A FLOWER festival was held at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater to celebrate its newly installed bells. 

The festival was held between Thursday, June 9 and Sunday, June 12. 

It marked the end of a two-year project to increase the number of bells at the church from eight to 13.

Bridgwater Town Council's preview of the event said: “We are excited to welcome you to a floral celebration of Bridgwater’s newly installed bells.

“All proceeds from donations will go towards supporting St Mary’s work in the community.” 

The festival featured “contributions by lots of wonderful people of all ages across the community” and tower tours. 

There was also a café offering refreshments to attendees.

The church has been able to purchase and install new bells thanks to a mammoth fundraising effort

There has also been work on new sound-proofing measures and towards making the tower carbon-neutral.

History was made in August 2021 when a ‘ring of 12’ sounded from the church for the first time. 

The project originated at a Tower Officer’s meeting in 2012, and work began when the bells were removed from the tower in December 2019.

Gallery: Flower Festival at St Mary's Church

Bridgwater Mercury: Dilys and Michael Reed at St Mary's Church on Saturday for the Flower Festival. Pictures: Steve RichardsonDilys and Michael Reed at St Mary's Church on Saturday for the Flower Festival. Pictures: Steve Richardson

Bridgwater Mercury: Richard Lee, Margaret Lee, and Tracy Rolph.Richard Lee, Margaret Lee, and Tracy Rolph.

Bridgwater Mercury: Kate Bennett and Diane Adams.Kate Bennett and Diane Adams.

Bridgwater Mercury: Delphine Hucker, Doreen Govier, and Heather Prosser.Delphine Hucker, Doreen Govier, and Heather Prosser.

Bridgwater Mercury: John Bates and Tony Shearsby.John Bates and Tony Shearsby.

Bridgwater Mercury: Carol Kent and Hazel Temlett outside the church on Saturday.Carol Kent and Hazel Temlett outside the church on Saturday.