THE Church of the Holy Jesus is marking the 160th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone with a series of events culminating in a flower festival.

The festival, themed on Lydbrook through the ages, will be held in the church from this coming Friday (August 5) to Sunday (August 7) from 10am to 4pm.

One interesting historical curiosity – the church got its name because the foundation stone was laid on the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on August 7, hence the unusual dedication of the church. There is, apparently, only one other church in the UK with the same name.

Along with its own flower festival – everyone is welcome to come along to celebrate this milestone in the church's history – Lydbrook Church is also taking part in the Flower Flower Festival at Gloucester Cathedral.

The Wardens would like to thank Robert Morgan for organising the concerts, Jenny and Mark Westgate and Olwen and Bob Aston for the Cathedral, and all the people who have put in their time and effort into the celebrations in the Grade Two listed building.