OVER £1,000 was raised at the Severnside Support Group of St Peter’s Hospice's 30th anniversary flower festival in Thornbury.


The group, which formed in 1985 to support the Bristol hospice, held a three-day flower festival to celebrate its 30th year and bring their fundraising total to over £331,000.


The festival, themed ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’, attracted crowds of visitors to Thornbury Methodist Church from September 11 to 13.


Chairman of the group Kath Burgess, who is based in Thornbury, said the event was a great success with lots of people visiting and commenting upon the flower displays.


“The Saturday market was well supported and the concert on Saturday evening with Cantanti was superb, if you missed it you missed a real treat,” she said.


“Sunday’s songs of praise was a lovely service, and many nice things were said about the hospice by the Reverend Pete Brazier.


“We have banked a profit of £1,245 and are truly delighted.


“None of this would be possible without the wonderful flower arrangers and all those who supported us over the weekend.


"A huge thank you to everyone involved at the Methodist Church for their help and allowing us to have the festival there."


The group, made up of ten committee members and more volunteers, held the event to mirror their celebrations of the hospice’s 30th birthday seven years ago, which was also a successful flower festival.


Over the weekend, visitors enjoyed a market and coffee morning and a walking treasure hunt around the town as well as numerous floral displays in the church.


Jo Gibbons, head of fundraising at St Peter’s Hospice, said the level of loyalty and commitment shown by the Severnside group over the past 30 years has been amazing.


“The figures they have raised year on year speak for themselves – it’s just brilliant,” she said.


“The group never really has a break, they’re always looking to find a new way to raise money and awareness and try to appeal to people in Thornbury and the surrounding area.


“The fantastic amount of money they raise can go direct to the patients with life-limiting illnesses, and the group is very much a part of the hospice, and can see where the money goes.


“Big thanks to the whole group for their constant dedication, loyalty and hard work.”