Florals bloomed on every catwalk as designers fell in love with flowers this season.

From girlie blossoms to bold petal prints there is a floral for everyone. But we won't just be wearing flowers on our bodies, we will also be creative with them at home.

And it's all down to celebrity florist Roger Pendlebury who will be sharing his passion for flowers with us at his new school which opens next month.

Roger, who has created flowers for stars such as Victoria Beckham, Elton John, Shirley Bassey and Pierce Brosnan is holding monthly workshops at Cassons Flower Studio, in George Street, Halifax.

He took over the established florist business last year after 22 years in the trade, and turned downstairs into The West Yorkshire School of Floral Design. There is a workshop on offer almost every month until the end of the year and he has had interest from flower lovers all over the north.

Roger, who lives in Pecket Well with his partner, Ian, is a self taught florist who spend 12 years as the resident floral designer at the Midland Hotel, Manchester. He also worked at Claridges, London, and a stately home in Cheshire and taught at Stockport College for a number of years.

"I adore teaching because I am a people person and love nothing better than sharing my knowledge and passion for flowers with others. The only reason I gave up teaching at college was because there was too much admin and paperwork," he says.

He did two workshops at his studio at the end of last year to test the water and says he had a such a terrific response it gave him the confidence to open his school.

He believes flowers and fashion are linked, not only in colour trends but shape and form and says flower lovers are always looking for inspirational new ideas.

"A lot see designer flowers in lifestyle magazines and want to have a go at being creative themselves. It's often a case of minimum flowers but maximum impact. These type of designs often look best when you stick to one colour, say white, and then just add a bit of greenery."

His first workshop is on May 31 and is aimed at brides-to-be or their mums. The basic beginner weddings session will feature techniques for hand-tied bouquets and corsages and buttonholes with a professional finish.

"I think this will be popular because more and more brides or their mothers want to have a go at making a bouquet or do flowers for the church and table."

Other workshops include summer party tables; designer structures; Indian summer; happy hallowe'en; noel nostalgia and contemporary Christmas.

All take place on a Sunday and range in price from £50 to £95. Students are equipped with everything from wire, beads, moss containers and rubber gloves and get to take away their creations at the end of the day. Food and refreshments are also included.

Roger, who was born in Ashton-under-Lyne says his workshops are aimed at both novices and the more experience florist. Calderdale has an abundance of the latter.

There are several thriving flower clubs in the area and while most are female dominated, there are some men around interested in floral design.
"A lot of men are buying workshop places for their mothers or partners as a present, " says Roger who has fresh flowers delivered to his studio every day.

The bulk of them come from overseas.

He says there aren't many flower schools around because shops are restricted for space or florists do not have teaching qualifications.

And he says there is a lot of preparation work involved and it often means working weekends.

He is already looking ahead and says once the school gets off the ground he plans to offer a bespoke designer service to Calderdale residents.

"If people want their homes dressed for a special event I will go along and do mock ups beforehand and then the real thing on the day.

"I think this is something that just might appeal."

If people want to check out his skills they only have to look at his window displays.

They get changed on a regular basis and very often are so eye-catching that passers by pop into the studio to comment on them.