WOOLASTON Methodist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary with a three-day flower festival over the weekend.

On Sunday, a special service was conducted by Gloucestershire’s Methodist Superintendent, the Rev Dr James Tebbutt.

Afterwards, Dr Tebbutt, assisted by 98-year-old church organist Edna Hicks, cut a specially baked birthday cake to mark the church’s milestone of worship and witness.

Edna’s commitment and long service means she has been playing hymns at the Forest of Dean church for 70 years. 

Dr Tebbutt commented:  “This wonderful celebration of flowers and worship for the 150th Anniversary is an opportunity.

“It also celebrates the quiet, but persistent commitment of the church’s leadership and congregation, as week by week, year by year, they faithfully seek to love God and serve their neighbours, for which we give the profoundest thanks.”

The church is now spending £20,000 in bringing its facilities up to standard with the inclusion of disabled access, stairlift and baby changing facilities.

In addition to the weekly fundraising ventures and initiatives by congregation members, the church has previously received a £5,000 grant from Cory Environmental and Gloucestershire Environmental Trust’s Land Fill Tax Communities Fund.