Lovers of floral art and design should head to Salisbury Cathedral between Tuesday 14th and Sunday 19th June during its spectacular and visually stunning six day flower festival.

Internationally renowned floral judge, demonstrator, teacher and Chelsea Gold Medalist (2009) Michael Bowyer is masterminding the design, ably assisted by Pam Lewis and Angela Turner, both also national demonstrators and Chelsea Gold Medalists.

Artistry

They were the trio behind the Cathedral’s last flower festival (2008) which was a runaway success attracting a phenomenal 18,000 visitors and much praise for the quality of its artistry and creativity.

They plan to fill the iconic building with thousands of flowers, colours and fragrance in a mix of amazing contemporary, traditional and interpretative displays, all created by around 500 flower arrangers from churches and flower clubs.

Michael Bowyer said, “This week-long Festival in June is on a massive scale. We have been working for many months putting together some totally original displays. Our integrated and co-ordinated design encompasses not only the whole interior of the Cathedral but also the main entrance areas, the Chapter House and cloister garden. There will be twenty floral banners along the pathways outside the Cathedral. It’s going to be hugely exciting and I can’t wait for people to see it!”

Individual areas

Individual areas of the building are deliberately being treated in different ways and a variety of colours, shapes, styles and sizes. There are two large-scale hanging installations –at the West End and Spire Crossing.

The North Aisle is dedicated to arrangements inspired by quotations from the King James Bible, honouring its 400th anniversary. Interpretative designs created by the Cathedral’s own team of flower arrangers explore the themes of splendour, power, glory and majesty.

The main nave will be awash with colour from an installation of over 150 urns of flowers. Further themes interpreted in floral design are the Cathedral community and famous Cathedral characters. One particular challenge will be to design a special piece inspired by Antony Gormley’s Flare II which will be suspended in the South Transept.

Finally, a group of renowned specialist floral designers will be exhibiting cutting edge designs in the Cathedral’s Morning Chapel.

Magnificent

Mark Elcomb, Chapter Clerk, said “We are delighted that Michael and his colleagues are again designing what will clearly be a magnificent flower festival. We know that many of their designs and stunning installations from 2008 have since been emulated in many different guises in many different locations. Salisbury Cathedral hopes to set a new standard in 2011!”

The Flower Festival will be open daily from 10.00am with last admission at 4.00pm (except for Sunday when the festival opens at 12 noon and closes at 4.00pm).

In preparation for the Flower Festival, the Cathedral will be closed to visitors all day Monday 13 June.

Nursery Fresh

John Waddington of Nursery Fresh Wholesale Flowers says that they have now received over half of the orders from the Flower Arrangers involved in the Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival 2011.

John said;

“With over 500 arrangers involved, in what looks likely to be a superb ‘Floral Extravaganza’, Nursery Fresh will be kept extremely busy for the next few weeks collating and coordinating orders and purchases”.

Where possible, British grown Flowers will be used, as well as imported flowers from growers that have been accredited with the ‘Fair-trade’ mark.

Designers, Michael Bowyer, Pam Lewis and Angela Turner have promised to break new ground in floral design with a mix of traditional, contemporary and interpretive displays.

More information

Salisbury Cathedral News

Nursery Fresh – Wholesale Flowers Salisbury Cathedral Flower Festival Article.

Bridal Flowers Direct – Dedicated to the supply of bridal flowers.