The Isle of Man Flower Festival organisers are hoping to achieve even more success with this year’s event.
Preparations have begun for the 2016 festival, which runs from Sunday, July 3, to Saturday, July 9.
The theme this year will be Supporting Achievement.
A total of 20 venues have signed up to take part in this year’s event and Judy Matthews, chairman of the organising committee, is looking forward to meeting some familiar faces and greeting some new ones.
‘We are very excited about this year’s festival, which sees an increase in the number of venues,’ said Judy. ‘We feel that our theme of Supporting Achievement will give everyone the chance to find something that suits them.
‘As it is an Olympic year, and we hope to see some Manx representation in Rio, some may choose to focus on sporting achievement, but displays can be based on a much wider spectrum of achievement if people wish.
‘The committee is grateful to everyone who supports the Isle of Man Flower Festival, including the sponsors, the volunteers who begin work so early to put on what are always wonderful displays and the thousands of visitors who enjoy the fruits of our labours.
‘We believe the festival is becoming a firm favourite in the cultural calendar.’
The official launch for the festival takes place in May, but work is already well underway to ensure everything is ready at the right time.
The venues taking part this year are: St Stephen’s Church, Sulby; St Bridget’s Church, Bride; Bride Methodist Chapel; The Grove Museum, Ramsey (Manx National Heritage); Onchan Elim Church; Onchan Methodist Church; St Thomas’ Church, Douglas; St Mary’s of the Isle, Douglas; Kirk Braddan; Ballagarey Methodist Chapel, St Mark’s; St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s; Kirk Malew; Old Grammar School, Castletown (MNH); Colby Methodist Church; St Columba’s RC Church, Port Erin; Port St Mary Methodist Church (Mount Tabor); St James’ Church, Dalby; Glen Maye Methodist Chapel; Holy Trinity, Patrick; The Cathedral, Peel.
More details will be released nearer the time, along with the festival programme, but you can also find out more by visiting thewebsite www.flowerfest.im.
The organisers can be contacted by emailing flowerfestim@gmail.com.
Photo - Ruth Black’s picture of the RNLI display in St Matthew’s Church, Douglas, was one of three joint winners in the photography competition at last year’s festival.
