The efforts of many people were rewarded all as St. John's Church in Pembroke Dock opened its flower festival entitled 'Our Town', one of the official events marking the town's bicentenary year. Chief organiser, Rosemary Allen, said: "All of our hard work really paid off and through the event we showed how eager we are to reach out to our community with care, compassion and love. Our place of worship this week has been filled with fellowship, faith, music, fun and much good food! I reckon we served 120 lunches and probably three times as much cake, coffee and tea! We've made new friends, caught up with old friends plus a few who used to worship at St. John's. We've shared embraces, shed and shared some tears. There has been sadness and nostalgia but also a great deal of joy. All in all, it has been a week to remember. On behalf of Hylda Thomas and I, may I thank all the contributors for their wonderful arrangements and displays. To everyone who has helped in whatever way they could, especially the behind the scenes helpers without who this would not have come together, thank you." Throughout the week, many visitors came and sampled the happiness which accompanied the whole festival; these came from as far afield as Australia and the USA, some who visited were just passing by on their way to or from the ferry terminal. The event was a major undertaking with members of the congregation working as a united team for the church and the town. It is also the third bicentenary celebration event to be contributed by the United Parish of Pembroke Dock. Parish clergy Rev. Nicky Skipworth and Rev. Caroline Mansell said: "What a great success! It was a delight to see people pouring through the doors of our cherished place of worship and meeting the living stones, the ordinary people who make up the church family. The colour, the texture, the fragrance, the sheer beauty of the floral displays and the quality of the welcome was really impressive; we were very pleased to support the event. Well done to everyone involved, thank you to all who visited and to the bicentenary planning group, especially Clr. Pamela George, for their support." The week came to a close on the Sunday evening with a very well-attended service of Songs of Praise combining popular hymns, readings and a time of prayer which saw members of the congregation place a flower in a vase to symbolise their prayer to God. This produced quite a display, a suitable conclusion to a week which showed the power and beauty which comes from Christians working together with others in service of the wider community.