Big Visions

Salisbury Cathedral and BBC Wiltshire are teaming up to host a celebration of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19 with a free, fun-filled party in the Cathedral Close. 

To mark the big occasion, the event, which kicks-off at 9am includes a whole range of family friendly entertainment – including a live broadcast of the ceremony on a giant 50ft BBC screen in the Cathedral grounds, as well as activities hosted by Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire Creative and Salisbury Museum.

There will be live music performances from local artists on the BBC Wiltshire stage, a chance for children to write good luck messages to the Royal couple, crown making craft sessions, as well as CBBC activities.  

Canon Edward Probert, Acting Dean of Salisbury, commented, “We are grateful to the BBC for affording us the opportunity to screen the Royal Wedding live here at the Cathedral and to BBC Wiltshire for their support of our city. The place comes into its own when it hosts events like this, allowing the community to come together to celebrate on the Cathedral lawns. It is something we love to see and an opportunity, after recent events, to look forward to the future with confidence as we celebrate the union of Prince Harry and Meghan.”

Mary Sanders, Editor BBC Wiltshire, said, “We are very much looking forward to celebrating the Royal Wedding with everyone in the wonderful city of Salisbury. We’d love people to join us in the grounds of the Cathedral to wish the Royal couple well and enjoy the stunning surroundings with friends and family. It’s been an extraordinary and difficult few months in Salisbury and this is a perfect chance to come together to celebrate and highlight everything that’s fabulous about where we live.” 

Stephanie Marshall, Head, BBC West, added, “BBC Points West is looking forward to working with our colleagues at BBC Wiltshire so our listeners and viewers in the county can get all the fun of the Royal Wedding on their doorstep – while celebrating the fact that the City of Salisbury is open for business after a difficult few months.”

The Cathedral is also hosting other events which should help lift Salisbury after a difficult few months. Next week sees the opening of a message of Les Colombes by multimedia artist Michael Pendry which  features a flock of around 2,500 white origami doves that ‘fly’ the length of the Cathedral nave. The installation opens to the public on Saturday 12 May.

This will stand alongside the installation #SalisburyCityofDoves, a community project inspired by Michael Pendry’s work extends the message across the city.

Originally part of the Cathedral’s New Dawn themed events marking the centenary of the end of World War One, Les Colombes is a timely reminder that the appeal for peace and hope remains as powerful today as it was in 1918.

Les Colombes has been exhibited in Munich, Jerusalem, London, San Francisco and Berlin. At each location Michael Pendry has encouraged community groups and individuals to fold their own doves, which he then includes in future installations.

The Cathedral will be running two drop-in dove-making workshops in the Cathedral from 10.00 – 16.00 on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 May.

More details on both the exhibition and workshops are here.