CONGREGATIONS at five Ryedale village churches are working to create a home-grown flower festival to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June.

The churches in Kirby Misperton, Great Habton, Normanby, Salton and Butterwick are staging their English Country Garden Festival from June 22-24.

Jill Hopkins, of Salton, said: “The idea is to fill the five churches with flowers from local gardens. We want flower arrangers to grow lots of flowers, then use them to decorate their church. But they don’t have to be ace arrangers – tied bunches and posies would be ideal.”

Helping to get the festival off to a good start is horticulturalist John Foxton, plant centre manager at Castle Howard, who will be giving advice on growing flowers in Brawby Village Hall today, at 7.30pm.

Jill Simpson of Kirby Misperton and Great Habton parishes, said: “With John’s help we’re hoping people will be inspired to grow more flowers in their gardens this year.

We have five beautiful country churches – wonderful settings for local garden flowers.”

For more information, phone Mrs Hopkins on 01653 669641.

And plans are underway to hold a party ‘fit for a Queen’ in Malton. A committee has been formed to organise the celebrations for Malton and Norton, with a community event to be held on Monday, June 4, at the rugby club. Norton Town Council is also investigating a permanent memorial of a jubilee clock and plaque on Commercial Street.