent floral displays in St Martin's on both Saturday and Sunday - imaginative, artistic and on a grand scale, transforming the church.

There was a festival concert in the church on Saturday night by Basingstoke's very versatile Swell Party - known to us in Ellisfield because of Theresa Lunn - and Choral Evensong on Sunday.

Maggie's absolutely wonderful tea rooms did outstanding business on both days.

It was all in aid of the St Martin's East Wall Fund.

By the end of the weekend, a total of £1,600 had been raised.

The organisers are hoping that more donations will roll in over the next few days.

Doreen and Celia thank everyone involved for all their hard work. It seemed as though everyone in the village was taking part in some way - a real community event.

People helped by acting as stewards in the church, baking cakes, helping with teas, donating flowers, arranging flowers, preparing printing, playing the organ, making signs, acting as runners, selling tickets, advertising, planting signposts around the village, getting sponsors and much more beside.

What an achievement!

ALL'S well... Good news. The lonely budgie (Village News last week) is lonely no more. He's gone to a good home in Cliddesden.

NEXT week: The ghost Theresa saw.