CELEBRITY and royal florist Simon Lycett is bringing ‘floral fabulousness’ to historic York’s horticultural festival Bloom! on Friday 6 July.

Bloom! is a city-wide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Ancient Society of York Florists, the oldest horticultural society in the world, as well as a wider celebration of York’s horticultural heritage, including pioneers such as James Backhouse & Son’s and George Russell, developer of the Russell Hybrid Lupin.

It runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 July 2018.

Floral enthusiasts are in for a treat as Simon demonstrates the skills that have made him the go-to florist for celebrities such as Sir Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Thandie Newton, Cheryl Cole, Thierry Henry and Gary Neville, as well as members of the Royal Family at home and abroad, since he first became known for arranging the flowers for the 1993 smash-hit film 'Four Weddings And A Funeral' .

His demonstration #floralfabulousness will take place from 2.00pm-4.00pm at Bootham School, York. Tickets cost £35. Refreshments included. Please book in advance.

He said: “York’s Ancient Society of Florists was established to encourage and develop horticulture, and it is remarkable that they have been doing this in York for 250 years without interruption.

"British flowers are part of our heritage, and the artisan growers that are now in incredibly high demand owe a huge debt of gratitude towards these enthusiasts who have kept this passion for growing alive. It is fantastic to see this being celebrated in a city-wide festival which will spread the message far and wide, and I am honoured to be involved."

Simon is also judging the great Bloom! window dressing competition, which is a fun opportunity for all businesses across York to take part in the festival and help add as much greenery, flowers and colour to the city.

The winner will receive the title of ‘Best Bloom! Window’ and a generous £1,000 prize to boot, courtesy of competition sponsor, York Conservation Trust.

Steve Brown, Managing Director, Make It York, which is organising Bloom! supported by York Business Improvement District and dozens of local businesses and organisations, added: “We’re delighted that royal florist Simon Lycett will be at the festival, celebrating York’s horticultural heritage with us. This is an amazing opportunity for visitors and residents to watch the royal florist at work and witness his mastery and expertise."

As well as paying homage to York’s horticultural pioneers, Bloom! will highlight the abundance of organisations, charities, non-profit groups and residents’ associations who dedicate hours of their time to maintaining the gardens and green spaces across the city, and to encouraging others to follow suit and to ‘grow their own’.

More than 112 individual events are planned for the four days. These include large-scale, show-stopping installations, small floral displays, talks, workshops, trails, beer garden makeovers, hidden garden open days, children’s events and activities, exhibitions, a city-wide window dressing competition, a vegetarian street food market, a flower and produce market and a traditional flower show.

For more information about Bloom!, including the window dressing competition, and the full programme of events go to www.bloomyork.com Information is also available at www.visityork.org