11th-century cathedral, 10,000 flowers and a Katy Perry arrangement or two
A 900-year-old cathedral with the longest nave in the UK is set to become one of the oldest places in the country to host a flower festival.
The 11th-century St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, which is also the oldest place of Christian worship in the UK, is hosting a Music in Bloom Festival from 25-28 September, which will feature hundreds of beautiful and imaginative flower displays that will transform the ancient building into a oasis of colour and music for four days.
More than 400 flower arrangers will be working on the displays in the run-up to the festival, which will see 10,000 blooms in total being used in the cathedral's 85-metre-long nave.
The arrangements will be themed on musical titles of every genre including classical pieces from Vivaldi, Handel and Holst will take their place alongside modern classics including songs from Adele, Abba, Lionel Richie, The Kinks, JLS, Katy Perry, Pink Floyd, Spice Girls and Elton John. Some 132 well-known pieces of music and songs will feature in the Festival displays.
As well as viewing the displays, visitors to the festival will be able to take part in a number of events. These include: Flower-arranging classes in the comfort of the historic Victorian Deanery where visitors can create a vintage cupcake flower arrangement to take home from the Flower Festival. The hour-long classes will be led by Anita Linderman, founder of the St Albans 'Flower School'. No previous flower arrangement experience is required. The Gala Preview Evening on 24 September, which will include a glass of prosecco and canapés, while vistiros listen to performances by the winners of the St Albans Young Musicians Competition 2014. Jazz Picnic Concert among the flowers on 27 September. Visitors can bring along a picnic and explore the floral displays while enjoying performances from the Abbey Girls' Choir and the St Albans Jazz Ensemble. There will be a bar open all evening. Benjamin Britten's War Requiem is at the forefront of a special area to commemorate the centenary of World War I.
The 'props list' for the Festival reads like a challenge for a team on the BBC's Apprentice, and includes: Roman bricks, a plough, World War I uniforms, a tandem, fishing rods and a Harley Davison to form the centre piece of Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell.
How much?
Day tickets cost £10 per person and are available from stalbanscathedral.org
Tickets for the flower-arranging classes £20, while tickets for the Jazz Picnic Concert cost £15 for adults and £5 for under 12s.
Where to stay?
The four-star, boutique hotel St Michael's Manor, just 10-minutes walk from the cathedral. Prices cost from £125 per room per night for a double room. To book: stmichaelsmanor.com
