Chichester Cathedral: Peace Doves

The Challenge

In Autumn 2023, we partnered with Chichester Cathedral to deliver a comprehensive communications strategy for their major seasonal exhibition: Peace Doves by renowned sculptor Peter Walker.

Suspended in the Cathedral’s historic Nave, the breathtaking installation featured 15,000 individually handmade paper doves, each inscribed with a message of peace, hope, or love from local children, community groups, and members of the public. The installation was further brought to life with a rich programme of supporting events, including storytelling sessions, silent discos, and immersive twilight viewings accompanied by music composed by David Harper.

The Objectives

  • Raise awareness of Peace Doves across regional and national media
  • Drive footfall to the Cathedral and ticketed events
  • Position Chichester Cathedral’s autumn exhibition as a key cultural event in the South
  • Deepen community engagement and encourage social media sharing

Our Approach

BrightWord delivered an integrated communications strategy that combined:

  • Press and Media Relations: Regional and national outreach to print, online, and broadcast media
  • Media Launch Event: A targeted and well-attended preview event for press, influencers, and stakeholders
  • Influencer Engagement: Partnership with local and cultural influencers to amplify the installation online
  • Content Creation: Compelling copywriting for press releases, web pages, event listings, and social media
  • Partnership Marketing: Collaboration with local organisations and tourism bodies to extend campaign reach
  • Social Media Management: Ongoing content planning and community engagement across all Cathedral channels

The Results

  • Extensive media coverage across local, regional, and lifestyle publications
  • Increase in reach and engagement across the Cathedral’s social media platforms
  • All ticketed events sold out, with additional dates added to meet public demand
  • Significant increase in footfall throughout the duration of the exhibition
  • Elevated profile for Chichester Cathedral’s autumn programme as a cultural highlight in the region

What’s Next

Following the success of Peace Doves, Chichester Cathedral’s annual autumn exhibition has cemented its place as a standout moment in the area’s cultural calendar, attracting growing audiences and national attention. We have continued to work with Chichester Cathedral on multiple projects including Luke Jerram’s Mars in 2024 and Chichester950, the Cathedral’s 950th anniversary celebrations in 2025.