Killinchy Silver Band

As promised in my last post here are some photos of our great musicians who played at the Closing Service.I'm still hoping to get photos of the lovely ladies who were behind the scenes in the kitchen! The Killinchy Silver Band had been playing in the church during the Flower Festival,  they are very talented musicians and their music is enjoyed by young and old. Irene McIlveen (red jacket) is the conductor who keeps this merry band under control!   As you can see it was a tight squeeze in Kilmood but that did not affect the music which was great because here in Kilmood we love to sing with gusto! These photos were taken by Olive with her film camera. So if anyone has photos that are not digital they can still feature on the blog just pass them onto one of the committee members.    

 

Closing the Festival

Last night was sunny and warm and the Kilmood area was busy with people coming back to the church for the closing service at 7pm. The service was lead by the Area Dean the Reverend Willie Dixon and the address was given by Reverend Ray Devenney who had been a minister in the parish for 19 years about 10 years ago.Looking around the church I recognised many  members of other churches in the area as well as our own parishioners The church was full to capacity so when Killinchy Silver Band led by Irene McIlveen started to play, the congregation rose to the challenge and sang with great gusto! Again we remembered the Reverend Allen Delamere, the man who suggested this event but sadly did not live to see the final outcome. As the church emptied everyone headed for the marquees where they were treated to tea and coffee and delicious cakes and tray bakes. The community spirit is truly alive and well here in Co Down.  Meanwhile, the Sexton's cottage was bathed in the evening sun. More photos to follow in the next post!

And on the 3rd day...

Just back from putting out the cards in the Sexton's cottage and making a price label for the lovely handmade brooches Alison's friend Heather has donated. They would make lovely presents for friends! Apparently yesterday afternoon we had soda farls and pancakes being made by Freddie Strickland. Joan tells me orders had to be taken and written down to make sure everyone got the number of freshly baked farls they had ordered!
The flowers in the church are still as fresh and magnificent as they were on Friday so if you haven't visited yet there is still time. The closing service is not until 7pm.

If you like to take photos, the outside of the cottage is very picturesque and even more so today as we have been lent a vintage black bicycle with a basket decorated with fresh flowers. I'm thinking it would make a lovely subject for a painting! Alison Cook has just posted me a great photo she took earlier this morning with her Blackberry so here it is for you to enjoy ! Better still pop round for tea and cakes and a walk through our church Flower Festival and get your photo taken with the bicycle........mmm a perfect Sunday.

Statistics!

Just thought I'd let you know some numbers!

United Kingdom

436

United States

20

France

6

Ireland

3

Panama

2

Germany

1

Norway

1

Above is the breakdown of views by country for this week.
We have had 1169 page views since we started  and 838 page views last month .
We'd like to thank you for looking at our blog and hope you will continue to view it over the next few weeks.

A Great Opening!

Despite the weather we had a very busy day! The opening service was well attended and Lady Eames cut the ribbon to announce that the Flower Festival was well and truly open. The arrangements looked splendid and many visitors commented on the vibrancy of the colours and the originality of the designs. Well done Heather! The coaches brought visitors from further afield  and many local folk came in their droves. We were delighted that the well honed catering team coped well with those who had booked  lunches and high teas.

 Inside the living room in the cottage

 Cutting the ribbon

 The cottage minus it's chimney

A busy time for all in one of the two marquees

The Sexton's cottage was open for the plant sale in one room and the baking of soda bread and card sales were in the other. It was hard to believe that it was just about 12 weeks of a make-over with many long hours by a few hardy and dedicated volunteers! Do pop in tomorrow from 10am to 9pm and you will be made most welcome.

Rain Drops

Rain drops may be falling on our heads but our spirit is undaunted! Work continued to day on the Sexton's cottage (AKA St Mary's Lodge) and I noted that the grass in front of the cottage had grown overnight! The marquee's are up and decorated with bunting all handmade by parishioners recycling left over material.
Work on the floral displays was continuing and I have to say they are amazing. Heather let me take a few pics to give you a taste of what is to come  when you make your visit!

Work goes on between the showers!

Today I find a church full of flowers sitting in buckets of water etc awaiting their final destination. Bunting is being sewn as I write this post and  work on the lodge continues.   Windows have been painted ,walls are being pointed etc. Meanwhile in kitchens around the parish favourite recipes for scones are being selected ready for the big baking session later this week! We could be in the 1950's if it wasn't for the mobile phones!

 Find us with Sat Nav BT23 6SA, Kilmood Church Road .  For map and directions - Look at Blog archive on right dated Feb 29th

The brochure has arrived!

The Flower Festival brochure is an important feature since it gives information about what's happening over the three days and also provides an opportunity for  local businesses to advertise. Our brochure is now back from the printers and all agree that Emma Majury has done a brilliant job in putting together all the necessary information in a booklet that combines creative design and clarity. Today I managed to snap a photo of Emma checking out the brochure with her trusty computer in the background. Do hope you will enjoy your copy of the brochure when you come on your visit! Check out Emma's own website for examples of her art work on www.emmamajury.co.uk

 Find us with Sat Nav BT23 6SA, Kilmood Church Road .  For map and directions - Look at Blog archive on right dated Feb 29th

Hot off the press!

Just a note to let you know there will be a little shop in aid of church funds where  you can see soda bread being made . Maybe you will want to take some home for that low calorie breakfast with bacon and eggs! Or try some of our  jam with it , do let us know how you like your soda bread!

Have just finished some cards for the shop so thought I'd take a photo of some of them  just to let you see them before you come and visit us. Hope you like them. The one with the window is a photo of our lovely Margery Glendinning Memorial window. We are proud of our stained glass windows  and enjoy them especially when the sun shines through them on a Sunday morning!

 Find us with Sat Nav BT23 6SA, Kilmood Church Road .  For map and directions - Look at Blog archive on right dated Feb 29th

Marigolds that won't be in the displays!

There are lots of other jobs to be done and marigolds are essential! Today Alison and Dorothy rose to the challenge to spruce up the church gates prior to the wedding that was taking place at 1 o'clock! Alison gave me one of the brochures designed and printed for our visitors and sponsors. It looks fantastic so I'll post it tomorrow oops! I 've just seen the clock and see it is already today! Will post later today zzzzzzzz.

Do check it out!Find us with Sat Nav BT23 6SA, Kilmood Church Road .  For map and directions - Look at Blog archive on right and Feb 29th

Restoration Man here in Kilmood!

On Friday met with Fergus Rooney Stone Mason  and his the team who are working on the Sexton's Cottage by day and today met with the dedicated volunteers who rise to the challenge in the evenings and on their days off! All are passionate about the restoration of this time capsule and hope you will enjoy seeing it for yourself. Above are volunteers Robin, Don and Mervynas seen today!

If you want to find out more about the stone mason see Fergus Rooney's website http://www.artofstoneireland.co.uk/


Do check it out!Find us with Sat Nav BT23 6SA, Kilmood Church Road For map and directions - Look at Blog archive on right and Feb 29th