Report and photos by Marilyn Barber

Sonnaz Nooranvary, who has been one of the presenters on BBC TV’s The Repair Shop since 2017, opened Wimborne Minster’s flower festival today.

Entitled Trades- Past & Present – there are 36 displays throughout the church, whose beginnings date back more than 1,300 years. However, 2020 marked the 900th anniversary of the Norman church as we know it today, but the event was postponed by the pandemic.

The festival organiser was Sharon Austin from Carnival Flowers, who was helped by the Minster team, local flower clubs and churches to put together the innovative displays – which include a 1930 Austin Seven loaned by Andrew and Liz Curtis.

Following a welcome from the rector of Wimborne Minster, the Rev Canon Andrew Rowland, and a cry from the town crier Chris Brown, Sonnaz said she was delighted to declare the festival open.

Speaking to Dorset View, Sonnaz, who lives in Colehill and works as an upholsterer from premises in Pamphill said: “I received a random phone call inviting me to audition for the first series. I was very busy with my own business at the time and declined. However, I had a rethink and joined the second series. I run upholstery classes and I think they liked the fact that I can talk and do things at the same time.”

She added that she loves taking part in the programme.

The flower festival is open today until 6pm, on Saturday and Monday from 10am-6pm and on Sunday from 2-6pm.

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