ABOUT 150 people attended the final event of an alternative gardening festival in Henley.
A family fun day took place at Bosley Patch at Swiss Farm to mark to close of Chelsea Fringe Henley, which ran for three weeks.
The event had a Matisse theme and included a living version of the artist?s painting The Snail with a wooden frame filled with flowers including sweet William, hesperus and black elderflower that were collected by children. There were talks by Sarah Smith, a medical herbalist based at the Red Lion Hotel in Henley, and Clare Foster, who is garden editor of Home & Garden magazine.
Acoustic guitarist Dan Austen, of St Mark?s Road, Henley, performed and there was a barbecue, tea and cakes and garden plants for sale.
Tamsin Borlase, a market gardener who organised the event, said: ?It was a huge success. There were a lot of smiling faces and we?re hoping to run it again next year.
?The children had a wonderful time creating the artwork and the final result was better than I could have imagined.?
Jo Wise, of Floral Circus at Oakley Wood Farm, near Benson, organised a floral couture and cocktails evening as part of the festival.
A model wore an outfit made from plants, including a skirt made of copper beech, sweet William and peonies and a veil of black cornflowers and gypsophila.
Guests enjoyed fresh flower cocktails and canapés while being entertained by flamenco dancing.
Mrs Wise, from Swyncombe, said: ?I came across a Matisse painting called The Spaniard a while ago and it stuck with me.
?The lady in the painting seemed to have a story to tell and I could see her covered in flowers. It was so exciting to see the idea come to life.?
