A Pool-IN-WHARFEDALE church will be ablaze with colour during a busy weekend of celebrations starting tomorrow .

Pool Methodist Church is marking its 90th anniversary with a colourful flower festival, displays and special services from Friday to Monday

Members have decided to commemorate the building of their church - in 1909 - ten years before the centenary to celebrate its role in the community.

Roger Bareham, one of the festival organisers, said: "We thought it was worth doing something this year and of course, we can have another celebration to mark the 100-year anniversary."

Mr Bareham said plans were gathering pace for the grand opening of the occasion by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Graham Kirkland, at 6pm tomorrow.

"A special preview will follow that and then the flower displays will be open to the public for the rest of the weekend and Monday," said Mr Bareham.

"Things are getting very busy and we are looking forward to it. Hopefully lots of people will come to see the displays and we will have an organist in church playing music while they look at them."

An exhibition of old photographs and memories of the village through the years will be on show in one of the church rooms.

A press cutting of the opening of the chapel will form the centrepiece of the anniversary with particular attention to images of the building and Main Street. Arts, crafts and paintings will also be displayed throughout the weekend.

And youngsters are playing their part, with morris dancing pupils from Pool CE Primary School showing off their talents on Saturday morning.

Pool Methodist Church, in Main Street, will be open from 10am to 4pm throughout the weekend and on Monday.

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