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More than 30,000 flowers go on display at cathedral

Cheryl Dennis & Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
BBC News, West of England
BBC A arrangement of pink and purple flowers in a stone vase in the middle of the cathedral's main hall. Four women wearing pink and red clothes are looking and pointing at the flowersBBC
The Spirit of Water Flower Festival is being held at Salisbury Cathedral

More than 30,000 flowers have gone on display inside Salisbury Cathedral.

The cathedral invited about 500 flower arrangers to create the wide array of displays for the Spirit of Water Flower Festival.

The event is part of a series of art exhibitions exploring the power of water and its ability to hold memories and shape the identity of a place.

Head of design and Royal Horticultural Society judge, Michael Bowyer MBE, said the flowers were creating a wonderful scent within the cathedral.

Michael Bowyer wearing a shirt with flowers and birds on it smiling at the camera. He is standing in the main cathedral hall.
Michael Bowyer was among the organisers of the flower festival
A flower display of white lilies and small purple flowers arranged in what resembles a parting sea. The arrangement is in the main hall in the cathedral.
More than 500 flower arrangers have created designs

"This year's theme is water," Mr Bowyer said.

"We have the five rivers of Salisbury, a real working lock gate, rain, sleet, mist, all sorts of things where water is connected to it and 350 wicker raindrops hanging from the roof."

An arrangement of purple and pink flowers on two white tables. You can see people in the hall walking around looking at things in the background.
About 30,000 flowers have been used in the displays

Mr Bowyer said: "The flowers are now beginning to open up leaving a lovely scent in the cathedral."

A lady wearing glasses and a white top taking a picture of a very colourful display made with arts and crafts on a wall.
Community groups, care homes and playgroups were invited to make paper fish for one of the displays

About 600 volunteers were involved in making paper fish for one of the displays.

"They were made in care homes, day centres, playgroups and workshops," Mr Bowyer added.

A lady looking on at a flower display to the right. The display is in an array of colours inside the cathedral.
People from across the region have visited the cathedral to see the flower displays

In previous years, Salisbury Cathedral's art exhibitions have explored themes such as liberty and climate change.

An arrangement of blue flowers in the foreground and in the background on white pillar stands. A few people are standing to the left in the image.
The event is part of a series of art exhibitions on the theme of water

The Spirit of Water Flower Festival at Salisbury Cathedral runs until 18 May.

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