Christmas at Cheshire’s Arley Hall is always magical, and this year, its splendour reached new heights thanks to the creative talents of Reaseheath College’s floristry students.
The stately home’s historic gallery was transformed into a festive floral wonderland, showcasing the students’ artistry as part of Arley Hall’s beloved Christmas floral festival. This annual collaboration offers Reaseheath floristry students the chance to hone their skills by decorating one of Cheshire’s most iconic landmarks.
This year marked the 11th consecutive year that Reaseheath’s floristry department has contributed to the event, this time giving Level 3 diploma and AIM students invaluable experience in event styling at a professional level.
More than 200 stems of flowers and foliage — including roses, Amaryllis, Cymbidium orchids, and chrysanthemums — were arranged into dazzling designs that blended traditional elegance with modern creativity. Vibrant hues of red and gold enhanced the gallery’s period décor, creating a festive yet sophisticated atmosphere.
A key feature of the project was the use of foliage sourced from Arley Hall’s own grounds, adding a personal, local touch that harmonised beautifully with the historic setting.
For the students involved, the project was not just a creative endeavour but a stepping stone toward their future careers in floristry.
Level 3 student Sian Nesbitt said: “Being part of this project has been a brilliant opportunity to gain real-world experience. Seeing our work displayed in such an iconic venue is amazing.”
James Jones, another Level 3 student, added: “This project gave us a real insight into working on a professional event. It’s been hands-on and challenging, but really rewarding.”
For adult learners like Caroline Jackson, returning to education made the experience even more meaningful: “This project has been such a joy to be part of. It’s not only allowed me to apply what I’ve learned but also to share something beautiful with the community at such a special time of year.”
Instructor Robyn Longden, who oversaw the project, emphasised the importance of real-world experiences at Reaseheath.
She said: “We’re committed to providing students with practical learning opportunities. This collaboration is the perfect example of how our students develop technical expertise, creativity, and professionalism, all while contributing to something truly special for the public, and it’s a fantastic experience to add to their CVs!”
Gell Binhammer, another Level 3 student, praised the hands-on nature of the project, saying: “I love the practical aspect of floristry. This project allowed me to be creative in a very real and satisfying way.”
Thaliya Smith highlighted the professional growth she gained, explaining: “Working on a live event has been a brilliant learning experience. It’s helped me understand the demands of the industry and how to meet them.”
For adult learners like Jessica Green, the project offered personal fulfilment: “Returning to education as an adult learner has been really rewarding and this event has given me the chance to get really creative.”
