The Flower Ladies

The Flower Ladies Gill Guthrie and Cecilia Featherston bringing beauty, prayer and creativity to Saint Charles.

Every parish has people whose gifts quietly shape the life and atmosphere of the church. At St Charles Borromeo, two such people are Gill Guthrie and Cecilia Featherston, known affectionately by parishioners as “The flower ladies.” Their work is more than decoration; it is a ministry of beauty, prayer, dedication, and creativity that helps lift the hearts of all who worship at St Charles.

Gill first came to St Charles around fifteen years ago, having previously been part of the Church of England. After discerning her path, she became Catholic and found St Charles to be a spiritual home — a place of welcome, depth, and community. With the exception of a brief period worshipping elsewhere, she has been committed to the parish ever since.

Her journey into flower arranging began simply: she felt drawn to helping as a volunteer. The then-flower arranger, Christine, encouraged her to join in. When Christine eventually stepped back, Gill took on the responsibility fully, ensuring that the parish would continue to be blessed each week with thoughtful and beautiful floral designs.

Today, Gill is assisted by Cecilia Featherston, whose steady presence, early-morning energy, and love of nature bring enormous strength to the pair’s work. Cecilia comes from an NHS administrative and latterly therapy assistant background.

Her introduction into the rewarding realm of voluntary support for Saint Charles came from a simple enquiry to see if she could help. After initially supporting the vital tasks involved in church cleaning, she branched into the floral realm under Gill’s guidance.

 Helping with the flowers brought Cecilia a great sense of purpose, fulfilment, and calm. She often describes the work as “therapeutic,”  and a welcome contrast to the pressures of her former career.  Cecilia, who loves the creativity of flower arranging says she feels a great emotion and that the blooms make her heart sing. 

Whilst we as humans are God’s wonderful creation, she also sees the Lord in the beauty and brightness of flowers. In addition to vegetables, Cecilia grows dahlias on her allotment. This helps save money and also contributes seasonal freshness to the arrangements in the church  between August and October.

For Gill, floral design is a form of self-expression — a creative language through which she can honour God and serve the parish. She describes working with flowers as both prayerful and joyful: “a means of creativity that becomes part of the liturgy itself.”

This calling extends beyond St Charles; Gill also gives time to another local Catholic church and gently supports the housebound, bringing with her the same sensitivity and care she pours into her arrangements.

Although retired, she runs a small business, Flowers by Design UK, offering wedding and event flowers at very competitive prices. Cecilia often helps her with this work, and parishioners who need flowers for special occasions are welcome to contact Gill directly by email. Yet alongside their professional skills, both women remain deeply grounded in the simple wish to serve their parish family.

The financial side of flower arranging is something the pair approach with respect and gratitude. They are deeply thankful for the contributions parishioners make towards the cost of flowers.


Every donation is used with great care; blooms are sourced from local markets, wholesalers, or gathered from nature according to the seasons. Cecilia regularly heads out early in the morning to secure the best flowers at the best prices. Their thoughtful stewardship ensures that the church can look beautiful week after week without unnecessary expense.

Special seasons such as Christmas and Easter involve many hours of additional effort. Gill and Cecilia plan, prepare, and create arrangements that lift the entire church into celebration — vivid displays full of colour, symbolism, and reverence. Parishioners often comment on how stunning the church looks during these times, never quite realising how much unseen work and love has gone into every stem and ribbon.

For those who wish to support their ministry, a special envelope for flower donations is available at the back of the church. Every contribution, however small, directly funds the arrangements that enrich our worship space throughout the year.

Gill and Cecilia’s work is a reminder that beauty is not optional in the life of the Church — it is one of the ways we honour God, welcome others, and lift the human spirit. Their dedication ensures that St Charles remains a place of warmth, colour, and prayerful atmosphere. The parish is deeply grateful for all they do.