300 volunteers begin building displays for Winchester Cathedral Flower Festival

• ITV News Meridian reporter Mary Stanley reports from Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral has been a hive of activity this morning as final preparations are made for its flower festival.

300 volunteers from across the South and as far away as Jersey have been working on stunning arrangements. 

This year, each of the displays will tie in with the festival's theme of 'Resonance' which is all about how memories, some we didn't even know we had, are triggered by our senses.

The designs are also thoughtful and reflective of the losses and sacrifices so many have made following the pandemic. The build will continue until the morning of Tuesday 14th September.

• Volunteers reflect on what it means to be involved in the festival

Pip Bensley, Creative Director said, "The designs for this year's Flower Festival are thoughtful and reflective of the losses and sacrifices so many have made following the pandemic.

Alison Evans, COO at Winchester Cathedral said, "This beautiful exhibition of thousands of flowers inspired by the architecture of the Cathedral will result in a truly spectacular event.

The Winchester Cathedral Flower Festival will run from the 15th - 19th September. More information can be found here.