Marion's embroidery on show at St Michael's

It's the stunning creativity and expertise of Marion Cantrell who sees the Flower and Embroidery Festival during September 24-29 as an opportunity for celebration and thanksgiving but also a chance to bring together her lifetime's work in one place.

"There is an incredible amount to give thanks for, " said Marion as she prepares for the exhibition which will also feature flowers organised by Jan Sparkes.

"When you start looking back you really appreciate not only what you have achieved but the opportunities you have had."

The exhibition will show a wide range of the embroidery she has done for different churches not only in Bexhill but around the country '“ she has already been to Brighton, Upminster and Oxford as well as Nottingham to borrow back items she worked on in the past.

"Gathering everything together is like welcoming friends back home," she commented.

There will be six copes, which are processional vestments, in the exhibition, including one from St Peter's Church which is stone-coloured silk decorated with metallic fabrics and threads; the item was commissioned by Charters Ancaster School when it closed as a lasting gift to the church. The exhibition will also have three Mothers' Union banners, one of which she worked on while at church furnishers Louis Gross in London in 1970. There will be an amazing 18 stoles, worn by the celebrant during the eucharist service, and two chasubles, which are the principal vestment of the eucharist.

Marion has not exhibited her personal work and achievement in this way before although as leader of the Vestry Sewing Guild she contributed to a display at St Peter's church of Signs and Symbols in Christian Worship at the suggestion of Canon Michael Townroe in the late 1970's.

St Michael's church is an ideal place for the exhibition to be '“ Marion will show her work against the backdrop of the east wall hangings she completed in 1997, comprising 2,010 patchwork pieces, while she also designed the east wing window, which was the idea of the Reverend Robin Tree, and features a central dove, angels' wings and haloes. She is waiting now for the time she has collected all the pieces for the show and begins to organise their actual display.

Marion said: "I am looking forward to seeing how things blend together '“ you have so much in your mind as to how things will go, or where they will be, but at the last minute you have to think on your feet and maybe readjust."

The Flower and Embroidery Festival will be open at St Michael's and All Angels on Wednesday September 24 at midday until 5pm.

On Thursday and Friday the exhibition can be seen from 10-5pm.

On Saturday viewing times will be from 10-5pm then 7-9pm, and on Sunday from midday until 5pm. The final day will be Monday September 29 when the exhibition can be seen from 10-4pm followed by 7.30pm with a Sung Eucharist for St Michael's Day.

Refreshments and stalls will be available in the church halls at the weekend, and there will also be a sales table supporting the work of Moorfields Eye Hospital. Most of the proceeds otherwise will go to the provision of better disabled access to the church.