More than 200 flower arrangers have begun to transform Llandaff Cathedral into a blooming good Festival of Flowers. Leading Llandaff’s own floral society is chairwoman Jeanne Hughes.
The Seeds of David by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
“It’s quite taxing and challenging,” Jeanne says after a day’s work on her floral arrangement. Despite the tired words, her voice gives away an air of excitement.
The Llandaff flower arranging team is working on a masterpiece to echo another: The Seeds of David painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (photographed by Martin Beek). The painting that hangs in the Cathedral has inspired the hand-crafted golden frames filled with red roses and carnations that Jeanne describes as a “panel of rich flowers”.
Sitting under the pulpit, this Llandaff entry will compete with floral designs from societies across South Wales, Worcestershire, Gloucstershire and Herefordshire.
“I’m afraid I won’t be at the display the whole time, though,” Jeanne says.
That’s because the festival isn’t only about looking, it’s also about doing. And around the corner at the Cathedral School, floral designers and enthusiasts will run demonstrations, workshops and sales. Jeanne will put her 20 years of floral arranging expertise to good use, along with many of her peers.
Two years in the making, the festival will celebrate flowers, but it also will celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s re-dedication of the Cathedral in 1960. This golden jubilee also marks 50 years of existence for the South Wales and Three Counties chapter of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, better known as NAFAS.
The Festival of Flowers runs from 10 am to 5:30 pm between Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 August. Tickets cost £5.50 in advance, or £6 at the door. For more information, see the event listing.
A Gala Preview Evening runs from 7 pm on Wednesday 4 August at Llandaff Cathedral. Tickets cost £25 in advance. For more information, see the event listing.
All proceeds from the festival will benefit the Llandaff Cathedral’s appeal to raise £1.5m to pay for its new organ.
If the Festival of Flowers inspires you to take up floral arranging, the Llandaff Floral Society welcomes new members. From 16 September, the club will resume meeting every first and third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm in Llandaff Parish Hall. The active club involves classes, demonstrations, field trips and festival competitions. For more information, contact Jeanne on 02920 842 737 or email secretary_3candsw@btinternet.com.
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