FLOWER arrangers are uniting to create a festival of colour at one of the North-East’s most stunning visitor attractions.
The Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, will formally open the Ushaw Flower Festival on the evening of June 12, and it will be open to the public between 11am and 5pm from June 13 to 17.
Ushaw College was a Catholic seminary, near the County Durham village of Ushaw Moor, which has now become a major visitor destination as well as events and conference venue.
This year it celebrates the 450th anniversary of its predecessor institution, the English College of Douai.
Jonathan Ward, Commercial Manager at Ushaw, said: “We are very keen to be part of the community and this festival, in such a special year, brings together more than 30 flower arranging groups whose talents are normally used to grace local churches of all denominations.”
The arrangements have been designed to enhance beautiful spaces and architecture at Ushaw, which opened its historic buildings and gardens to the public four years ago.
Meanwhile, time is running out to see Ushaw’s current exhibition, Faith In Exile, which tells the dramatic story of the English College of Douai, and features a silver collection of treasures and relics. The exhibition, in the William Allen Gallery, runs until June 23.
Day passes cost £5 per person but this entitles visitors to free admission to Ushaw for the next 12 months.
For more information go to www.ushaw.org or for general enquiries call 0191 3345119.