Exeter Cathedral - Majesty Flower Festival

A jubliant celebration in Exeter Cathedral which aims to mark the Diamond Julbillee of HM The Queen with a spectacular flower festival in its historic and beautifully atmospheric building. The funds raised will go specifically towards the restoration of the Cathedral Organ originally built in 1665 and the Cathedral Library.

The theme of the event "Majesty" will involve some 260 flower arrangers from around the county and contributing to this event, along with Cathedral flower arrangers. The massive display with include a wonderful flower carpet stretching the length of the Nave.

It is anticipated that the ‘journey’ to view all the displays inside the Cathedral will take approximately 2 hours.

Artistic Concept :
A memorable and magnificent flower festival has been planned celebrating the main constituent parts of the Cathedral, to include the spiritual and secular facets of the work of the Cathedral, its music, the building and fabric and its libary and archives.

This will most certainly be a Flower Festival with a difference, in that it will be ‘designed’ in-house by Nicky Wright, Artistic Director, using flower arrangers from the Cathedral itself, many of whom are teachers and demonstrators, including at least one national judge.

Nicky is a Chelsea Silver Gilt Medallist. She started her floristry career at Bicton College attaining Level 2 National Certificate in Floristry (with Distinction) along with various other floristry design awards. Other participants are being drawn from NAFAS (The National Association of Flower Arrangers), Flower Arrangers from the Churches in the Diocese and younger people, all with the considerable skills needed to implement the ‘Design Brief’.

Why Majesty?
The Cathedral is a ‘majestic’ building which has stood at the heart of the city of Exeter for over 1,000 years from its earliest stages to the present day building. It is without doubt one the most beautiful cathedrals in England. The dictionary definition of ‘majesty’ is ‘to have great dignity of bearing, grandeur, supreme power or authority’ and Exeter Cathedral has all of these qualities.

To quote the Artistic Director of the Festival, Nicky Wright: “Not only is the building majestic but also the fabric, the music, the library and we hope on this occasion, the flowers. To work within the hallowed walls of this magnificent Cathedral brings such serenity and a peaceful feeling of well-being, that when the opportunity arose to design a flower festival to celebrate the Third Millennium Campaign, it was a commission I could not refuse. I am being more than ably assisted by a wonderful team of volunteers and willing helpers which will ensure a majestic spectacle for all who visit the flower festival.”

FULL FESTIVAL DETAILS
The festival runs from 11 – 15 July.

Opening times:
Wednesday 11 July : 10am-5pm & 6.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday 12 July : 9am-5pm & 6.30pm-8.30pm
Friday 13 July : 9am-5pm & 6.30pm-8.30pm
Saturday 14 July : 9am-5pm & 6.30pm-8.30pm
Sunday 15 July : 12pm-4pm

Box Office:
Entry tickets can be purchased in advance from the Cathedral shop, or online at www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/flowerfestival or by calling the Cathedral's Visitors’ Office on 01392 285983

Ticket Prices :
Bought in advance: Adults £9, (Students 5-18)£3.50
Bought on the day: Adults£10, (Students 5-18) £4
Groups of 10 or more Adults £8.50 each.

Evening receptions: Adults £30, (students 5-18) £25. Evening includes an interlude of organ music played by David Davies, Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral. Also included are cava, canapés and a souvenir programme.

Come and see Exeter's wonderful cathedral and a colourful historic event not to be missed!