Two island churches hosted events that evoked memories of childhood in May.

St Peter’s Church in Seaview was transformed into a vibrant, petal-powered time machine for its annual flower festival. This year’s theme, ‘The Joy of Childhood’, brought back nostalgia and drew hundreds of smiling visitors through its doors. From start to finish, the energy was electric, the scents were heavenly, and the creativity was amazing.

The festivities kicked off on Friday night with a grand opening event. Guests mingled among the displays, enjoying delicious canapés and raising a glass of wine to celebrate the launch. And there was a great parting gift – everyone went home clutching a bag of old-fashioned children’s sweeties. From chocolate mice to flying saucers, it was a delicious, sugary trip down memory lane that had the adults reminiscing just as much as the kids.

Stationed right in the porch, Tula’s Tree became the emotional heart of the festival. It was named after Tula Hunt, a five-year-old Seaview girl who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia. She came home from hospital for the week and visited the flower festival with her family. Children and adults alike paused to write heartfelt messages and draw colourful pictures on tags, hanging them lovingly from the branches of her tree.

The vicar, the Rev Karen Wilson, said: “We were absolutely delighted that Tula and her family joined us over the weekend, adding their very own beautiful messages and drawings to the collection. The tree stood as a moving testament to our wonderful community spirit.

“A massive, heartfelt shout-out must go to our incredible flower arranging Team. They truly outdid themselves, turning the church interior into a breathtaking extravaganza of blooms.

“Every corner of the building burst with colour, with each display cleverly capturing the whimsical essence of childhood. On Sunday morning, we held a special Flower Festival Service, giving the congregation a chance to officially thank the team for the countless hours of hard work, lifting heavy buckets, and artistic genius they poured into the event.”