A HAGLEY church is starting centenary celebrations with a floral festival looking back over 100 years of history.

St Saviour's, Worcester Road, is hosting an event depicting the last ten decades with flower displays, combined with an exhibition of church history.

Preparations have been under way for nearly 12 months to make the festival a memorable start to a series of events throughout the rest of the year.

Parish archivist, Jacky Smith, said: "Many families in Hagley have been associated with the church over the past century.

"There are many good reasons for celebrating the centenary, it's a good excuse for a party and an opportunity to reach out to people in the parish and district, as well as reflect on what has been achieved in the past and on the challenges for the future."

The festival will be opened on Saturday June 14, at 11am, by the Hon Mrs Lucy Kemp-Gee, sister of the present Lord Cobham and great-great niece of Lucy Lyttelton who, as Lady Frederick Cavendish, laid the foundation stone for the church on 1907.

The festival will be open for two days, giving visitors a chance to view the floral displays plus many original documents and photographs tracing the development of the church.

Entrance to the festival will be free, refreshments will be available and visiting musicians will be giving organ recitals during the event.

The church was built on land bought for £300 at the turn of the last century, construction was funded by public subscription and overseen by builder W H Homer.

According to a parish magazine from 1908, Homer's wife said he spent so much time at the site he might as well have taken his bed there.

Among other events to mark the centenary, Karl Jenkins and the Clent Hills Singers will be giving a Mass for Peace concert at the church on Saturday June 28.

For more information, or to book tickets for the peace concert, which will coincide with the dedication of a new Peace Garden, call the church office on 01562 886363.