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Biography

DSCF1051_edited-201x300 George Smith was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and educated at Ackworth School, Pontefract. At the Lancashire County Institute of Agriculture, Hutton College be passed out as top student with Certificate of Distinction from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. During National Service he served as Sergeant Instructor to the Higher Education Centre for Military Resettlement, Hipswell Lodge, Catterick Camp. After apprenticeship in Holland he had a flourishing florists business in Halifax. He holds The Society of Floristry Certificate with distinction. Invitations from the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) soon led to national and international recognition. For fifty years he has enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the world’s foremost lecture demonstrators and judges of flower arrangement. His career has resulted in invitations to speak in twenty eight countries throughout the world. For forty years he has been privileged to serve as a judge at the Concours de Bouquets for H.S.H. The Princess Grace of Monaco and latterly H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover in Monte Carlo. At the invitation of the late Duke & Duchess of Beaufort he decorated the State Apartments of Badminton House for the Three Day Equestrian Event. He was included in the Royal house party on nine occasions. H.M. The Queen Mother always admired his creativity. George is a Special Associate of Honour of NAFAS in recognition of the many thousands of pounds he has raised for Charity. He has been artistic director of many flower festivals in Yorkshire’s stately homes and cathedrals, in particular York Minster, creating the flowers for four Royal visits. In 2004 he was awarded the MBE in H.M. The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for Services to Flower Arrangement.

Videos

“By Arrangement with George Smith” – a masterclass series of four videos approx. 1 hr 45 mins in length entitled: Christmas, Spring, Summer & Autumn. Nine extended videos taken from ITV’s Tonight programme entitled “The Flower Show”.

Books

George Smith has three best selling books to his credit, although now out of print they are still sought after collectors items.

  • “Flower Arrangements and their Settings” – Studio Vista 1967
  • “Flowers in House & Garden” – Pelham Books, 1977
  • “Flower Decoration” – English Classic Design – Webb & Bower, 1988

TV Appearances

Include:

  • “Arthur Negus Enjoys George Smith” at Dudmaston Hall.
  • “Gardeners World” from The Manor House with Peter Seabrook.
  • “Gardeners World” with Rachel de Thame;.
  • “Garden Party” with Carol Klein.
  • “Castle in the Country” with Lady Julie Edmondson.
  • ITV’s “To-night” programme with Susan Brookes.
  • Nine programmes entitled “The Flower Show” for Yorkshire Television.
  • Britains Best Back Gardens with Alan Titchmarch.

Previous Publications

  • The garden has been featured in Homes & Gardens,
  • House & Garden with Peter Coates.
  • Front cover feature garden of inaugural issue of The English Garden magazine.
  • Cover dust jacket of Best Borders by Tony Lord. Publishers Francis Lincoln.
  • Twice front cover of the RHS Journal – The Garden
  • Frequently written up in American, European and South African publications.
  • “The Flower Arranger” magazine.
  • “Flora International”
  • Yorkshire Life.
  • Sunday Telegraph colour supplement.