Flower Festival underway at Salisbury Cathedral

Created by flower arrangers from the Salisbury Cathedral Flowers team, the robe was installed temporarily in front of the altar, where it will stand with a specially crafted orb, sceptre and crown for the duration of the festival. 

Behind the robe, an altar cloth created out of fabric used during the 1953 Coronation service in Westminster Abbey covers the High Altar. The blue and gold cloth was found recently having been hidden away in a Cathedral chest for over a decade. 

The replica robe was removed and stored until ‘staging’ day – the day on which more than 450 flower arrangers from across the diocese and region including Jersey, put together the displays ready for opening. 

Celebration: A Festival of Flowers has been designed by Michael Bowyer, Salisbury Cathedral’s Creative Director of Flowers, and floral designers Angela Turner and Pam Lewis. The theme, Celebration, references the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Cathedral’s past and present – along with a host of other reasons to rejoice. 

Tickets for Celebration: A Festival of Flowers are on sale via the Cathedral website. For those looking for an exclusive experience, early morning tours with a designer followed by breakfast in the Refectory are also on sale. Check the website for further details. Groups (10 people or more) interested in visiting the festival should contact groups@salcath.co.uk or phone 01722 512156. 

For any other enquiries or further information contact Marie Thomas on 07857 144691 or m.thomas@salcath.co.uk