VILLAGERS are invited to take part in fundraising events being held to support floral celebrations marking an historic milestone at St Oswald’s Church.

Lower Peover is celebrating 750 years since St Oswald’s was founded with a ‘Celebration with Flowers’ from July 5 to 8.

In 1269 a chapel of Ease was built at Lower Peover on the site where the church now stands, by Richard Grosvenor, who lived at Hulme Hall, and this site has been a place of worship ever since.

Throughout the four-day flower festival the church will be decorated by Knutsford Floral Design Club, which will be creating flower arrangements depicting significant dates in the church’s history.

On Friday, July 5 at 7.30pm, a concert will be held in St Oswald’s, with entertainment provided by soprano Linda Richardson.

In addition Warrington Male Voice Choir, one of England’s oldest choirs, will be singing a selection of songs.

Fifty years ago, when Lower Peover celebrated 700 years since St Oswald’s was founded, a 7th centenary pageant about the history of the church and the village, known as the Peover Saga, was held in the grounds of St Oswald’s.

A film of the Peover Saga will be projected on screen during the ‘Celebration with Flowers’.

On Saturday, July 6 St Oswald’s will be holding the annual church fete, starting at 12pm.

On Sunday, July 7 at 11am there will be a special service at St Oswald’s to commemorate 750 years since it was founded, with guest preacher the Reverend Canon Dr Christopher Burkett, Director of Ministry, Diocese of Chester.

Refreshments will be available throughout the festival.

A festival committee spokesman said: “We are delighted and proud to be hosting ‘A Celebration with Flowers’ to commemorate the 750th anniversary since St Oswald’s was founded in 1269, and to celebrate the history of our beautiful church.”

To raise funds for the celebration a number of events will be taking place.

These include a pudding and quiz evening on March 28 at 7.30pm at Plumley Village Hall, and a walk between St Oswald’s Church, Lower Peover and St Lawrence’s Church, Over Peover, and back again, on the morning of May 11, followed by refreshments.