CELEBRATIONS to mark the 75th anniversary of St Philips' Church in Stubbins will end with a spectacular four day festival with flowers.

All year the church has been holding events, including a film night and a 1920s bazaar as well as special services to celebrate the anniversary.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend the church will be ablaze with colour as intricate flower arrangements are used to reflect the past and present of the 1927 church building.

Church warden, John Arnott explained: "The theme of the festival is old and new with many flower displays featuring themes since the church was first consecrated. Lavish flower arrangements are being prepared by local organisations and companies including The National Trust, Edward Turnbull and Sons, TNT, Voith Fabrics and Stubbins Primary School.

"The festival with flowers will be the church's biggest fund-raising event for five years."

St Philip's Church was built thanks to the efforts of two local textile manufacturing families, the Porritts and the Turnbulls.

A building fund was established in 1909, with William Turnbull as treasurer. In 1924, a three day bazaar in Edenfield School raised a staggering £2,226. Colonel Porritt donated land for the church. And on June 5, 1926, the foundation stone was laid by Mrs Austin Porritt.

Finally in the following year, parishioners could leave their Mission Room on Stubbins Street, which they had used for worship for the last twenty years. The church, costing £6,600, was consecrated on May 28 1927.

The church hall followed some years later and was built by the Hillary Brothers of Ramsbottom at a cost of £1,380. The foundation stone was laid by William Turnbull and the opening ceremony was performed by Austin Porritt on May 20, 1933. It was dedicated the following week.

Historical aspects of the church today include the East Window which depicts Christ as the good shepherd, flanked by St Philip and St Bartholomew. The window together with the oak altar and frontals, the oak eagle lectern and the alabaster pulpit. The oak choir stalls were provided by the Turnbull family.

The altar rails were erected by public subscription in memory of the Reverend Bevan who was curate at Edenfield.

In 1935 the church was re-decorated for the first time and an oak reredos was erected in memory of Benjamin Turnbull by his widow. The oak panelling in the sanctuary and credence table were provided by William Turnbull in memory of his mother,

In 2000 a programme to refurbish the altar frontals, which dated back to when the church was first built, together with other similar aged items was also started and is ongoing.

Mr Arnott said: "Over the past 75 years numerous memorial gifts have been made by members of the congregation to beautify this house of God. The result is the well ordered and desirably furnished church which will be beautifully decorated on the Bank Holiday weekend to commemorate its 75th anniversary."

Over the four days of the August Bank Holiday, the church hall will be decked with old-fashioned style bunting. There will be crafts stalls, glass and china, home produce, local pottery and a children's corner.

The festival with flowers will start on Friday (Aug 23) at noon until 7pm; Saturday (Aug 24) at 11am to 6pm; Sunday noon until 5pm and finally on Bank Holiday Monday from 11am until 4pm.

Admission by programme is £1 10 shillings or £1.50, accompanied children are admitted free.

There will also be a number of special services over the Bank Holiday weekend.