ST PETER'S CHURCH BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

FLOWER FESTIVAL '200 years reflected in Flowers'

This was a celebration of the bicentenary of St Peter's Church through its worshipping parishioners past and present and its place in the Market Square of Portlaoise town, previously named Maryborough.    The thirty-four exhibits were themed by way of reflection on the church's 200 year history and individual arrangements, sponsored in memory of loved ones, structured to harmonise with the existing church ambience and design.      Beginning outside, with the years '1804 - 2004' depicted in flowers on the main entrance, a donkey's cart represented 'transport through the ages', while ushering forward the development of technology a 1936 Bentley portrayed 'arriving in style'.  The multitude of visitors were then drawn through floral art and creativity, into a linking of Church and people, past and present, with recognition of contributions made by members of the community over the years.      An exhibition of lace/lace making by Mary Coleman and Janet Halligan; a collection of hand-made, native Irish timber craft by mother and son Anne and Brian Hendrick and photographic display by Ian Hutchinson, as well as a garden fair with flower arranging demonstrations also featured.      Our thanks and appreciation to Mrs Phyllis Clegg (co-ordinator) and her committee, to members of the Lions Club, to Mrs Anne Coe (artistic director) and to all the many contributors from parish, town and further afield for this fabulous focus of our bicentenary celebrations.