More Jubilee events at a cathedral near you

A tapestry of 70 voices tells the Queen’s story in Lancashire, there are floral tributes fit for a Queen in St Edmundsbury, and Carlisle’s Jubilee Service starts the county’s Platinum celebrations.

Just some of the ways you can celebrate this historic occasion in a cathedral near you.

A monumental 18-metre tapestry to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen opens in Blackburn Cathedral this Thursday and will bring to life the story of her reign and her impact on the people of Lancashire through a unique accompanying soundscape.

Photo: Lancashire Evening Post.

Artist, Jamie Holman has created the artwork by working with artists and the local Lancashire community to create a piece that recognises the significant changes that have occurred throughout The Queen’s reign as well as honouring her loyal service to the nation.

To accompany the tapestry Jamie has recorded seventy 70-year-olds from Lancashire from mill workers to fishermen to lifeboat rescuers.

By recording their memories, he has produced a poetic multi-channel soundscape installation that tells the story of The Queen’s reign, diverse Lancastrian communities and the extraordinary individuals who best remember her lifetime of service, and has threaded these personal stories together, creating a narrative that will accompany the tapestry that depicts the 70 years of her service.

The tapestry, which has been woven in recycled cotton and wool in Burnley, Lancashire, is housed in a horse-shoe frame, which visitors enter to experience the tapestry and its soundscape.

The artwork was a special commission by the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants of the county.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s Platinum Jubilee County Service will feature floral displays from Harald Altmaier, an internationally acclaimed, London-based florist, who has previously worked with the Royal Family.

Harald, who has a portfolio of famous clients, has been a regular visitor to Bury St Edmunds over several decades and visitors will see his floral creations installed in the Cathedral on Friday June 10 with the support of the cathedral’s own team of flower arrangers.

The arrangements will incorporate English flowers known to be favourites of Her Majesty.

The Revd Canon Philip Banks, who is responsible for all the Cathedral’s worship, said:

“English flowers for our Queen – we are more than excited that Harald Altmaier is willing to create this floral display for our Platinum Jubilee celebrations here in the Cathedral, for all our visitors and local people to enjoy. 

“As we mark this year Her Majesty’s seventy years of service and loyalty, may the beauty of flowers give us thankful hearts and inspire us to be, like the Queen, people of loving care and service”.

A special service of Choral Evensong at Carlisle Cathedral last Friday brought together the county’s representatives and kickstarted Cumbria’s celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

At the service the Cathedral Choir sang Sir Hubert Parry’s great coronation Anthem ‘I was glad’ as well as a new piece ‘In Our Service’ commissioned for the Jubilee by the Royal School of Church Music and written by Thomas Hewitt Jones.

The service was led by the Very Revd Mark Boyling, Dean of Carlisle with the Rt Revd James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle preaching.

The Dean said:

“It was wonderful to bring people together from across Cumbria to begin the celebrations in the Cathedral. Some beautiful music by the choir and some well-known hymns helped us all give thanks for the Queen’s life of dedicated service to the nation.”

This week Carlisle Cathedral will host some family activity workshops – including making Crown Coasters.

And people can join in Newcastle Cathedral’s special civic service to say thank you for the Queen’s faith, her service and her seventy-year reign in person and online at 4pm on Sunday 5 June. click here to watch the service live via YouTube.

More about the Jubilee and cathedrals here.