For more than six decades, the Kirkwall Flower Arrangement Club has brought flowers, friendship and creativity to people throughout Orkney, and has developed a particularly special relationship with St Magnus Cathedral and The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral.
Founded in 1959, the Club has become an important part of Kirkwall’s community life. Through generations of members, it has shared the enjoyment of floral art while giving generously to the wider community.
Its annual Flower Festival in St Magnus Cathedral is now a much-loved feature of the Cathedral’s year. The Festival not only fills this remarkable building with colour and imagination, but also raises funds for its continuing care: the proceeds from the annual Festival are donated to The Society of The Friends of St Magnus Cathedral.
The friendship between the two organisations is therefore more than a shared appreciation of the Cathedral. It is a partnership built on creativity, generosity and a common commitment to ensuring that St Magnus Cathedral continues to be valued and enjoyed by future generations.
Festival themes since 1973
The Club’s Flower Festivals in the Cathedral can be traced back at least to 1973, when the surviving record begins. From the outset, the choice of themes reveals an organisation with a remarkable ability to find inspiration in its surroundings and to interpret the world through flowers.
The early festivals had a distinctly Orkney character. Men of Orkney in 1975 was followed by Impressions of Orkney in 1976, while heritage featured strongly in Our Heritage 1100–1600 (1982) and Our Heritage 1600–1987 (1987).
There was also a strong sense of celebration and pageantry, with A Royal Pageant in Flowers (1977), Praise in Flowers (1978), Childhood (1979) and Floral Dance (1981).
As the years progressed, the range of subjects expanded. The Club explored Shakespeare, music, exploration, literature, achievement and popular culture through themes including A Glimpse of Shakespeare, A Musical Bouquet, Exploration, Women of Achievement, From the Orkney Bookshelf, Famous Duos and A Night at the Opera.
Telling the story of Orkney
Although the themes have become increasingly diverse, Orkney has remained at the heart of the Club’s work.
From Men of Orkney and Impressions of Orkney in the 1970s, through Events from an Orkney Calendar and A Peedie Orkney Tour, to St Magnus 900 in 2017, the Club has repeatedly used flowers to celebrate the islands’ people, history and traditions.
The Festival has therefore become another way of telling the story of Orkney, and nowhere could provide a more fitting setting than St Magnus Cathedral.
The relationship between the Club and the Cathedral was celebrated particularly strongly in 2008, with Our Cathedral: The Wonder and Glory of the North.
The exhibition explored the life of Earl Rognvald, the founding of the Cathedral, Orkney’s Norwegian connections and the Cathedral’s place in contemporary community life. It also recognised the work of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral.
It was a fitting expression of the close relationship which had developed between the Flower Club and the Friends: a relationship based on creativity, friendship and a shared desire to celebrate and support this extraordinary building.
A tradition that keeps changing
Looking across more than fifty years of Festival themes, it is striking how the Club has continually adapted.
The 1970s and 1980s show a strong emphasis on Orkney, heritage, faith, community and royal occasions. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the themes broadened into literature, music, exploration, achievement, popular culture and the wider world.
The later years brought yet more variety, including The Wonders of Nature (2015), Inspirational Women (2018), Protecting Our Planet (2022), Annual Events (2023) and Milestones (2024).
In 2025, Let There Be Music celebrated the centenary of the Cathedral’s organ, while in 2026 Myths and Legends brought together Orkney stories such as the Stoorworm, selkies and the Breckness Mermaid with legends from around the world.
The progression is one of the most remarkable aspects of the Festival’s history. Each generation has found new ways to interpret its chosen theme while retaining the fundamental tradition of telling stories through flowers.
The people behind the flowers
Behind every Festival are many hours of voluntary work: designing, planning, preparing and creating the arrangements, followed by installing and dismantling the exhibition.
The dedication of members over many years is perhaps best illustrated by Marlene Croy, who served twice as Club President and has cared for the Cathedral’s flowers for around four decades. Her outstanding voluntary service was recognised with the British Empire Medal in 2021.
Today, the Club continues this tradition under its current President, Barry Grey, a published author and highly experienced flower arranger and demonstrator. Barry brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the Club as it looks towards the future. His leadership represents a new chapter in the Club’s story, while building on the friendship, expertise and traditions passed down through previous generations.
Beyond the Festival
The Club’s continuing generosity extends far beyond the annual Festival.
As well as supporting the Friends through the Flower Festival, the Club makes donations to other local charities throughout the year. Its Annual Calendar raises money for a local charity, while the proceeds of the raffle at the Club’s Christmas party are donated to support people affected by multiple sclerosis.
The Club’s care for the community is also expressed through its flowers. Friendship bouquets are made for members of the community to take home, while flowers left over from the Festival are given away so that their enjoyment can continue beyond the Cathedral.
Every week, flowers are also provided for the local hospital, bringing colour and pleasure throughout the year.
These acts of kindness reveal something important about the Club. Its contribution to Orkney is not confined to the few days of the Flower Festival: friendship and community are at its heart.
A partnership with the Friends
For the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral, the Club’s contribution is greatly valued.
The relationship is a wonderful example of community partnership. The Cathedral provides inspiration and a unique setting; the Club responds with creativity, hard work and generosity; and the proceeds from the Festival help the Friends to support the care and future of the building.
From Men of Orkney in 1975 to Myths and Legends in 2026, the themes may have changed dramatically, but the purpose has remained remarkably constant: to bring people together, celebrate creativity and share stories through flowers in the extraordinary setting of St Magnus Cathedral.
And throughout the year, those flowers continue to reach beyond the Cathedral, supporting charities, bringing pleasure to care-home residents, offering friendship to members of the community and brightening homes across Orkney.
After more than six decades, the flowers continue to bloom, and so does the friendship between the Kirkwall Flower Arrangement Club and St Magnus Cathedral.
Photographs from the Flower Festivals
A selection of arrangements from past Festivals in the Cathedral. Select any photograph to see it larger.
2008: Our Cathedral
2015: Wonders of Nature
2017: Magnus 900
2026: Myths and Legends
With grateful thanks to all the members, past and present, of the Kirkwall Flower Arrangement Club.
