Stowmarket cross festival sparks creativity at St Peter and St Mary’s Church

A community-driven festival has displayed 297 crosses in a town’s church to celebrate Easter.

The team at Stowmarket Parish Church are hosting their first ever Cross Festival at St Peter and St Mary’s Church inspired by their popular Christmas Tree Festival.

Both festivals see communities, businesses, organisations and families create and donate their own designs which form an exhibition throughout the church.

Organiser Judy Eden said: “We’re very pleased with how it’s all gone.

“It’s all about people in town working together and putting on something the whole community can enjoy.

“There’s been a little bit of uncertainty around the event considering it’s the first one - but it’s all worked out really well.

“We were in church on Friday and people just kept coming in with their crosses and it was really great to see everyone getting involved.”

The Cross Festival is running for two weeks across the school holidays and will finish on Saturday, April 15.

Organisations to take part in the festival include the Women’s Institute, First Stowmarket Brownies, Chilton Meadows care home, Stowmarket schools, the Osier café, Stowmarket Stories, Footprints theatre company as well as individuals and families.

One stand out cross came from the Christian Motorcycle Association which constructed a design using a tyre and various motorbike parts.

Another on display is a prayer cross which allows visitors to attach their own messages and prayers to the cross.

Judy added: “It’s a good feeling to walk into the church and see the variety of crosses on display.

“We’re hoping to see even more visitors come along over the Easter holidays.

“People can come in, have a wander around the crosses and then grab a refreshment in the café.”

The church is also hosting an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, April 8.

The event costs £2 to enter and will run from 10am until noon with no one going home empty handed.