A CHURCH tucked away in the folds of the Devon countryside is playing host to its very  own flower festival celebrating the work of a former incumbent

Keble Martin was archpriest at the  little church of St. Blaise in Haccombe. Although a humble parish priest he was academically in botany was also a talented self-taught artist. After serving as an army chaplain during World War 1 and returning home safely to his wife and children in Yorkshire he promptly from the industrial north for a healthier life in South Devon.

Here ,as the new vicar of the quiet parishes of Haccombe and Coffinswell, he at last had time to indulge his passion for plants and illustrate a book.  

The The Concise British Flora in Colour was published in 1965 becoming a surprise best seller. From life as a quiet retired parson at the age of 88 years, the Reverend William Keble Martin was rather reluctantly thrown into the limelight as a celebrity.  

For the next two days (Saturday June, 1 and Sunday, June 2), the church is opening its doors to visitors from 2pm to 4pm as it concludes a week-long flower festival in the 13th century church.

The festival comprises  local wild flowers donated by the valley’s land owners, as well as spectacular displays of cultivated blooms, generously provided by award winning local growers, Amelia’s Flower Farm and Orchid Paradise. 

Entry is free, with tea and coffee, available and also on sale is a new colour guide book to St Blaise featuring the incredible history of  the ancient place, often referred to as a Miniature Westminster Abbey.