Reaseheath florists awarded top medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
Talented floristry students from Reaseheath College, Nantwich, are celebrating after taking a top medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July 20 – 24).
The student team of Jacqueline Tudor, Shiona Fosh, Helen Cooke and Robyn Longden were awarded a silver gilt medal in the hotly contested RHS Future Florists competition.
Their achievement, which saw the students missing a coveted gold medal by just a few points, was outstanding as the show is one of Britain’s most prestigious horticultural events.
The students are now waiting to hear whether their success has qualified them for the national finals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017. Reaseheath’s florists have been runners-up for the national title at Chelsea in both 2015 and 2016.
The challenge at RHS Tatton this year was to create a costume suitable for the Rio Carnival. The students, who have just completed their Level 3 Diploma in Floristry, dressed a mannequin in the ‘hot ‘ colours of yellow, cerise pink and orange with flower varieties including Vanda orchids, Oncidium orchids, gerberas and roses.
Their stunning design, described by judge Sarah Cunningham as showing fantastic techniques and superb workmanship, is now impressing the thousands of visiitors to the Floral Design Studio.
Sarah, of the UK Floristry Judges Guild, said: “Reaseheath’s design really shouts Rio. This is a fabulous design in good proportion, made with a good choice of flowers with clever use of mirrors. This medal was extremely well deserved.”
Sue Poole, Programme Leader for Horticulture and Floristry, said: “I am so proud of my team of students and the way they have come up to the mark at a world class event. Competing at RHS Tatton gives our florists the chance to showcase the skills and knowledge they have learned through their vocational training. It also provides a platform for them to test their team work, problem solving, determination and handwork.”
The RHS Future Florists competition is designed to reward the best floristry college, school or training provider in the UK.
Competitors must enter a heat at either RHS Flower Show Tatton Park or RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to be in with a chance of progressing to the final at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017.
See Shiona describe their show design below >>
Header image caption: Floristry students Shiona Fosh, Robyn Longden, Jaqueline Tudor and Helen Cooke with their award winning design
