“Gardens to Delight,” was the theme of a 4 day flower festival showcased at Waddington Street United Reformed Church, Durham during early July 2009, a floral celebration of beauty and creativity.
Church members and local flower clubs combined their artistic skills, coming together to exhibit twenty or more gardens in the church sanctuary, vestibules and other available church spaces. The colourful and imaginative gardens ranged from the 4 seasons gardens to Japanese, Exotic, Rose, and Futuristic gardens, whilst some gardens took biblical themes - Gethsemene, Eden - others mirrored the water lily and Japanese bridge paintings of Monet’s garden in Giverny, France – others still a more natural look and allotment garden. Of special place below the communion table was a memorial green carpet garden, in memory of over 60 family
members and friends, which bore on its surface in cream and gold the URC logo.
A Gala concert commenced the weekend of celebrations, and hospitality together with a warm welcome was made available to many who came to view the exhibits.
The festival was designed by, Kathleen Edmenson, who is well known within Flower Arrangement Societies and her design and participation in church flower festivals.
The church elders were extremely grateful to those whose talents and hard work were displayed in such a wonderful festival. It was their wish that the many people who visited the festival enjoyed their visit and that the arrangements helped to point beyond themselves to the Creator who is the source of all beauty. 
Christians through the centuries have believed that you can learn something of God from the natural world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus himself drew attention to the lilies of the field as living examples of God's care and provision. Here in this local festival, the creativity of the designer and arrangers can be seen as mirroring God's original artistry in creation.
Revd Ray Anglesea