The heady scent of flowers and the sweet aroma of fresh baking filled St John’s Church, Midsomer Norton, last weekend. ‘Sacred & Sublime’, a celebration in Flowers, by Farmborough Floral Art Group, was a Flower Festival marking the 25th Anniversary of Fr Christopher Chiplin’s incumbency at St John’s and his 40th Anniversary of ordination to the Priesthood.

Over 400 people flocked to the Parish Church over the weekend to admire the floral artistry of the talented FFAG and enjoyed musical entertainment and delicious refreshments in the cool, airy space that has been created, thanks to Fr Christopher’s vision and enterprise during his tenure at St John’s.

The theme of the floral arrangements was Ministry. Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Healing were among the aspects of Fr Christopher’s vocation that were represented in flowers with imagination and ingenuity. Colourful cakes, good enough to eat, represented the huge amount of catering that takes place in St John’s, and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to fund the restoration and refurbishment of the church over the last twenty-five years.

The weekend culminated in a celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday morning, at which Fr Christopher presided, assisted by six clergy with whom he has shared a personal ministry. His brother, Fr Huw Chiplin, vicar of St Matthew’s, Olympia, London, preached a warm and poignant sermon reflecting on the vocation of the priesthood and Christopher’s 25 years in Midsomer Norton.

The service was especially emotional as a few weeks ago, Fr Christopher announced that he would be retiring in the autumn.

After a champagne reception in church, a lunch for the 200 who had attended the service – family, friends and congregation, past and present (which by the nature of their friendship fell into both categories) was put on by the PCC and well-experienced Social Committee.

Fr Christopher was presented with an espalier Red Windsor, apple tree and a voucher for a ‘Rambling Rector’ rose. Despite not being a Rector, and never being accused of rambling, both plants will fit perfectly into the garden of the house in Salisbury where he and his wife, Diane, will be retiring.

The success of the Flower Festival has enabled £1,000 to be sent to St Steven’s House, the Theological College in Oxford, where Fr Christopher trained for the ministry.

Fr Christopher said: “It was a joy to witness the happy atmosphere in St John’s over the weekend, as so many people relaxed, caught up with friends and enjoyed themselves. Thank you to everyone who supported the Flower Festival in so many different ways.”