St Nicholas Church in Dersingham celebrates 100 years of the BBC with flower show

A church has been celebrating 100 years of the BBC through the medium of flowers.

St Nicholas Church in Dersingham's flower festival, titled 'From Bill & Ben to the Cybermen', ran from last Thursday until Sunday.

The festival had been originally scheduled for 2020 and was intended to celebrate 70 years of television.

But the delay caused by Covid-19 opened up the possibility of celebrating the BBC’s anniversary, allowing the theme to be widened to include both radio and television.

While the organisers came up with some ideas for displays themselves they also had many great ideas submitted to them, showcasing the creativity of all involved.

For instance, the Sunday Night at the Palladium display used Barbie dolls to represent the Tiller Girls.

Anne Hynde who was involved in organising the event, which was in aid of St Nicholas' Church, said the festival’s theme was very popular.

"It was a subject that people could really connect with as it brought back memories," she said.

Visitors were given an i-spy sheet with highlighted details to look for in the display.

Anne’s favourite display was the Period Dramas display which recreated costumes using leaves as it had a great overall impression while also highlighting the beauty of each leaf.

Also at the top of Anne’s list was the Vicar of Dibley display, inspired by the episode in which Reverend Geraldine Granger brings pets and farm animals into the church.

Appropriately, she said lots of dogs visited the festival who were all very well-behaved.

Anne said she was particularly proud of 'the diversity of the people who worked on the flower arrangements'.

People from across the local community got involved in the festival.

Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides contributed to the nautical display while the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts worked together on a nature display involving David Attenborough.

And the turnout was good with Saturday being the best day.

The festival finished on Sunday with an evening church service featuring people’s favourite hymns and Pimms.

Reporting by Amelia Platt