Floral replica of the Queen's coronation robe unveiled ahead of Salisbury Cathedral’s Flower Festival

Thursday, 5 May 2022 01:00

A replica of the Queen’s coronation robe made of dyed grasses and gilded ferns was unveiled at Salisbury Cathedral this week ahead of the 2022 Flower Festival.

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.

Salisbury Cathedral, Flower Festival preview of Coronation Robe. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster)

The replica robe will be removed and stored until ‘staging’ day – the day on which more than 450 flower arrangers from across the diocese and region including Jersey, will put together the displays ready for opening on Tuesday 10th May.

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.

Salisbury Cathedral, Flower Festival preview of Coronation Robe. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster)

Tickets for Celebration: A Festival of Flowers are on sale via the Cathedral website and, for those looking for a very special experience, tickets to a Festival Preview event on the evening of Monday 9th May are also available here.

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.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.