Pride in Canterbury for enthronement of archbishop

People involved with the enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury have been expressing their pride.

With the installation service set to be attended by more than 2,000 people, including members of the Royal Family and faith representatives from around the world, all eyes are firmly on Canterbury Cathedral.

Dame Sarah becoming the first woman to hold this office in 1,400 years is one piece of history, but Wednesday will also see girl choristers perform as part of the choir for the first time.

Poppy, from the Canterbury Cathedral Choir, said: "It's a momentous occasion that will be remembered for hundreds of years, and I am so proud to be part of it."

• First female Archbishop of Canterbury to be enthroned

Dame Sarah's predecessor, Justin Welby, was installed a year before girls were admitted to the choir in 2014.

Fast forward 12 years and the group is preparing for the performance of a lifetime, having agreed on four pieces with Dame Sarah and senior clergy.

Chorister Simba said that rehearsals have been taking place for two months.

Fellow chorister Alexandra said she was inspired by the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury being a woman.

"[This] has shown me that I can achieve whatever I want and that there are no barriers," she said.

History is also being made by the Canterbury Cathedral Flower Guild who have made their most sustainable arrangements in decades.

As the installation is taking place during Lent, flowers are not on display in the church so the team have sourced foliage and blossoms locally from the cathedral precincts, friends and their own gardens.

"Our team has the privilege of arranging them," said Valerie Hale.

"There is a hint of spring with early blossom and horse chestnut buds, just bursting which imply new beginnings for the church, the archbishop and springtime."

The Floral Guild has also taken up the challenge to be more sustainable and not use floral foam - known as oasis - to hold the arrangements in position.

Instead, they have taken 30-year-old unique metal tube structures known as 'Canterburys' out of storage.

"They hold the foliage in place with wire mesh so they can hold the stems in place," Hale added.

As for the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, she expects her installation service to be a "really happy, joyous occasion".

Dame Sarah recently completed a 140km (87 mile) pilgrimage from St Paul's Cathedral in London ahead of this ceremony, which, given upcoming events, offered the chance to take stock.

"All of our lives are very busy, so how you find time in your life when it's really busy just to pause and reflect is really important," Dame Sarah told BBC Radio Kent.

She said that her enthronement will also be a "celebration of the church, the Anglican community, and God".

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