Chichester Festival of Flowers preparations starting to bloom

Preparations for Chichester Cathedral's spectacular Festival of Flowers have taken root.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Oct 2017, 11:41 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:24 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Councillor Elizabeth Hamilton and Robin Hamilton. Pictures by Graham FranksCouncillor Elizabeth Hamilton and Robin Hamilton. Pictures by Graham Franks
Councillor Elizabeth Hamilton and Robin Hamilton. Pictures by Graham Franks

The Dean of Chichester, the Very Revd Stephen Waine, welcomed 160 guests from across Sussex to a fundraising dinner in the Nave of Chichester Cathedral on Wednesday, October 11.

The dinner launched sponsorship for the Cathedral’s biennial Festival of Flowers, planned for 2018.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Guests including the Duchess of Richmond, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Lady Emma Barnard and Lady Helen Broughton.

Hilary and David Tupper. Hilary is chairman of Festival of FlowersHilary and David Tupper. Hilary is chairman of Festival of Flowers
Hilary and David Tupper. Hilary is chairman of Festival of Flowers

The famous British Designer and businesswoman, Emma Bridgewater, also attended the event as patron of the 2018 Festival.

Emma said: “I feel a keen sense of anticipation already for that moment when you step into Chichester Cathedral to find it mystically transformed with the scent, colour and beauty of 50,000 flowers.”

Emptied of usual furniture, the breath-taking architecture of Chichester’s Nave, Chapels, Aisles, Tombs and Transepts will be uniquely revealed adorned with flowers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This glittering evening is thought to be the first fundraising dinner – actually held in the Cathedral Nave - for many centuries.

The 2014 Festival of Flowers at Chichester CathedralThe 2014 Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral
The 2014 Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral

Details of the 80 arrangements which will interpret the Festival theme ‘This Earthly Paradise’, some as large as 20ft long and 12ft high, were shared with guests.

Festival Designer, Jose Morum-Pound, explained how the exciting designs will celebrate plant hunting, botany, horticulture and conservation, celebrating the plants which gave the continents their unique identity.

Chichester Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers is organised by Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Trust, attracting 15,000 visitors and has raised approximately £1million towards the cost of restoration work at Chichester Cathedral over the past 20 years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Ali George, Mark Powell, Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, Sarah and Ian BuckleyAli George, Mark Powell, Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, Sarah and Ian Buckley
Ali George, Mark Powell, Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust, Sarah and Ian Buckley

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver

Jose Pound, festival designer and Kay Mowlam, Design Team.Jose Pound, festival designer and Kay Mowlam, Design Team.
Jose Pound, festival designer and Kay Mowlam, Design Team.

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Sussex