This year's flower festival at St Chad’s Cathedral takes place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June.

Our set-up day is Thursday 13 June when flower arrangers from all over the Archdiocese will turn up to create their displays.

We are then open to the public from 10am to 6pm Friday to Sunday.

If there are any people or groups who would like to join us we can still find space for you. Our theme for this year’s festival is 'Following in the Footsteps of Our Lord'.

The majestic colours and wonderful scents transform the Cathedral into an exciting place to visit.

Many parishes and schools from across the Archdiocese create these fantastic floral displays and explain to you why they have chosen their particular arrangement to suit the theme.

This year we have a new attraction on Saturday afternoon. Our Director of Music, Prof David Saint, is playing short organ pieces during which a soprano is singing for us. These musical interludes will take place at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm and will last about 10 minutes.

If you would prefer to sit and enjoy the music that is fine but if you prefer to quietly carry on looking at the flower displays you may listen to the music at the same time.

On Sunday at 5pm we have a wonderful orchestral concert given by the Birmingham Schools Wind Orchestra. Tickets are £10 which includes a wine and canapes reception afterwards.

To give the orchestra a breather during each half of the concert there will be a poetry reading by Philip Cotterill, who is currently the oldest member of the Cathedral Singers. During the interval the flower festival prizegiving will take place.

Do come inside and see our magnificent Cathedral and our wonderful flower displays.

For £3 you are able to purchase a programme which explains the displays. Afterwards why not treat yourself to a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of delicious homemade cake in the Grimshaw Room!

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Anne Symonds
St Chad's Cathedral Association