Open Day at Christ Church. Working Lives in Bloom: Flower Festival and Heritage. Saturday 19 September 2026, 1pm–4pm. FREE event.
Christ Church and the Community Centre @ Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3HG
Christ Church in Old Town, Swindon, is inviting the local community to step back in time and discover the stories of the town through flowers at Working Lives in Bloom – A FlowerFestival and Heritage Open Day on Saturday 19 September.
The event will bring together:
- local organisations
- community groups and …
- … flower arrangers to celebrate the everyday working lives and trades that have helped shape the history of the town.
The church and adjacent community centre will undergo a transformation. There’ll be colourful floral displays inspired by the event’s theme. From butchers and bakers to candle makers and other local trades, the displays will explore the occupations and organisations that have played a part in the community’s history.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the Grade II* listed 1851 church and its grounds. Guided tours will include:
- the church itself
- its remarkable stained glass
- the bell tower and the surrounding historic churchyard that contains more than twenty-three war graves.
Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon, alongside craft stalls featuring local makers.
Flower Arranging Competition
As part of the event, a Flower Arranging Competition is open to everyone, with four classes:
- Window Display: Jobs that Shaped Our Town
- Pedestal Class: Working Together
- Table Exhibit: Market Town Place
- Children’s Class: Baker’s Basket
Entry is open to all, and participants can enter by downloading the Flower Festival Entry Form and following the instructions for their chosen class.
For further information and Flower Festival competition entry forms:
https://ccccswindon.co.uk/page/posts/400
A spokesperson for Christ Church said: ‘Working Lives in Bloom is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the history of our local community in a creative and accessible way. Flowers will help us tell the stories of the people, trades and organisations that have shaped Old Town and Swindon, while the Heritage Open Day gives visitors a chance to discover more about our beautiful church and its fascinating history.’
The event is suitable for all ages and offers something for everyone. Whether visitors are have an interest in local history, architecture, flowers, and crafts. Or simply enjoying a relaxed afternoon in the heart of Old Town.
See also:
