“IT was definitely an Act of God” – that was the verdict of church member John Gardner after Storm Ciara made a dramatic intervention in the St Leonard’s annual Snowdrop Weekend event.
“On the Saturday with the weather mild and relatively calm visitors were able to wander freely around the church and grounds to enjoy the mass of tiny white flowers that had been encouraged into bloom by the recent mild spell of weather,” said John.
“However on the Sunday Storm Ciara struck and the celebrations had to be completely abandoned.”
A tree came crashing down at the back of the church and the car park was littered with debris.
“It meant the area could be a potential danger to anyone coming to the celebrations,” said John.
The main event of the afternoon, which was to have been Deputy Mayor Councillor Gareth Prosser presenting certificates and prizes to the winners of the Children’s Story Competition, had to be abandoned.
So too did the displays put together by volunteers and groups as rain lashed not only Redditch but the entire country with winds of up to 90mph recorded.
The Mothers Union, which had organised all the lunches and cakes were also left with an enormous amount of food on their hands which they were busy distributing on Monday.
“Although we don’t use the Snowdrop Weekend as a major fundraiser we do try to raise some money and our takings will be down by £200 to £300,” added John.
“The snowdrops, however are still the real attraction and will still be in bloom for several weeks however we want want to stress that in the immediate short term it would be best not to visit while we clear up.”
