Floral Jewels: Flower Festival 2013
Jewel-themed floral extravaganza at Fairfax House in a week-long Festival of Flowers
Photocall Opportunity: Spectacular floral displays will be created and installed by New Earswick Flower Club at Fairfax House on Thursday, 23 May between 2.00pm and 3.00pm. This will be followed by a preview reception at 7.00pm.
The Fairfax House Festival of Flowers has now become a firmly established biennial event and ‘must’ see for both lovers of historic houses, flower-lovers and those who like something that bit different.
This year’s festival (24 May – 2 June) is most appropriately themed around jewels, taking its inspiration from the museum’s current major exhibition of diamonds, tiaras and coronets. Flowers and jewels have long been connected through history with the beauty of the first often inspiring the creation of the second.
In this festival of flowers staged throughout the Georgian interiors of Fairfax House jewels from the exhibition ‘Crowning Glory’ will be the inspiration for a mass of stunning jewel-themed floral arrangements created by New Earswick Flower Club.
The Festival will see a blend of traditional and contemporary design, and bring together fresh flowers, foliage and decorative materials for this unique take on the central theme of ‘FLORAL JEWELS’.
Hannah Phillip, Director of Fairfax House comments “Georgians particularly loved bringing flowers both fresh and dried, plants and greenery into their homes. This festival pays homage to their fascination with the natural world but in a new and contemporary vibrant way.
The creative work and arrangements for each festival have been undertaken by a different group bringing a new perspective and fresh twist to this opportunity.
New Earswick Flower Club has a reputation for producing stylish and contemporary flower designs and we are looking forward to seeing how their team of talented and enterprising floristry experts interprets this theme.
The design stage has been very intensive and the club has taken great delight in using both the house and the exhibition to inspire their displays for this exhibition. We look forward to seeing what innovation and exciting designs they come up with”.
The Festival will open to the public on FRIDAY 24 MAY and will run until SUNDAY 2 JUNE.
Ends
Press Contacts: Hannah Phillip, Director Tel: 01904 655543
Email: hannahphillip@yorkcivictrust.co.uk
Editor’s Notes
Floral Jewels is the third Flower Festival to be held at Fairfax house; the last in 2011 drew thousands of visitors through its doors, and this latest offering as part of its 250th anniversary celebrations is destined to do the same.
People’s Choice Fairfax House will be asking members of the public for their input to this Festival, with a public choice award being offered for the design voted most original and best-inspired by the space.
Entry to the Flower Festival is through purchase of a general admission ticket, which also includes entry to the exhibition, Crowning Glory. Tickets cost £6.00 (£5.00 Concession, children under 16 are Free) and are valid for one year.
Fairfax House is open Tues – Sat: 10am to 4.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Guided tours are also available at 11am and 2pm on Mondays.
For more information visit the website at www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Founded in 1972, New Earswick Flower Club is a member of the North East Area of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies.
Visit the club’s website www.newearswickflowerclub.org.uk
or blog www.newearswickflowerclub.wordpress.com for more information about educational workshops, demonstrations, competitions and garden visits.