The Dean of Portsmouth's Anglican Cathedral, The Very Reverend Dean Brindley, took up juggling under the watchful eye of 'ringmaster' Canon David Isaac to highlight the cathedral's flower festival next year.
Dubbed 'The Greatest Show on Earth' after PT Barnum's famous 19th century circus, the four-day festival next July is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the cathedral and a marquee in its grounds in Old Portsmouth.
Although juggling was new to Rev Brindley – also pictured on the front page – he said he picked it up quite quickly.
He said: 'I've never done it before. I had a 40-minute lesson and I picked it up quicker than I expected. I was able to keep juggling three balls a few times. I'm going to take it up.'
Dean Brindley explained that bringing circus and flowers together isn't the obvious thing to do, but there is a link.
He said: 'The link is the greatest show on earth. The cathedral is the longest running show in Portsmouth. It's been here on the site since 1180 and we stage a range of events in the arts, music and lunch clubs.'
Shipbuilding company BVT Surface Fleet has already donated £4,000 in sponsorship to the event.
The flower festival will run from July 23 to 26 next year after a gala evening with celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh as guest of honour.
For more information e-mail
greatestshow@portsmouthcathedral.org.ukThe full article contains 269 words and appears in The News newspaper.
