THE BANK holiday weekend will no doubt have seen a few flower shows in the region but perhaps none as unusual as one in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

The Methodist Church in the village hosted a festival of flowers from May 23 to May 26 entitled 'Yorkshire Folk'.

A total of fifteen of Yorkshire's most famous sons and daughters provided the themes for individual floral displays on show in the church.

The event was organised to raise money to pay for the refurbishment of the building which was completed last year.

Organiser of the event Sylvia Robinson also came up with the idea for the festival. "I got the idea from a sampler that I sewed. It was for the Millenium and featured landmarks of Yorkshire and some famous people from the area. When I was asked to do a flower festival, I thought 'Yorkshire Folk' would be a good idea," she said.

It certainly seems to have been. The event had many visitors and it is hoped to have raised well over £1000 for the church refurbishment fund.

Display number one was inspired by the daring Rylstone Calendar Girls. The members of Rylstone Women's Institute who bared all for a calendar to raise money for leukaemia research were elegantly depicted by a nude statuette surrounded by yellow flowers and standing on a crocheted tablecloth. A stand of home-baked cakes represented some of the work of the WI.

The infamous Guy Fawkes was portrayed by a gunpowder barrel with fiery blooms behind it. A trail of ash and bits of burnt wood gave further clues to his identity.

A stunning display of white roses represented Dickie Bird - much loved and recently retired Yorkshire cricketer and umpire. A white cap and cricket bat as well as a set of stumps completed the tribute.

The displays were placed around the church with the altar also put to use to display an amazing floral tribute to the Bronte sisters. Three cut out figures representing the sisters were surrounded by purple blooms and an open book complete with a bookmark made of flowers revealed the work of the sisters.

Composer Frederick Delius was depicted by flowers encircled by a wire treble clef and bass clef, a model of a bi-plane was used in the Amy Johnson display, moorland flowers and a black cat represented Percy Shaw and his invention of cats eyes, Sir Titus Salt had a display that included woven leaves and a shuttle. The Parish Church loaned their lectern made by 'mouseman' Robert Thompson for the tribute to him.

Space woman Helen Sharman was the subject of a display with a floral depiction of the moon, a planet and a space rocket as centrepiece.

Artist David Hockney was next in the floral hall of fame, with an interpretation of his talents which was made solely of flowers.

John Harrison, inventor of the marine clock, was depicted by a boat made from flowers and leaves and flowers from all over the globe - including peppers.

J B Priestley had a display of white lilies and roses to represent his Yorkshire roots while Captain Cook had a huge handmade wooden boat to portray his travels.

And last but not least Otley's own Thomas Chippendale was there in the form of colourful flowers, a replica chair and a set of tools.

Dorothy Carroll and friend Meryl Turton travelled from Bingley to see the festival. Mrs Carroll said: "It is excellent. The flower arrangers have really captured the individuals in their work. The displays really depict the story they are telling, the famous people are an integral part of each display."

Frances and David Wood of Bramley also travelled especially to see the displays. Mrs Wood said: "They are wonderful, a really unusual theme."

The flower festival was funded by sponsors and all the displays were created by churches in Burley-in-Wharfedale and members of Ilkley Flower Club.

Organiser Mrs Robinson said: "The festival has gone brilliantly well - definitely a success. I'm really relieved - it has been eighteen months in the planning."