Anne, a trained florist, is the volunteer in charge of the Cathedral flowers. She comes in weekly to prepare the flowers for the weekend services.
‘Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and appreciative of what we do.'
‘Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and appreciative of what we do.'
Anne, a trained florist, is the volunteer in charge of the Cathedral flowers. She has the task of organising the large talented team who make the stunning arrangements that enhance the building. This rota of experienced arrangers come from all over the diocese; most attend local arranging classes and clubs, have worked in their local churches and in stately homes, and many compete in flower festivals. They bring foliage from home while it’s Anne’s job to order and arrange delivery of the flowers (except in Lent and Advent, when by tradition there are no flowers).
Anne and two or three of the team will gather at the Cathedral to produce four large arrangements, two as you enter the Cathedral, one at St Frideswide’s shrine, and one at the high altar. The colours are carefully chosen to fit in with liturgical colours, and Anne liaises with Philippa White, the Precentor, to check which shades are appropriate.
Anne loves the role: ‘Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and appreciative of what we do. We love doing large-scale arrangements and to do them in the beautiful Cathedral is a real privilege.’
Becoming a flower arranger at Christ Church
Supervision: Volunteer and Visitor Coordinator (VVC), Cathedral Flower Coordinator
Time commitment: As directed by the Cathedral Flower Coordinator
Purpose and function: The Cathedral flower arrangers provide flower arrangements throughout the year. The flowers enhance the beauty of the Cathedral and its worship and thereby deepen the faith of the congregation, staff and visitors. Flowers are chosen to match the liturgical colours which serve to illustrate the continuing rhythm of Cathedral life and the celebration of the Daily Offices.
Role profile:
- An ability to arrange flowers to a high standard, in a Cathedral setting
- Enthusiastic about the Cathedral and its mission
- A positive, friendly, helpful attitude
- Willing to undertake training
- Able to operate as part of a team and to follow instructions
- Able to use initiative and judgement
Duties:
- Arrange and maintain flowers in the various areas of the Cathedral, as per the rota. Arranging normally takes place weekly on a Friday although this may change in line with the demands of the Cathedral and the liturgical calendar.
- Ensure that all areas of the Cathedral and flower room are left clean and tidy, all rubbish is disposed of correctly and any spillages are mopped up.
- Create flower displays or decorations appropriate to the Cathedral calendar, such as Easter and Christmas
- Be aware of security risks at all times, including any unattended items. Do not leave scissors, secateurs or knives unattended in the Cathedral at any time
- Report any accidents or incidents
General volunteer requirements:
- Read and follow the Christ Church Cathedral Volunteer Safeguarding Guide
- Complete Church of England Safeguarding Training – Basic Awareness, and Foundation modules
- Read and sign the Volunteer Agreement
- Complete induction training which will include Health & Safety, Fire, Security, as appropriate for the role
- Depending on additional advice received from the UK government or Church of England, you may be required to attend additional training sessions
- Attend Volunteer Days and training sessions as appropriate for the role
Volunteer benefits
- Become part of a friendly, supportive and welcoming community of volunteers
- Invitations to monthly coffee mornings with quizzes and talks; annual Garden Party and Epiphany Party (including a guest); visits to places of interest
- Priority booking to services such as Nine Lessons & Carols
- Free entry to the Christ Church site at any time (when open) with family or friends
- 10% discount in the Christ Church shop.
Other volunteer roles
Find out more about all the volunteer roles available at the Cathedral.