The Dean of Chichester, the Very Rev Dr Edward Dowler welcomed 170 guests from across Sussex to a fundraising dinner in the Nave of Chichester Cathedral on Friday 19th September.
The Cathedral marked the launch of sponsorship for its spectacular Festival of Flowers, scheduled for June next year, with a celebratory dinner. Guests included Guy Watts, Managing Director of Architectural Plants, who gave the after-dinner speech, and Festival Designer Caroline Daines (Nordic Twigs), who is leading the creative vision for next year’s event. Also present were six past Festival Designers — Verity Gunnery, Hilary Tupper, Tessa Pascoe, Lady Fiona Bartelott, Jose Pound, and Lyn Robinson — who between them have masterminded 10 of the last 14 Festivals (see photo below). A party from Rathbones Investment Management, the Festival’s main sponsor, was also in attendance.
At the Tinwood drinks reception, guests a rare chance to enjoy the atmosphere and splendour of this sacred and historic space.
Guests then enjoyed a three-course dinner prepared by Seasoned, the team behind the Cathedral's Cloisters Kitchen & Garden, before hearing an inspiring after-dinner address from Guy Watts, Managing Director of Architectural Plants. He spoke passionately about this year’s theme of wellbeing and nature, encouraging young people to see horticulture, the environment and the natural world not only as rewarding career paths but also as vital spaces for health and restoration. He reminded guests of the importance of sponsorship, both for the Festival itself and as part of the Cathedral’s long-term financial sustainability.
Architectural Plants are also generously supporting the floral arrangements being created by students from Plumpton and Farnborough Colleges, helping to nurture and showcase the talents of the next generation. Reflecting on the evening, Guy Watts said: "Joining you all for dinner to mark the launch of the Festival of Flowers 2026 was a privilege. The Festival of Flowers is as much about beauty as it is about legacy. Just as one act of belief and investment helped me row the Indian Ocean and later create opportunities for young people, every act of sponsorship at the Cathedral will leave a lasting mark. I was thrilled to share that message in such an inspiring setting, and I hope many more will join us in supporting this special event.
What struck me most about the evening was the sense of community within the Cathedral. My speech was about resilience, belief and the power of nature’s embrace, and it was moving to see those ideas resonate with guests. Sponsoring an arrangement will support young people, strengthen the legacy of the Cathedral for the next 900 years, and create something beautiful that uplifts us all. I am proud that our support will go towards arrangements created by students. Together, we can plant the seeds of something truly remarkable.”
Details of the 66 stunning flower displays that will transform the 950-year-old Cathedral for the four-day Festival were shared with guests, who responded warmly to Caroline Daines’ Nature's Embrace theme, with many eager to sponsor arrangements in key locations or with particular significance.
The Festival of Flowers is a biennial event organised by the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust CIO (charity no 1156729). It is the Trust’s largest fundraising event, raising vital funds for the restoration and development of Chichester’s 950-year-old Cathedral. The Festival attracted over 10,000 visitors in 2024 and has raised more than £1.4 million towards work at the Cathedral since its launch in 1996.
Sponsorship of the flower arrangements is an essential part of the Festival’s fundraising, helping to ensure both its success and the Cathedral’s continued preservation. Find out how to sponsor an arrangement here.
The 2026 Festival will be a four-day spectacular, bringing together over 100 flower arrangers from across Sussex to fill the Cathedral with breath-taking displays of more than 50,000 blooms. Alongside the floral creations, visitors can enjoy an exhibition of work by sculptor Philip Jackson and a varied programme of live music.
The Festival Market will return with a wide range of stalls, together with the much-loved Festival Plant Market. Food and drink, from Cloisters Kitchen & Garden, will also be available throughout the event, making it a celebration for all the senses.
The Festival of Flowers will take place from 3 to 6 June 2026 with a special Preview Evening on 2 June. Tickets will go on sale from early November 2025 with Preview Evening tickets available from February 2026.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact flowerfestival@chichestercathedral.org.uk
