The flower and the glory

Heights Church needs displays for the “heaven scent” flower festival

Visitors to a historic hilltop Delph church will be “heaven scent” when an anniversary flower festival fills it with blooms.

The 18th century Heights Church is one of 73 cared for in the North-West by the Churches Conservation Trust, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The building, consecrated in 1768, was originally St Thomas’s, the Friarmere Parish Church, and stands on the hillside above Delph near the hamlet of Grange.

But its remote position led parishioners to close it, reluctantly, in 1963, and move into the daughter church, then called St Hilda’s, in the village centre.

But though it is gone, it is far from forgotten, and regularly opens to visitors, as well as becoming a favourite filming location.

Now caretaker Joan Senior, who regularly greets visitors including hikers and tourists, is hoping surrounding churches will help to fill the church with flowers for the Trust’s anniversary weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

And it’s no small church — there are 11 windows to be decorated as well as The Lord’s Table, baptistery and the vestibule and Joan is hoping for a good response. She is asking for pot plants, cut flowers (with vases, please) and outdoor tubs and troughs (which can all be collected after the event). There is also no water at the church, so exhibitors should take their own.

Joan explained: “There are no pews inside so it is a very large space to fill.

“This is a very busy time in Saddleworth, and I’m worried that we might have a flower festival with very few flowers!”

Joan will be at the church tomorrow to receive the floral displays, and the festival is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm with refreshments on sale, including cakes.

The flower festival will raise the Trust’s profile, encourage people to visit churches such as Heights, and increase much-needed charitable donations.

Churches or organisations which would like to take part can telephone Joan on 01457 874409.

n BBC film crews used Heights in September 2008 for an episode of “Survivors,” and in 2007, Heights was also featured in an ITV drama, “Cold Blood.”