The official launch of the 2016 Isle of Man Flower Festival takes place in Onchan Elim Church, on Tuesday (May 24) at 7pm.

Preparations are now in full swing for this year’s festival, which runs from Sunday, July 3, to Saturday, July 9.

The theme this year will be Supporting Achievement.

In all, 19 venues are taking part.

Chairman of the organising committee Judy Matthews says everything is on schedule to make this year’s festival the best one yet and the committee is grateful to everyone who supports the Isle of Man Flower Festival, including sponsors, the volunteers who create displays and the thousands of visitors who call in at the venues around the Island.

‘We have had very exciting feedback about some of the displays that are being planned for this year’s event,’ said Judy. ‘All will be revealed at the festival itself, but this year certainly looks to be our most creative yet.’

This year, those going to multiple locations will be able to get their programme stamped at each venue to keep track of where they have visited.

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; Port St Mary Methodist Church (Mount Tabor); St James’ Church, Dalby; Glen Maye Methodist Chapel; Holy Trinity, Patrick; The Cathedral, Peel.

More details, including opening times at each of the venues, can be found in the festival brochure which will be available after TT and also by visiting the website www.flowerfest.im.

The organisers can be contacted by emailing flowerfestim@gmail.com.