The Dean of Chichester, the Very Rev Stephen Waine welcomed 200 guests from across Sussex to a fundraising dinner in the Nave of Chichester Cathedral on Wednesday 11th September. The dinner launched sponsorship for the Cathedral’s spectacular Festival of Flowers, planned for May next year. Guests included the Duchess of Richmond; High Sheriff of East Sussex Violet Hancock; sculptor Philip Jackson; actress Patricia Routledge and designer Emma Bridgewater. Actor Hugh Bonneville also attended the event as Patron of the 2020 Festival. This glittering evening was an exceptional opportunity for guests to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and magnificence of this sacred and special place.
Details of the 80 stunning flower displays which will transform the 900 year old Cathedral for the three day Festival were shared with guests, who responded generously to Festival designer Lyn Robinson’s ‘Realms of Glory’ theme by sponsoring the arrangements.
Hugh Bonneville, fresh from the London premier of the film ‘Downton Abbey’ in which he plays the character Lord Grantham, enthralled guests with an after-dinner speech. Hugh is delighted to be involved with the 13th Festival of Flowers, “With treasured memories of visiting past Festivals – with their extraordinary displays of awe-inspiring beauty, ingenuity and quirky imagination – I am honoured to be Patron of the Festival Flowers at Chichester Cathedral 2020."
The Cathedral’s Festival of Flowers is a biennial event organised by Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Trust. The Festival attracts 15,000 visitors and has raised over £1million towards the cost of restoration work over the past twenty-two years. Sponsorship for this event will maximise the money raised. The Cathedral Trust is delighted to have the support of Title Sponsor Rathbones Investment Management.
The Festival of Flowers will take place from 28th – 30th May 2020 with a Champagne Preview on 27th May. As well as the magnificent flower arrangements in the Cathedral and environs, visitors will enjoy a programme of live music, stalls in the Festival Market and can partake of the delicious refreshments in Café des Fleurs. Once again the internationally renowned sculptor Philip Jackson will be exhibiting his work. Tickets will be on sale from October 2019, please watch the website for details.
Pictured L to R: Designer Lyn Robinson; Mrs Lizzie Waine; Hugh Bonneville; The Dean of Chichester the Very Rev Stephen Waine.