The Isle of Man Flower Festival is a major asset to the Island’s profile, according to one MLC.

Culture Vannin vice-chairman Geoff Corkish told the official launch of this year’s flower festival that the event puts the Isle of Man on the map.

The festival runs from Sunday, July 3, to Saturday, July 9 – Manx National Week – and 19 venues are taking part this year, on the theme of Supporting Achievement.

The launch was held at Onchan Elim Church. Mr Corkish said his involvement with the Isle of Man Flower Festival, which is supported by Culture Vannin and Connect2Charity, was one of his favourite tasks.

‘MHKs and MLCs get all kinds of jobs and this is one of the nice ones,’ he said

‘The whole initiative of the Flower Festival is tremendous because it is a community event. There will be people all over the adjacent Isle and probably further afield who are now preparing themselves to come to the Isle of Man because of the Flower Festival.’

He added: ‘It is a great community effort and also great profiling for the Isle of Man. It puts the Isle of Man on the map.’

He praised the ‘tremendous artistic talents’ of those who create the displays.

‘I am delighted to be part of this again, to be invited to help launch this great event, but I also know that it does not just happen. There are a lot of people involved.’

Committee member Jean Clifton thanked all the sponsors involved, including Shoprite and Friends Provident International and many businesses that support the displays at a particular venue.

‘To all of you that are participating, the committee says a big thank you. I hope you have fun with the flowers.’

Jean went on to thank all the committee members for their efforts, especially chairman Judy Matthews.

‘Without you Judy, we would be lost,’ she said. ‘You do a fantastic job!’

Manx National Heritage is involved in this year’s event, with both the Grove Museum near Ramsey and the Old Grammar School in Castletown among the festival venues.

In fact, following repairs and conservation work, the Old Grammar School is opening up especially for the Flower Festival. Included among its flower displays will be a pop up display celebrating head teacher J. T. Whiksey, who supported achievement, encouraging many of his pupils from the Grammar School to take the King William’s College entrance exam to gain a scholarship. Many of them did.

Once again, the organisers are holding the hugely popular Flower Festival Photographic Competition. Last year, judges were so impressed with the high standard of entries they selected joint winners and they are hoping for a similar level of quality this year!
Photographers are permitted to submit up to four digital entries that illustrate the theme of Supporting Achievement. Any photographs featuring people must be accompanied by their written consent. Entries from people of all ages are welcome, but people under 18 are asked to include their date of birth.

The deadline to submit entries is August 1 and they should be sent to flowerfestim@gmail.com. 

Full details of the photography competition are in the festival brochure, which will be available after TT week, and on the website www.flowerfest.im. 

They both also contain information on each of the venues, while the website will continually update with details of events being staged to tie in with the festival.

Much of the information can also be downloaded from the website in a printable format, for visitors to carry with them.

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.

Full bloom: Geoff Corkish is pictured with Flower Festival committee members. Left to right Lillian Burnett, James McGowan, Jean Clifton, Hilary Peterson, Alex Day, Geoff Corkish, Paula Smith, Judy Matthews, Annette Bratt. Another committee member, Shirley Quaye, is not pictured.