THE Friends of Salisbury Cathedral are looking forward to staging a host of events during the next few months.

This year’s holiday, which is taking place later this month, is to Belfast and in October there is a trip to Portchester Castle and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Friends’ Day is on September 19 when members converge on the cathedral from across Salisbury Diocese and beyond to take part in tours, enjoy lunch and tea, and attend the annual meeting and lecture, and evensong. This year it coincides with Magna Flora, the flower festival which showcases the work of more than 500 flower arrangers and runs from September 15 to 20.

Already this year the charity’s members have enjoyed a day trip to Swanage and a special Magna Carta day with a cream tea, tour of the exhibition, evensong and a reception.

The Friends of Salisbury Cathedral, established 85 years ago and who now number more than 3,000 members, have given grants towards many cathedral projects, including £7.8 million for repairs and renovations, £3 million towards lighting and sound, £1.25 million for organ restoration and £1.1 million towards monument conservation.

Most recently £670,000 was given towards Little Paradise – the first new building since medieval times, housing new toilets and storage.

The Friends have also donated £20,000 towards this year’s Magna Carta events, including the Magna Cantata children’s musical and the Gala Concert.

Friends’ chairman Duncan Glass said that next year the Friends hope to put on an open gardens event, a wine-tasting evening and a programme of tea and talks. “We are proud of what we have achieved so far in terms of fundraising and with more members we can raise even more for our magnificent cathedral,” he said.

“We are also looking for volunteers to help organise and stage our events.”

• Membership, which offers unlimited entry to the cathedral, is available from as little as £20 for a single person.

To join, contact the Friends’ office at 52 The Close, telephone 01722 335161, or visit www.salisburycathedralfriends.co.uk.