Issue 4 - The British Florist Association

Transcription

BFA
FLORIST
ISSUE 4
for today’s
professional
florist
£5.00
inside this issue:
College Corner
Students get ready to Shine
Sundries
Leading suppliers and one or two
bespoke gifts to give you some new ideas.
Looking forward to :
Masked Ball, BFA Industry Awards
& Fleurex 2013
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
A Centenary Celebration and
an introduction to this years finalists
Contents
03 WELCOME
04
PRESIDENTS LETTER / YOUR PAGE
Brand New - a page for BFA members to tell us what they need to know, ask your questions
and raise your queries - this edition - a competition.
06 WEDDING TRENDS
Featuring designs from our very own BFA member, Mike Soles - The Herbarium, Aldridge showcasing new trends and fashions in wedding flower design
08
GROWERS OF THE MONTH
BFA member Clare Ashcroft chats to
keen horticulturist James Cock, and Victoria Martin picks out ‘Neon’ hardy annuals
10
RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Meet the finalists - now the hard work really begins as they prepare for the final in May
12
THE FABULOUS FLORAL TWINS
Find out how Victoria & Jessica Richards are handling the competition against each other!
13
THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Get a sneak preview to this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and RHS Flower
Show Tatton Park
16
BFA INDUSTRY AWARDS & FLEUREX 2013
The place to be this October! Read about one of last years winners, Fiona Perry.
22
SUNDRIES
Elevating the simple to the sophisticated – the exciting world of accessories, personalised
mementoes and special keepsakes is transforming the way we think about floral gifts
38
COLLEGE CORNER
•Read all about our girl Chloe who is representing us in the WorldSkills Final
•An updated guide to what’s hot and what’s not in the world of training and education.
•BFA Tatton Team Award - Calling all students - this is your chance to shine in a right royal
way!
50
BUSINESS CORNER
up to date information regarding your business, legal things that matter to you and ways to
save money …. What are you waiting for?
52
YOUR STARS IN FLOWERS
with Astrologer Russell Grant
54 BFA BOOKSHOP
55
YOUR BOARD
A who’s who of the BFA
BFA
for today’s
professional
FLORIST florist
Dear BFA member
I would like to introduce myself, I am your
new PR and Communications Director and
I am really looking forward to making this
magazine, YOUR MAGAZINE.
I want to be pro-active and get issues answered that matter to
you. Let me have your questions or issues, email me at
pr@britishfloristassociation.org and let me know what matters
to you, what is important to you and how the BFA can help.
Following on from some bad press that the BFA received
recently I would like to reassure you that we are actively
working on your behalf to ensure that you get great deals
relevant to your business.
As a BFA member you are entitled to free HR advice through
HR4UK (in the next magazine we will be featuring all the
benefits of their service). You are also able to get cheaper
insurance through our associates Bridge Insurance, always
worth trying to save a few pounds!!! Check out our new
website which will be up and running at the end of May for
all the other fabulous benefits you can get by being a BFA
member.
Don’t forget that if you recommend your fellow florists in your
town to become members we will become even stronger, a
bigger force to be reckoned with and ultimately this can only
benefit you.
In this edition you can read all about our plans for the event
of the year - FLEUREX which is being held in Birmingham at
the end of October. Not only are you, as a BFA member
invited to join us for this exciting and undoubtedly amazing
event you can get FAST TRACK entry, but ONLY if you’re
a member!!!! To top it all the night before we will be
hosting our annual dinner and this year it is going to be an
extravagance, we are having a masked ball… and the BFA
Industry Awards will be a glitzy glamorous affair. Be sure to
book your place early, to avoid disappointment. Can’t wait
to see you there.
Now that I have been put in charge of PR and
Communications, I will be making sure that the BFA is heard
about, known about and talked about, but more importantly
that YOU are listened to.
I really hope you like our new look magazine and have as
much fun reading it as I have putting it together.
Sarah Cunningham
BFA Florist is published by Euromedia Associates Ltd, Rhone House, Canalside, Chorley PR6 0BU
General Manager: Emma Higham | Editor: Shirley Chisnall | Sales: Sharon Brookes
Production Manager: Sheila Helm | Creative Design: Nikki Carter
T: 01257 267677 | F: 01257 267711 | Editorial e-mail: editorial@euromedia-al.com
Advertising e-mail: bfaflorist@hotmail.co.uk
From the President...
I don’t think it is professional to enter
into public debate about comments
others make and I have always held
the view to “rise above it”, however,
I felt that I should respond to some of
the content included in the recent editorial of the newly
re-launched Florist & Wholesale Buyer.
Let me start by stating I can happily confirm that the BFA has considerably
more members than the estimated 500 mentioned in the article and we
are continuing to grow not only in numbers but also in what we do for
our members.
As I mentioned in the last issue of BFA Florist, there is a serious risk of both a skill
shortage and standards not being maintained within our Industry. I am very proud
that the BFA addresses these issues and actively encourages training programmes,
competitions and improving standards of the floristry trade. We carried out a survey to
all our members and a resounding 80% of members felt that training and maintenance
of standards was important or very important to their business.
The BFA provides affinity schemes and hundreds of members are absolutely delighted
with these. Good deals on insurance, assistance in HR are both areas that the BFA
members can benefit in and we are always looking for ways to get even more for our
members and I will continue to work hard in achieving bigger and better discounts for
BFA members to enjoy and assist them in the ever more difficult market that we trade
in now.
I can confirm that negotiations between the BFA and F&PA to form a merger went on
for some time at quite some expense and I too, have a paper trail I consider could be
interpreted in a number of different ways.
The accounts of the BFA are a matter of public record and yes, the association did
spend circa £140k on its activities throughout the year, but I don’t consider it “shameful”
that we did this, by providing florists with many affinity schemes and member benefits
such as employment legislation support, BFA Local events, which have been attended by
hundreds of florists up and down the country, numerous competitions to encourage new
talent and raise standards. The BFA used this money to bring together all major partners,
including colleges, employers, students and City & Guilds to form a new Training and
Education Committee, a promise I personally made to the Society of Floristry members
and the industry as a whole.
I do not consider it “shameful” to put together and host an annual trade show for
the industry. FleurEx, where florists get together in their hundreds, meet suppliers, see
new products and pick up ideas for their businesses through demonstrations by top
designers. The BFA also showcases professional florists and floristry at both RHS Tatton
Park and Chelsea Flower Shows. We ensure our members interests and indeed those of
non members too are protected by lobbying the Government both here and in Europe,
through our membership to the International Florist Organisation, FLORINT. This is what
just some of the money was spent on… along with all member benefits such as this
magazine, BFA Florist. I am very proud of the work that we do. “Shameful?” I don’t think
so. I would say, “a huge amount has been achieved and its money well spent” but I’ll
let you, our members and those that have attended a BFA event or been supported by
us, be the judge!
You will see a new face on our first page, it’s that of our new Press & Communications
Director, Sarah Cunningham, who joined the BFA board at our AGM last October.
Sarah is also overseeing the BFA Florist magazine. A very warm welcome to Sarah and
remember this is your magazine, so please do get in touch if you have anything to say.
As always, I thank you for your continued support and hope you enjoy the fourth issue
of BFA Florist.
Kind regards
Mark
Mark Ward, President, BFA
4
BFA FLORIST issue 4
‘Your
Page’
In future this
page will be
for you,
BFA members
We want you to give
us your top tips and
suggestions…. We are
here to answer your
questions about floristry
and the retail industry, so
send us your ideas and
tell us what you want to
know. Send them to pr@
britishfloristassociation.org
In this edition we are holding a
competition to win a ticket to Fleurex
2013 (see page 16 For details on
what’s included in your prize).
Simply send in a picture of your
shop or your favourite piece of work
that you have constructed.
Email a picture of it to me at
pr@britishfloristassociation.org
with a brief description of who you
are and why you think you should
be our Feature Florist and the best
one will be featuring in our next
edition of
The BFA Florist.
GOOD LUCK
EVERYONE, I look
forward to receiving
your entries.
WEDDING TRENDS
This month’s
featured florist
is BFA member,
Mike Soles of
the Herbarium,
Aldridge,
established 1996.
6
BFA FLORIST issue 4
Bridal work at Herbarium has always been a
large part of his business. They have never offered
price lists but prefer to sit down with their brides
in their studio. Away from the hustle and bustle of
the shop, they discuss ideas, themes and colours
to create bespoke designs for the individual
bride. Equally they can tailor make them, in cost
conscious ways, to suit the Bride’s budget.
Mike says “This year the Brides seem to moving away from
structured wedding flowers to more informal country flowers.
The afternoon tea theme is very big. Cascades on three tier
cake stands and glass jam jars filled with tanacetum, spray
roses and eustoma with fronds of delicate fern encapsulate
the theme”.
Classic whites and greens are still big news. In March at
Rowton Castle, Mike and his team created a very simple
display with greeneye roses, moss balls, anemones and
white spray roses worked through a willow frame adding
a twist to the rustic theme. The lily vase concept has been
updated with a willow circlet at the base, clustered with
moss balls, avalanche and white spray roses. The vase is
simply filled with willow twigs and twinkling lights. Classic
but simple
Mike Soles says “my overriding feeling for this year is
definitely simple, uncomplicated and not showy. Exotics
are definitely out! English flowers are most definitely in and
foliages such as rosemary (for rememberance) and senecio
(soft muted greys) with ivy and moss complete the theme.
Every year trends change, Bridal gowns get bigger then
smaller and these dictate the designs we create. Our job,
I believe is the best in the world and it’s certainly never
boring!”
BFA FLORIST issue 4
7
GROWERS OF THE MONTH
This month in our focus on British growers introduced by GILL HODGSON of Flowers from
the Farm – the national network of cut flower growers www.flowersfromthefarm.co.uk – BFA
member CLARE ASHCROFT travels down to Cornwall to visit James Cock, one of the area’s
premier grower and wholesaler. Clare was also busy last month organising and hosting a
meeting in the north west where two dozen florists and growers chatted together over lunch.
Next it is the turn of the north east where florists can come and discuss British flowers with
local growers over afternoon tea on 22 May near Darlington. It is a great opportunity to share
experiences and needs between our two sides of the industry. For more details e-mail gill@
flowersfromthefarm.co.uk.
Flowers by Clowance is one
of the larger Flowers From The Farm
members, it is a family run Cornish
business, based in the heart of the
commercial horticultural growing
region of the South West.
When I went to meet grower James
Cock, the grandson of the founder
of the company, he explained the
history of their flower growing business
and how it is adapting to meet the
requirements of today’s UK florists –
searching for a supply of British grown
cut flowers and foliages throughout the
year.
Three generations of the Cock
family have grown and sold British
cut flowers at Clowance Wood
Nurseries for more than 70 years and
8
BFA FLORIST issue 4
with successful re-branding in 2005
the business now also trades with the
name ‘Flowers by Clowance’.
Theodore Cock originally started
the nursery from Valley View Farm,
which is situated just down the hill from
the current site of Clowance Wood
Nursery at Praze, Camborne. The
business was based there for 22 years
until Theodore’s son, Alan, married Fae
in 1969, and the nursery was moved
to the present larger location.
James is now in charge of the day to
day running of the family business. He
explained he began his training at The
Duchy College in Cornwall gaining
a City and Guilds in commercial
horticulture before going to Pershore
College to study NCH and NDH in
commercial horticulture, achieving
student of the year on the NCH. The
latter three years at Pershore included
an industry year placement on a large
modern nursery in Somerset (Frank
Rowe Ltd).
He returned home in 1994 to work
on the nursery full time. I asked James
what, out of everything that they grew,
was his favourite flower.
“My favourite cut flower by a country
mile is Scented Stock,” he said. “In our
heyday as large cut flower producers,
we grew more than 100,000 stems
during the summer months. I can
always remember walking into the
stock house when the stocks were in
flower and smelling their amazing
scent.”
James explained that the core of the
business is growing British cut flowers
on a commercial scale. Clowance
Nurseries crops cut flowers all year
round under two and a half acres of
modern glass, half an acre of plastic
tunnels and 30 acres of arable land.
“We have a fleet of lorries including
two refrigerated sales lorries which
cover the whole of the county five
days a week. The van sales is a large
part of the business supplying all the
leading Cornish florists, hotels, and
convenience stores with fresh cut
flowers and sundries all year round.”
The internet became an integral part
of the business since the launch of
Hardy annual
bursting with colour
the Flowers by Clowance website in
2005 – www.flowersbyclowance.
co.uk. British Flowers Direct, is fast
becoming the biggest growth area
of the family business. UK florists
searching for a fresh and reliable
wholesale supply of British grown, cut
flowers and foliages all year round
can be sourced from the region.
James said: “I have embraced
this new customer base, e-mailing
more than 900 florists a week and
developed a thriving wholesale
business, supporting local growers
adding their flowers and foliages
to the ever expanding weekly
availability list.”
I can personally vouch for this
service, as I ordered some flowers
from James earlier this year for a
wedding I was doing in the north
west. I placed an order for narcissus,
tulips and anemones. The service was
great, price good, they arrived when
I asked, they were well packaged
and in great condition, the courier
that James used was also very good.
I went on to ask James about trade in
the first few months of this year.
The business also has a thriving
‘Flowers by Post’ service via their
website, available throughout the
year. They send their own grown
flowers all over the country and even
internationally.
The floristry department is another
busy part of the business. Clowance
Florists are kept busy with weddings,
hotel arrangements, bouquets,
flowers by post and funeral tributes.
The florists supply more than 100
weddings a year, from a simple
bride’s bouquet to church and
reception flowers.
To contact Flowers by Clowance`s
English Flowers Direct service, e-mail
james@flowersbyclowance.co.uk,
telephone 01209831317,
www.flowersbyclowance.co.uk.
Calendula officinale ‘Neon’ is the
most magical and transfixing of the
hardy annual flowers which I hope
to have ready for picking in May, at
the walled garden at Stokesay Court,
Onibury, Shropshire, writes Victoria
Martin.
Its violet-orange buds nestle in
among the fresh green leaves in the
border, biding their time until they
choose the moment to burst open, all
sherbet and shot silk, glowing orange
petals and a strange cold pink sheen
to the reverse and in the flower centre.
They seem extra fat and voluptuous
compared with other calendulas, and
look absolutely scintillating later in the
season when I pick them with hot pink
Achillea millefolium and foamy lime
green Bupleurum.
In May they accompany pale purple
sweet rocket and the deeper shade of
loosely held Honesty flowers, along
with late tulips in rich red, pink and
purple-black.
With successional sowing and a
lot of picking – but these irresistible
flowers are never going to be left to go
to seed in my sweet shop of a walled
garden – ‘Neon’ will keep flowering
up until the first frosts, when I pick them
with shaggy-headed chrysanthemums
in warm pink and marmalade orange.
One of the stars of the cutting garden.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
9
RHS CHELSEA
The Finalists
Victoria Richards
Di Marvell
Daisy Ellen Burgoyne
Kirsty Berridge
Emma Newman
Samantha Evans
Sophie Baptiste
Karen Sherwin
Jessica Richards
Charlotte Baker
Lavender Florist,
Penkridge
Askham Bryan College
Flowers by Evitavonni
Farnham
Lavender Florist,
Penkridge
Petals Florist,
Margate
Signature Flowers
Aylesbury
George Preston Florist
Newry Co. Down
Hubbards
Coventry
Flowers at Frosts,
Woburn Sands
Jemini, Oxford
Paula McLagan
Something Special Flowers
Blairgowrie
Nicky Heal
Nicky’s Flower Studio
Taunton
Sarah Atkins
Pinks of Hazlemere Ltd
Amanda Coghill
Amanda’s Creative Florist
Caithness
Alison Doxey
Academy of Floral Art,
Dunchideock
Julie Cambridge
Julie Cambridge Floral Design,
Letchworth
TheBFABFA
would like to wish each and every one of them the very best of
10
FLORIST issue 4
After hours and hours, weeks and weeks of sheer hard work, determination and much
head scratching!!, the designers who created and achieved entry into this year’s
coveted RHS Chelsea Flower Show Floristry Competition are now showcasing their
winning heat entries before they begin the challenge of the finals at the end of May.
Sarah Gregory
Stephanie Tue
Melanie Garbutt
Wendy McKay
Joe Massie
Rebecca Hough
Neil Whittaker
Siobhan Hughes
Sophie Watton
Caroline Crabb
Megan Troughton
Laura Leong
Tracy Griffin
Amy Manley
Erica Tippett
Pinks of Hazlemere Ltd
Plumpton College
Bleujen Florist
Bude
Rebecca Meddines
Academy of Floristry
Bournemouth
Stephanotis Florist,
Barnsley
A Secret Garden,
Hartlepool
Fleurtations
Bodmin, Cornwall
Tracy Griffin Flowers,
Hambledon
Passion Flowers Florist,
Pontefract
Design Element
Irlam, Manchester
City of Bath College,
Bristol
Hubbards Florist
Coventry
Sally’s Floral Studio,
Ballymena
George Preston Florist,
Newry Co Down
Moulton College
Bleujen Florist
Bude,Cornwall
f luck and hope they have a wonderful experience at RHSBFA
Chelsea
2013
FLORIST issue 4 11
RHS SUMMER SHOWS
RHS Chelsea The fabulous
Flower Show floral twins
“A Centenary Celebration”
Well, who knew that
these two were related?
You certainly can’t tell
from the photo can you?
Special BFA member offer £20.00
including postage and packaging.
Call 01235 400400
and quote 46BFAA
12 BFA FLORIST issue 4
Victoria & Jessica have
both qualified for the
finals at RHS Chelsea
this year and both are
extremely excited by the
challenge. Jess has told
Vicky that “she’d better
watch out, ‘cos this year
the prize is mine!”
In the past both
Jess and Vicky have
competed together and
have always supported
each other as well
as challenged each
other’s ideas. A good
combination me thinks!
However, this is the first
time that both of them
have qualified for RHS
Chelsea, so who knows
what might happen!
Both girls, as you
would expect, are
extremely close and told
me “Mum taught us to
share” so they are putting
words into practice by
sharing the limelight
at RHS Chelsea this
year…..
Jessica has previously
won a Bronze award
with Fusion Flowers as
International Designer of
the Year.
Both of them have very
different ideas in their
designs obviously I am
not at liberty to give any
information away as
to what they are doing
BUT I can tell you that
they have both spent
hours, and I mean hours
and hours preparing for
this event. Vicky told
me “I start working on
my design at 6pm after
work and often don’t
leave it until 2am… then
I go to bed, get up and
go to work and then
start all over again the
next evening”… now
that’s dedication. Jess
confirmed that any spare
moment she has, she is
eating, breathing and
dreaming Chelsea! Let’s
Jessica
Richard’s entry
Victoria
Richard’s entry
hope that both of them
create a stunning design
to wow the crowds and
even more importantly,
the Judges.
Good luck to both of
you, Enjoy yourselves!
Stunning
showcase
for
inspiring
floral
design
Inspiring garden
designs and
stunning floral
displays are a
feature at the
Royal Horticultural
Society summer
shows and there
is a lot to look
forward to in
2013.
RHS Hampton
Court Palace
Flower Show, on
9–14 July, and
RHS Flower Show
Tatton Park, on
25–28 July, have
both undergone
a redesign and
been split up into
distinct zones.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2013 has undergone a redesign
into distinct zones to enhance the visitor experience. Photo: Jon Enoch
Visitors will have the opportunity to
browse through each zone, which will
be themed and made up of plants,
gardens, food and shopping to reflect
the area.
Both shows will feature Grow, Inspire
and Escape zones. A fourth zone at
Tatton will be Feast. The Grow zone
will dive into the world of plants, Inspire
will feature conceptual design and fresh
ideas, Escape will transport visitors
away from the hustle and bustle of city
life to the countryside in the grounds
of Hampton Court Palace and the
‘seaside’ at Tatton Park.
Feast at Tatton will celebrate
everything ‘grow your own’, with a
focus on edible gardens and organic
produce, where visitors can forage
for ideas to take back to their own
gardens.
A highlight this year in the specialist
garden category at Tatton Park will
be the Galaxy Gardens, inspired by
the show’s location near Jodrell Bank
Observatory. From a star gazer’s
retreat to a thundering black hole
these designs aim to add a theatrical
statement at the show.
RHS shows director, Stephen Bennett,
said: “We have made exciting changes
to enhance the visitor experience
by introducing zones to the shows,
each with its own distinct flavour and
atmosphere taking the visitor on a
journey through these fabulous shows in
their spectacular settings.”
The theme for the Rose Marquee at
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower
Show is Vintage 50s, and events will
include the launch of the Rose of the
Year.
The Floral Marquee will be home to
around 95 top British nurseries, all in
the impressive setting of Hampton Court
Palace, East Molesey, Surrey.
The Floral Design Studio at RHS
Flower Show Tatton Park, will host the
Floristry College Competition when
students will present striking galaxythemed floristry displays. Colleges due
to be involved include Bishop Burton,
City of Bath, Neath Port Talbot, East
Durham and the Manchester College.
On 25-26 July the Floral Design
Studio will host the competition finals of
Interflora’s Florist of the Year and Florist
of the Future.
The BFA will also be holding
professional competitions and
demonstrations in the studio on 27- 28
July.
Interflora is celebrating its 90th
anniversary this year and will be
staging a display to mark this. The
display will feature different frames
each focusing on the floristry style of
that decade. (This exhibit will also be at
RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.)
There will be floristry and floral
arranging exhibits from The Cheshire
and North West Area of NAFAS,
Verdure Floral Design, The Black Rose
and a new exhibitor Fletcher & Foley
Floral Design.
On Ladies’ Day on Friday 26 July,
the author of ‘Gardening Women’,
Catherine Horwood, will be speaking
at the show, and Dennis van Wonderen
will be giving floristry demonstrations as
well as talking about his experience as
a florist.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
13
Lots of exciting things
are happening for
Chrysal this year
With the introduction of floral
foam at the end of last year and the
ever changing flower food industry,
Chrysal is about to take the next step
into the 21st century. At the beginning
of May, Chrysal will be launching
their newly designed website. Next to
this, Chrysal always makes sure that
they have an ever-growing library of
time-lapse films that show the effects
of their products.
There are big steps in the offline
world as well, with the introduction
of Chrysal Floral Foam ELITE in the
South African market and the college
program for UK floristry students.
The Chrysal website has had the
same design for quite some time
now and in order to keep up with
the current development in the online
world, Chrysal decided to update its
design – www.chrysal.co.uk.
The changes will mainly be focused
on the look and feel of the website
and not so much on the content as this
is continues to be regularly updated
with the introduction of new products
and services.
However, Chrysal will add a
wholesaler list to their website, making
it easier for florists to find a convenient
Chrysal stockist. Chrysal hopes to
make it easier for their customers to
find the information they are looking
for on all devices and platforms.
Throughout the years, Chrysal has
built quite a library of time-lapse films
on their youtube channel; simply
search Chrysal Flowercare. The main
purpose of these films is to show
the effects of their products to their
customers. The time-lapse movies are
made under controlled circumstances,
since this is the best way to
make sure that
all experiments
are done under
equal conditions. Feel
free to have a look at
their youtube channel
yourself.
Chrysal is also
making progress in
the offline world too
with Chrysal Floral
Foam ELITE reaching the
South African market
during April. To support
the launch, BFA events
director and owner of
van Wonderen Flowers, Dennis van
Wonderen travelled to South Africa
with the UK marketing manager Anne
Bricklebank to do demonstration
days at two big wholesalers. Dennis
and Anne visited both Johannesburg
and Durban to inspire the South
African florists and to give them
more information on how to use
Chrysal products – a full report
will follow in the coming issues.
Finally, just a small reminder
that Chrysal Glory is great for
wedding bouquets, but there
is another type of design that
could use a bit of Chrysal Glory.
Since rabbits strongly dislike the
product, Glory can also be used
for all outdoor displays including
of course funeral work – so don’t
turn designs into a treat for the
rabbits! www.chrysal.co.uk
RHS CHELSEA
BFA Industry Awards & Fleurex 2013
Masked Ball and BFA Industry Awards
At the Park Inn Hotel, West Birmingham
Saturday 26th October
This year, our famous Gala Dinner is being upgraded to a
Ball, a masked ball none-the-less! This event will surprise
each and every one of you. Be sure to book your place
early to avoid disappointment. See our new website for
package deals (available from the end of May 2013)
Following the success of the Industry Awards last year*, we will be launching this year’s
categories on our new website (end May).
Further details on how to nominate will be in the next issue of BFA Florist Magazine.
*
Fiona Perry from Moreton-in-Marsh was presented with an award last year at the BFA
Industry Awards after gaining the highest marks in the country in an examination taken
as part of her City & Guilds Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry.
“It was quite a shock” said Fiona on receiving her award in Birmingham, after
completing her qualification in July last year.
Fiona who squeezed in her studies whilst running her floristry business, qualified 7
years ago under the tutorage of Sarah Hills-Ingyon at Bicton College. She has never
looked back and now works from a purpose built studio in her garden, she is the
recommended florist by a number of leading Cotswold Wedding venues and does more
than 30 weddings a year….
Fiona is a firm believer in the value of ongoing training and is continually looking for
challenges and ways to develop her skills. “It’s never too late to learn” is her motto. She
says “It’s important to keep up with emerging trends, as design is such a strong part of
what I do.”
Her ultimate goal is to compete at Chelsea (Well Fiona watch out for the regional
heats being launched soon on our new website – end May)!
Fleurex Exhibition
Bethel Convention Centre, Birmingham
Sunday 27th October
Come and join us this year at our bigger, even better, show
NEW—Fast Track and early entry benefits just for members.
NO increase in price but NOW will include the Floral Design Demonstration Show
PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW !!!
NEWS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FLORIST
ORGANISATION - FLORINT
More news can be found at www.florint.org
The trade in fair trade
flowers, roses in particular,
is exploding in Germany.
Consumers in the Northern
European country bought
81 million Euros worth
of fair trade cut flowers
last year and the market
grew by 173%, fair trade
organisation Transfair is
reporting.
Germany is number
one on the list of countries
where fair trade is seriously
starting to take off. In total,
the country’s consumers
purchased €533 million
worth of fair trade products.
Coffee was the only
category that managed to
stay ahead of cut flowers, in
terms of sales.
257 million fair trade
stems were sold in 2012,
marking a whopping
increase of 173% relative to
the year prior. Roses were
by far the most important,
making up no less than 95%
of all the sales. Carnations
and lilies make up the
remainder. The decision by Edeka
Group – the largest German
supermarket chain – to start
selling fair trade flowers
appears to play a significant
role in the massive sales
increase. Other businesses
such as Lidl and the Metro
group have been increasing
their share of fair trade
products as well, however.
Well known flower
delivery service Fleurop
has also started offering a
broad range of fair trade
flowers as of last year, in
cooperation with importer
Omniflora. Transfair is a German
organisation that seeks to
promote and keeps tabs
on the trade in various fair
trade products.
Unknown, leafless orchid species discovered in China
A highly unusual orchid that was recently found by a tourist
trekking through Southern China is an entirely new species,
scientists have confirmed after careful investigation.
The unique orchid is completely leafless (allowing for no
photosynthesis!), almost entirely yellow in color and carries
larger seeds than any other known orchid variety. It has
officially been coined the ‘Danxiaorchis Sinchiana’.
The bloom was first discovered by traveller Zhu Jiaqiang
while he was trekking through the remote
mountains of Shaoguan, in Southern China’s
Guangdong province, in May of 2010. He was hiking
there with a couple of friends as he stumbled upon a patch
of six of the flowers in an otherwise entirely grassless area. Astonished at their unusual looks, Zhu snapped a few
photos and put them on the internet, which soon attracted
the attention of local botanists. Expert Zhai Junwen from the
South China Botanical Garden explains: “It is different from
any orchid species recorded. When I saw Zhu’s photo, I
saw it was very special so I contacted him immediately.”
Botanists and scientists from a number of Chinese
organizations interested in the discovered orchid joined Zhu
on a research trip to the mountains. Thorough study
confirmed the orchid was indeed a new species. The results
have just been published in famous U.S. open-access
science journal Plos One.
“The discovery of Danxiaorchis Sinchianahas enriched
the diversity and gene bank of the orchid species, and the
special structure of the seed provides a new research
interest for orchid evolution”, orchid expert Liu Zhongjian
comments.
Scientists have so far found 21 individual Danxiaorchis
Sinchiana in the area. They estimate there are less than
100 of the orchids in existence.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
17
Display furniture to create an enticing,
well planned retail environment
MDF Displays specialise in the design and manufacture of merchandising
display furniture in raw, melamine, laminated or painted MDF.
The company can supply plinths,
pedestals, tables, dressers,
bookcases, cupboards and point of
sale displays suitable for use in the
florist, garden centre, exhibition and
retail environments.They are also
able to custom build to individual
specifications.
In the current retail climate it is
essential for businesses to make sure
they are merchandising products to
their full potential. Having a carefully
planned display can lead to a
successful increase in sales.
The collection of ideas by MDF
Displays are priced to suit every
budget. Customers can choose from a
comprehensive range of standard MDF
displays, or ask us for a quotation for
bespoke volume roll outs. All units are
fully assembled and pallet delivered to
the customer’s door.
Payment is simple and easy using
the secure online ordering service,
or give us a call MDF Displays to
discuss specific requirements on
telephone 0845 873 3020, e-mail:
info@mdfdisplays.co.uk, or see the
website for more information www.
mdfdisplays.co.uk.
To see your
advertisement here
in the next issue of
BFA contact us on
01257 267677
BFA FLORIST issue 4
19
New range of flower and plant display
stands designed by Paula Pryke
Display specialist Croft Flower
Stands has launched a new
range of flower and plant stands,
designed and developed by worldrenowned florist Paula Pryke.
The range has been created so
that all units complement each other
in style and can be linked together
to form island displays, or perhaps
sit flat against the wall, giving florists
and store designers the ability to build
interesting displays.
Matching pedestals are also
available and each stand is hand
made in the UK, with Paula’s
trademark signature discreetly adding
the finishing touch.
Family-owned Croft Flower Stands
has been supplying display stands
to florists, garden centres and
convenience stores around the world
for more than 25 years. Last year
when looking to develop a range that
would enhance the appearance of
retail outlets and steer away from the
traditional bucket and hook method,
the managing director Matthew
Delamere turned to Paula Pryke.
Matthew Delamere said: “It was
noted that historically, stands have
always been black, matched with
black buckets, meaning displays
haven’t always been that inspiring,
especially for such a creative industry.
“The stands used now and in the
past are very functional but I wanted
something different and more up-todate for today’s retail environment. My
first choice for help with the project
was Paula Pryke who luckily agreed to
work with me and thus the Paula Pryke
range was developed.”
To get away from black, Paula
decided to paint the stands a Victorian
garden green colour to make the
stands eye-catching, fresh and vibrant.
Instead of buckets hanging off a
frame on hooks, it was decided to
make a feature of the buckets, and
as a twist offer chrome effect and
polished stainless steel to enhance the
appearance of the stand. Standard
plastic buckets can still be used if
required.
With the buckets standing on the
shelves, add-on products such as
candles, porcelain containers and
garden accessories can be displayed
between the flowers and plants. This
provides total flexibility to adding
interest to displays and encourage
additional sales.
The pedestals in the same style and
colour-scheme are handy when it
comes to building height in windows,
filling areas in shops or even on
location to display arrangements.
Matthew Delamere said: “We are
very proud to be working with Paula.
We’re sure our customers will love
Paula’s new range of displays too.”
In a special spring sale and to
mark the launch of the range, Croft
is currently offering a 10 per cent
discount off all stands in their range for
orders over £200.
To view the full choice of stands
and accessories including the all-new
Paula Pryke collection see www.
croftflowerstands.co.uk
Leading
international
consumergoods fair
In August each year, Tendence brings the latest products
from the consumer goods industry to Frankfurt to target
buyers for the second half of the year.
More than 2,000 exhibitors from across the world will
occupy nine exhibition halls showing the latest products for
the home.
Tendence is the international consumer goods fair for
the home and gift sectors and allows the industry to target
ordering for the autumn, winter and Christmas seasons,
not forgetting staying ahead for the following spring
season.
The show has recently been compacted into four days
to maximize buying opportunities for small and medium
volumes through to the container trade. With its focus
on mid to high-end market segments, Tendence is an
indispensable ordering platform for the trade.
From 24-27 August, Tendence will be the place to be
for the consumer goods industry at Frankfurt am Main.
The last event welcomed more than 45,000 visitors from
around the world in 2012 – a truly international event.
For more information e-mail info@uk.messefrankfurt.
com and to buy advance discounted tickets see website
www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com and www.tendence50reasons.com.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
21
SUNDRIES
Sundries with
the wow factor
By SHIRLEY CHISNALL
Scented candles, personalised mementoes, sundries and
special gifts can make an occasion extra special. They
also have the all important ‘feelgood factor’.
If your shop is like an Aladdin’s cave
it’s a real treat to drop in and look
around. We may not have aspirations
to be the next Kirstie Allsopp but
using the maxim that ‘less is more’,
sundries can elevate the simple to the
sophisticated and show that you have
taken that little bit of extra time and
trouble which makes everyone feel
special. At the other end of the scale
accessories can elevate a stunning
floral arrangement into a real showstopper.
Perfect for formal dinners, charity
galas, prom nights, more intimate
As example of an original vintage
1950s poster for Monte Carlo
featuring a girl holding a huge bunch
of flowers from AntikBar
celebrations or events on a grand
scale, everything from living vases to
silk flowers can keep floral designs on
trend in this year’s contrasting colour
palette incorporating delicate pastels
or dazzling neons.
Family occasions are the time to
show you care. In a busy world,
where we often live quite a long
distance from our closest relatives,
when we do all get together it is a
time to really splash out.
I could easily be described as the
ultimate non-party person. However,
this doesn’t mean I’ve no need for
special gifts, sundries, keepsakes and
accessories though. Far from it. On my
own birthday or anniversary I prefer
to celebrate with a meal for family
and friends – and then perhaps if it’s a
special milestone jet off on a special
holiday. In choosing a low profile
though, I’ve certainly not avoided
party planning, on all those family
celebrations – and deep down, of
course, I wouldn’t want to.
Our daughter’s wedding was
amazingly special, not to mention
welcoming new arrivals, Christenings,
and all the usual seasonal occasions.
If I could have found a great choice of
accessories and gifts at my local florist
this could have eased an awful lot of
stress.
I have scoured department stores,
the internet, books and magazines –
and I’m quite skilled in sourcing tips
and new ideas in the media. I’ve even
browsed online museum shops and
tourist hotspots when planning surprise
parties for parents and in-laws in a
desperate bid to find inspiration – with
time fast running out.
To be honest, even going for a meal
on my own birthday always involves
a mad scramble to track down small
Doris & Co
gifts for the younger members to take
home afterwards – or to help keep
them entertained during the meal.
Something to help them feel part of
the celebrations and remember the
occasion.
That’s where the whole world of
sundries and gifts can come into its
own, with items personalised to suit the
occasion.
More experienced BFA members
have told me when they first did their
training they used to have to do all
their floral arrangements using moss.
Today we take it for granted that
foam, ready made containers in all
shapes and sizes offer so much more
versatility. Some floral sundries are the
‘invisible essential’ that can unleash
even greater creativity.
Florists with their design skills and
creative genius are in the ideal
position to help customers to be more
creative with a range of exciting
sundries.
Florists can make their shop into
a great drop-in for quality gifts from
scented candles to chocolates to
complement floral gifts. They are
not critical in terms of shelf life.
Jewellery gifts for
the bridesmaids,
cheer-up gifts
or hand-made
goods do not
take up too
much space to
display.
Apart from
their add on
sales value
they attract
customers
in and
Tweet Tweet Home
improve the whole ambience of a
shop. Creative crafts generally are
booming – look at the craft suppliers
at Royal Horticultural Society flower
shows – craft fairs have also take off
across the country. Television’s Great
British Bake-off has got us inspired
to get baking, from birthday cakes
decorated with flowers to cup cakes
for fundraising bake sales.
Shoppers will soon make their local
florist their first choice when looking for
gifts for all occasions and who better
to have a keen eye for best sellers than
florists with their design skills.
As well as, of course, being able to
offer a superior choice of fresh blooms
and the option of a professional
design service, florists can come into
their own using their floral skills and
expertise to best advantage.
Ribbons and personalised cards add
the finishing touches to bouquets of
flowers from a florist, so they look even
more impressive than the standard
ready-to-go mixed sprays available in
non-specialist retailers.
Icebag
In this issue of BFA Florist magazine we’ve got together
with some leading suppliers and also found one or two
more bespoke gifts to give you a few extra ideas.
Doris & Co offer home wares of
pre-war quality, made to last in English
designs. Their mugs are based on
an 1820s shape, just pre-industrial,
cast by hand in English creamware in
Stoke-on-Trent and decorated in glaze
– utterly English. They are decorated
and fired in Kent and beloved by
florists. Other items include their
farmhouse range of jugs and utensil
jars – and a stoneware cheeseboard
which goes in the oven is a best seller.
For more details see the website www.
dorisandco.co.uk.
AntikBar is a London-based online
business specialising in original
vintage posters covering a variety of
subjects – travel, advertising, sport,
cinema, war and propaganda – from
around the world, mainly from the late
1800s to 1970s.
Posters are a great way to
add colour and an individually
unique statement to any room and
can be suited to the size and budget
as required. The variety of subjects
and styles in poster design make them
adaptable to any interior design and
perfect as a gift. Original vintage
posters are also highly collectible
and are recognised as a sound art
investment. As antique and vintage
items, they are also eco-friendly. For
more ideas and inspiration see website
www.antikbar.co.uk.
The POSH Graffiti
brand includes a wide range of hand
carved wooden decorations in natural,
gilded and hand painted finishes
suitable for florists. Their letters have
been used widely by floral designers
to personalise bouquets and their
numbers are used for table numbering,
birthdays and anniversaries. The hearts
and animal decorations also work as
florist sundries.
POSH Graffiti design and
manufacture everything themselves
and work with individual companies
to create bespoke designs. For
more information see website www.
poshgraffiti.com.
Tweet Tweet Home are birdhouses
made from recycled polypropylene
and are new into the UK. They come
flat-packed so make an ideal gift as
they are easy for posting. Available in
18 designs they can make great gift
boxes – open the lid and fill them with
tissue and chocolate eggs.
Icebag is a portable ice bucket made
from high quality, foldable PVC. It is
great for parties, picnics and events.
It makes an ideal gift – much nicer to
give a bottle of wine already chilled
in a practical re-useable ice bucket 
than in a cardboard wine bag that
gets discarded immediately. It has
been snapped up by some florists as
vases. It comes in a rainbow of colours
and designs. For more details on the
birdhouses and icebag e-mail info@
mbagencies.eu.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
23
SUNDRIES
William Higham wholesale flowers
T: 01942 862970 F: 01942 826971 www.williamhigham.co.uk
Wholesale
flowers, plants
and sundries
KVS Services is a specialist
importer of fresh-cut flowers and
pot plants.
Our team of traders have almost
150 years experience which,
when coupled to the strength of
our export partners worldwide,
combines to make a formidable
partnership.
Allied to this wealth of experience
is our commitment to our clients.
We buy flowers daily and deliver
throughout Essex, Suffolk and
East London six days a week.
T: 01268 570925
E: admin@kvsservices.co.uk
www.kvsservices.co.uk
WHOLESALE
• FRESH FLOWERS
• FLORAL SUNDRIES
• PLANTS
Online buying from
real time stock
• Weekly special deals
• Next day delivery
Wholesale Flowers In Scotland
Established in 1969, we’re proud to offer our retail partners a wide
range of mainstream and exotic flowers and foliage of the very highest
quality, sourced worldwide to ensure variety, choice and value for
money. By combining state of the art stock and communication systems
with modern management techniques, orders are delivered in perfect
condition on time, every time.
Contact us at:
Unit 4E, Blochairn Industrial Estate
Siemens Place, Glasgow
G21 2BN
T: 0141 552 1281
F: 0141 552 2500
E: sales@jtf.co.uk
www.jamestaylorflowers.com
SUNDRIES
Huge choice of excellent sundries
Those who thought that The I.S. Group was just
another sundry company with the same stock as
all the others may want to think again. It is one of
the largest mail order suppliers of florist sundries in
the UK, with a huge selection of products, many of
which aren’t found anywhere else, all at prices that
are hard to resist. So those who haven’t yet tried
them may want to register.
The I.S. Group takes sundries seriously. Their in-house
design team creates and sources products from around
the world to bring customers the very latest fashion trends
in glass, ceramics, basketware, gift bags and boxes,
accessories, balloons, soft toys, ribbon, wrap and much
more. Whether florists are creating an arrangement for a
wedding, new baby, birthday or funeral The I.S. Group
will have the sundries they need to help make something
fabulous at a reasonable price.
To demonstrate how beautiful and versatile their products
can be the catalogue is filled with pages of inspirational
floristry. Nowhere more so than the wedding collection
pages. Designed with today’s bride in mind, it brings
together an exceptional selection of bridal and venue
options to suit all types of themes and locations. Where
intricate detail counts there are picks, pins, buckles and
gems through to large-scale, show-stopping one metre high
elegant candelabras, Olympian-sized speciality glassware
and dazzling light centrepieces.
The April 2013 Directory is hot off the press and
bursting with workroom essentials including scissors, tape,
plasticware, foam etc, plus classics such as waisted glass
hand-tied vases and a tempting range of new products.
They are especially excited to introduce their new natureinspired bamboo range of pots which are sturdy and
strong and cost only a few pence.
An extensive range of new glamorous corsage bracelets
and dazzling hairpieces is available just in time for
businesses to promote to their customers for summer
weddings, proms and balls.
Orders of any size are accepted, no matter how small.
Delivery is free on all orders over £100 to mainland
UK and the sundries will normally be delivered the next
working day. For the rest of the UK and the Isle of Man,
Channel Islands and Eire delivery is free on orders of
£150 or more and the goods will normally arrive in
two working days.
Customers will be allocated their
own sales adviser,
a friendly voice
who will become
familiar with individual
businesses and be
able to advise on all
the products.
For instant
inspiration take a
look at the website
www.isgroupltd.
com. For further
information,
or to request
a directory
and set up an
account, call
the sales team
on telephone
01733
261000,
9am-5.30pm,
Monday to
Friday.
SUNDRIES
Businesses blossom with scented floral candles
For a sensory treat that will keep customers returning again and again, the floral
fragrances by artisan candle makers Potters Crouch Candles can make a lovely
accompaniment to any florists’ bouquet.
Floral fragrances include Lily of the Valley, Magnolia &
Vanilla, Daffodil & Narcissus, Rose Geranium, Gardenia &
Tuberose, Lavender & Amber, Hyacinth & Bluebell, Dewberry
Musk & Rose, Secret Garden, Wild Meadow & Elizabeth.
British made, each of their highly scented candles is hand
mixed, hand poured, hand labelled and finished using
the finest quality natural ingredients and original perfumes
created by an expert French perfumer exclusively for Potters
Crouch Candles.
With a secret blend of wax the candles burn for
approximately 50 hours. Each candle is encased in a
beautifully decorated tin, which is cleverly designed so that
when the candle is lit, the tin becomes warm helping to
‘throw’ and release the fragrance into the room.
For trade enquiries and prices telephone 01727
836454, e-mail info@potterscrouchcandles.co.uk or see the
website www.potterscrouchcandles.co.uk.
FEATHERS FOR FLORISTS
Jaffé et Fils Ltd
Wholesale feathers including feathers for all occasions
long established UK based manufacturing company
www.jaffefeathers.co.uk - info@jaffefeathers.co.uk
44 (0) 1297 33408
FOCAL POINT
The only national, independent trade association for professional florists.
In this section we will be giving you up to date information on events held
by the British Florist Association and when and where to find them.
New to this magazine?
Want to join the BFA and receive benefits* exclusive to members only?
Apply online TODAY at www.britishfloristassociation.org
(should you experience any problems please contact Carl at
secretariat@britishfloristassociation.org
who will be pleased to assist you with your application.
BFA MEMBER BENEFITS
Money saving affinity schemes
Training & Education
BFA “Florist” Magazine (Bi-monthly)
Newsletter via email
BFA Local Meetings—a chance to catch up with your fellow florists
BFA Floristry Competitions
Flora Culture International Magazine
Exclusive Fast Track Entry to Fleurex
Top Demonstrators at BFA events
DON’T DELAY, JOIN TODAY
£80.00 + VAT per year
YOUR VOICE
YOUR BUSINESS
YOUR INDUSTRY
YOUR FUTURE
YOUR TRADE ASSOCIATION
BE PART OF THE BFA!
BFA FLORIST | for todays professional florist
BFA FleurEx 2013
Stands and trade tables for this year’s BFA FleurEx, the only national trade show for
professional florists have gone on sale and with last year a sell out those wishing to exhibit
at the fifth FleurEx are urged to book now. With prices for exhibiting held at the same price
as last year demand is sure to be high, some of those present last year have already booked
including, amongst others, Bridge Insurance Brokers and Chrysal.
President of the BFA, Mark Ward said “Last year’s show
at the new venue, the Bethel Convention Centre was a
great success with all the trade tables and shelled scheme
stands sold out, providing delegates with twenty six
exhibitors, everything from insurance to floral sundries, fresh
flowers and even Christmas Trees were on display.” Mark
went on to say “With almost five hundred visitors last year,
an increase on 2011 it really is a must for all those involved
in the supply of products and services to professional florists
to be there.”
To book for the show this year call 0844 800 7302 or
email president@britishfloristassociation.org
for an exhibitor pack.
BFA continues to receive great industry support – Bridge Insurance Brokers,
Chrysal and Country Baskets all pledge sponsorship deals to the BFA for 2013
The industry continues to support the only recognised trade association for the floristry industry. Continuing their support
for the BFA Bridge Insurance Brokers have pledged sponsorship for this year’s second BFA Industry Awards, following their
support last year Bridge have continued to support this new addition in the floristry calendar. In addition to this Bridge will
also be a sponsor in the new BFA/Society of Floristry Training Fund Floristry Definitions Hand Book due to be launched
next year.
Chrysal, famously known for their flower care and conditioning solutions and more recently with their newly launched
Chrysal Floral Foam are to be a sponsor of this year’s BFA Industry Awards too. Andrew Hey, managing director of Chrysal
UK said that he is delighted to support the BFA with the new industry awards, helping to promote excellence and recognise
those individuals who support the industry.
Country Baskets will continue to support a number of BFA projects and events this year. Everything from BFA Local events,
some to be hosted at Country Baskets outlets (check the BFA website for details) to the BFA demonstration stage in the Floral
marquee at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show this July in Cheshire. In addition Country Baskets will also continue to support
the BFA with the WorldSkills UK competition heats held at various colleges.
Speaking of the sponsorship deals president of the BFA Mark Ward said “It’s always a real pleasure to get out and meet
with our corporate members and supporters. I am very grateful to all of our members for their support. In particular the BFA
are not only grateful but proud to work with our sponsors. Bridge, Chrysal and Country Baskets continue to support the BFA
and the work that we do on behalf of many florists the length and breadth of the country.” Mark went onto say “Without
the support of our sponsors some of the projects and events that we run would not be possible”
The BFA extends a very warm welcome to the following new Corporate members to the association
and thanks them for their support;
Flower Council - www.flowercouncil.org/uk | G-Fresh - www.g-fresh.nl
Opiflor - www.opiflor.co.uk | UK Superweb Ltd - www.floristwindow.com
More information on the companies listed above can be found by visiting the BFA website and clicking on the Links Tab.
FleurEx 2013 - Sunday 27 October
Bethel Convention Centre, West Midlands
Annual Industry Awards & Masked Ball on Saturday 26 October
– sponsored by Bridge Insurance Brokers and Chrysal
PRICES HELD! Exhibit at FleurEx from just £250* for a
trade table and from £800* for a full shelled scheme with
spots and power point.
Last year was a sell out – book now!
Call 0844 800 7302
or email president@britishfloristassociation.org
Full visitor details in the next issue of BFA Florist
Update on UK Floristry Judges Guild
Competition work is an avenue which appeals to many florists and it is an ideal way to
improve your skills, test your capabilities and stretch your mind. The UK Floristry Judges
Guild was set up to provide a structured judging criteria and follows a strict code of ethics.
At the last Study Day at
the end of March, the
Judges Guild spent the day
marking competitions and
updating their knowledge.
The following day was
the AGM and a new
Chairman, Ian Lloyd was
appointed. Ian takes over
his new role from Tracy
Tomlinson who pioneered
the UKJFG. Frances Fenwick
became the new Vice-Chair
and Sarah Cunningham,
Secretary. All the judges
thanked Tracy for her hard
work and dedication before
Ian presented her with a
stunning bouquet and an
exquisite flower design
brooch.
The first round of UK World Skills heats have taken place and it was an event not to be missed. Sandie Griffiths
Training And Education director has spent many weeks getting this up and running and a huge credit to her for
involving so many colleges and students in this competition. The UK World skills is an opportunity like no other and
it is great to see so many young people getting involved and enjoying their creativity. The heats take place over
the next few months and will culminate in a grand final at the NEC Birmingham in November. The BFA would like
to thank Sandie and her team for all their hard work and wish each and every entrant the very best of luck.
Oxford florists achieve first place
The Worldskills UK 2013
competition heats are now
underway. One of the first
heats took place in brilliant
sunshine at Greenshoots,
Manor Farm, Henley on
Thames on Sunday 21 April.
There were some very
good entries and the
competitors then had two
further pieces to make in situ.
While the final competition
pieces were being judged
by the lead judge Lynda
Owen, assisted by Frances
Fenwick, Victoria Richards a
past WorldSkills Champion,
spent time with the
competitors showing them
techniques and telling them
about her journey to the
WorldSkills final.
Samantha Evans from
Jemini Florists won first place
in the advanced section
and Zoe Rowlinson from
The Garden took first place
in the intermediate section.
Both shops are based in
Oxford’s historic covered
market.
Samantha and Zoe and all
the competitors from Sunday
will not know until the end of
the all the heats whether they
have earned enough points
to make it to the Skills Show
on 14-16 November, at the
NEC, in Birmingham.
Website News
Our brand new “all singing, all dancing” website is being built as we speak and this time it is JUST for members.
Brand new features will include a “how to track a
competition”, it’s rules and regulations, where to apply and
the full schedule will all be available at the touch of a button
(it might even tell you what the prize is!!)
There will be a who’s who and how to contact them. A
noticeboard will be updated regularly telling you latest
information important to you, our BFA members.
Tickets for events such as Fleurex and the Masked Ball
will be available on the site too along with the ability to
purchase other tickets and books
Of course there will be an option for non members to join
and that too will be simple to use.
Launch date is expected around the end of May….. We
will be emailing all our members to tell them when it’s up an
running so watch out for that……
WE HOPE YOU LOVE IT AS MUCH AS WE DO!
Festival will feature
thousands of flowers
Winchester Catherdral is to host its first flower
festival for 10 years this summer. Symphony of
Flowers, will take place from 12–16 June 2013.
A spectacular array of floral displays will fill the medieval
building with colour and, outside in the Inner Close, there
will be other horticultural displays, a market and a range of
refreshment opportunities and other facilities.
 The event is being organised in conjunction with
the Wessex and Jersey Area of NAFAS, the National
Association of Flower Arrangement Societies. The creative
director is Angela Turner and her design team are Pip
Bensley and Pauline Hurran, whose collective work has
received national and international acclaim.
The floral designs will be created by hundreds of NAFAS
members and the cathedral’s own flower arranging team
involving thousands of flowers in the historic building.
Proceeds from Symphony of Flowers will go to support the
internationally renowned music of the cathedral, and it is
planned that there will be a range of musical experiences as
well.
For tickets and more information contact the cathedral box
office telephone 01962 857 275 or see www.winchestercathedral.org.uk.  
BFA FLORIST issue 4
29
SUNDRIES
Attractive greetings cards in floral design
Colour House Graphics publish and supply
quality greeting cards to the trade and have
recently published another 12 floral designs
from bespoke original artworks.
This product provides additional profits with
little or no extra work for a busy florist, and as
every card is individually cello wrapped by
hand there is no risk of stock being damaged
by spraying flowers.
Designs can be viewed on their website
www.colourhouisegraphics.co.uk and ordered
using most credit cards. All prices shown
include VAT with free delivery to mainland UK
within a few days.
Alternatively an associate company Colneis
Marketing offer different styles of greeting cards
including many floral cards on their website
www.colneisgreetingcards.com which offers
similar terms.
In today`s economic
climate an additional revenue
and profit stream is always
welcome and a greeting
card is often a natural add
on to a floral gift.
Ornaments make an impact within floristry windows
Following their recent success at a Spring Fair, ABitQuackers has seen the range of their products
stocked by florists expand, from an initial focus on cherubs and angels to include sheep,
sheepdogs, pigs and more.
The range adds a strong visual impact with their Super Sized animals proving a real draw when
displayed outside at the front of premises.
In the last year or so they have developed a much broader range catering for most tastes and
making ordering easy.
Anyone interested in more details can contact John Guest on telephone 02380 769455, e-mail
info@abitquackers.co.uk, or go to the website www.abitquackers.com and using the password
‘nothingventured’ browse the catalogue and price list, before taking the plunge.
A greeting card and a vase all in one
Card Vase provides a new alternative to
enhance any bouquet at the point of delivery.
The simple flat-packed Card Vase is easily
assembled, in seconds, to form a water-tight
vase suitable to hold water and a bouquet of
flowers. Each vase features a writing panel
to include a personalised message for the
recipient.
There are a range of designs to suit all
occasions, such as birthday’s, new born,
Huge choice
of products
from online
store
celebrations and funky prints, including four
designs from Carte Blanche’s bestselling brand
Me To You ‘Tatty Teddy’ character.
Trade and wholesale prices are available
on request.
Check out the website for a full range of
designs www.bloomingsimple.com or contact
Patrick Gavin e-mail info@bloomingsimple.
com, or telephone 020 8301-5151.
Florist Sundries Online has new
lines being added weekly. Based
in the Midlands and with more than
20 years experience within the florist
wholesale trade the business aims to
provide a service which is second to
none.
The essential website for sundries
and supplies it has a stock more
than 800 lines, including Val
Spicer Designs products, APAC
(AP Glassware) and Smithers-Oasis
products.
Florist Sundries Online is continually
adding to its range of products and
strives to provide customers with both
the best product choice and price.
Florist Sundries Online can be found
on Twitter and Facebook for upto
the minute information regarding the
company, products and events.
For more details see the website
www.floristsundriesonline.co.uk
Colour House Graphics
Quality greeting cards
NEW 2013
BROCHURE
NOW LAUNCHED
• Great products
• Great prices
Gain Extra Profits
with Greeting Cards
Floral and other ranges
Order on line from
www.colourhousegraphics.co.uk
or
www.colneisgreetingcards.com
• Great Service
• Over 100 products online
For a brochure and price list, please either;
Call John on 07728 377261, Email info@abitquackers.co.uk
Or visit www.ABitQuackers.com
(password is nothingventured)
Free delivery to mainland UK
Tel: (01394) 271668
FLORIST SUNDRIES ONLINE
Essential Florist Sundries & Florist Supplies On One Site!
• Brands (Me To You, Tatty Teddy)
• Seasonal ( Valentine’s, Mothers Day)
• Everyday (birthdays, new born, funky designs)
• Bespoke (any event, design or company logo)
CDU
PACKAGE
DEAL
Based in the Midlands and with over 20 years experience within
the florist wholesale trade; we at Florist Sundries Online aim to
provide a second to none service to you the consumer.
To see our full range visit us online at
www.floristsundriesonline.co.uk
02476 393778 - enquiries@floristsundriesonline.co.uk
BFA FLORIST issue 4
31
The Flower Market Guide to
... British summer flowers
Ever since Sarah Raven’s award-winning BBC television programme about
British Cut Flowers in 2007, the industry has enjoyed a renaissance.
The Best of British Flowers, an event
at New Covent Garden Flower
Market in 2008 compered by Sarah,
was relayed on BBC Breakfast, and
reported in The Daily Telegraph and
the trade media. Numerous small scale
growers have since sprung up around
the country, collaborating under the
Twitter banner of #britishflowers and
supplying local farmers’ markets and
retailing online, supermarkets are
switching on to British, and every
Valentine’s Day the subject of buying
British resurfaces as a hot topic.
Throughout all these transitions,
New Covent Garden Flower Market
has resolutely remained the wholesale
centre for British cut flowers. Fifteen of
its 18 independent flower wholesalers
offer British flowers throughout the
year and have done so for literally
centuries. Florists who want to get their
hands on British grown flowers need
the Flower Market.
By June, the Flower Market is awash
with beautiful, scented British flowers
from all corners of the countrey. Mick
Waite, of British flower specialist
Pratley, tracks the progress of the
seasons through the country with a
flower making its first appearance of
the year with suppliers in Cornwall
and the Scilly Isles and the last with
growers in Scotland.
George Stokes of Goodchild notes
that British-grown flowers amount to
half his stock in the summer months.
“When exactly summer starts
depends on the weather, of course,”
qualifies George, before going on to
list just some of the varieties stocked
in the Flower Market from early June:
peonies, cornflowers, sweet peas,
sweet williams, echinops, delphiniums,
larkspur, Doris pinks, anenomes,
ranunculus, dill, cow parsley,
lilies, stocks and British orchids,
mock orange, alchemilla mollis,
snapdragons, foxtail lilies, hydrangea,
gladiolus, phlox and the list goes on.
Top London florists Robbie Honey,
Rebel Rebel, Amanda Austin, Paul
Thomas and Scarlet & Violet to
name but a few are passionate
about working with British Flowers in
season. These loyal customers of New
Covent Garden Flower Market quote
its extensive offer of British seasonal
materials as one of key reasons for
their loyalty.
Paul Thomas recalls how, on a
scouting trip to Holland, he visited
glasshouses full of spectacular
delphiniums, and how, before his
eyes, any with a kink in the stem were
being cut down. ”I was horrified,”
said Paul. “What I love about British
flowers is that they have character, a
more natural charm, which translates
beautifully into our designs.”
From relaxed vintage displays of
flowers in teacups and jam jars to
more formal urn arrangements, to
romantic bouquets, garlands and
headdresses, British summer flowers
are supremely versatile in season. Their
delicious scents are evocative and
romantic and make them perfect for
summer weddings, parties and events.
In summer, British flowers come to
the traders at least three times a week
arriving freshly picked from the nursery
into the market overnight ready for sale
from 3am on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays. Regular customers can
order stock, otherwise it is the early
bird that catches the best flowers in
summer. George Stokes recommends
being on site at 5.30-6am.
For the most part, British flowers are
presented dry-packed and sold by the
box as wholesale units. As for prices,
the best deals are to be found in peak
growing season when the supply and
demand balance tips in the buyer’s
favour. As Vic Brotherson of Scarlet
& Violet said at the recent Bloom
and Bust talk: “If you’re a bride, get
married at the end of May or into June!
In our shop in summer, the balance of
British to overseas grown changes from
20:80 to 50:50.”
For those who are not able to come
to the Flower Market, but would like
the exquisite British summer flowers
there is Flower Market Delivered – a
next day delivery service offered
by select wholesalers to addresses
all over the UK mainland. Alagar,
Bloomfield, Dennis Edwards Flowers, R
Cook & Sons, R French & Sons and A
Goodchild all offer a stunning range of
British-grown flowers and can advise
on what’s looking good and how to
buy. For more information see website
www.newcoventgardenmarket.com
British Flower Week 17-21 June 2013
New Covent Garden Flower Market
will be celebrating the beauty and
richness of our homegrown summer
flowers in its first ever British Flower
Week, from 17-21 June 2013.
It will be a week of inspiration, ideas
and information online at website www.
newcoventgardenmarket.com featuring
work from five of London’s premier
florists, a focus on five of the most
beautiful summer flowers on five days
in June.
The Flower Market will not only
feature the biggest and best range that
British growers have to show but there
will also be a special offer on free
British strawberries and cream to enjoy.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
33
WHOLESALERS
The charm of rosette-style roses for weddings
Florists looking to bring a fresh, garden-inspired
feel to their wedding designs are naturally drawn
to luxury, many petalled roses.
The character and charm of David Austin’s
varieties makes them very recognisable. The
breeder maintains one of the largest rose
breeding programmes in the world and is almost
single-handedly responsible for a change in our
expectations of roses for weddings and events.
One of his more recent introductions, ‘Keira’,
has a glorious, but variable blush picotee effect
that would rule it out of most other breeders’
collections. This natural style, combined with the
pure, glowing colours of David Austin’s roses,
helps them to work beautifully in the widest
possible range of wedding colour palettes.
Visitors to the social media site Pinterest will be
able to see David Austin’s rosette-style roses – in
particular, his most famous, £3 million variety,
‘Juliet’ – pinned to the wish lists of many brides-tobe in an assortment of colours and styles.
By offering roses which have so much allure –
not just fragrance and form, but more intangible
things too, like romance and tradition – florists can
create a package of wedding flowers which is
likely to send not just the bridal party but all of their
guests into raptures.
Supply of these premium roses is limited, so
David Austin Roses advise that florists place orders
early. For more information, contact David Austin
Roses on 01902 376302.
Quality fresh flowers, plants and sundries
G&M Hale is a family run business
based in the heart of the Black Country
for more than 30 years, offering a full
and extensive range of fresh flowers,
plants and sundries.
Fresh flowers arrive daily from
both the continent and English
growers. With such a wide range
of suppliers G&M Hale is able to
stock an excellent and comprehensive
range of quality cut flowers and
foliage, everything from carnations,
chrysanthemums and roses to tropical
and exotic stems.
Their plant department is rapidly
expanding, catering for all garden
lovers’ needs. It offers everything from
grow bags and compost, seasonal
plants, hardy’s and perennial’s, plugs
and bulbs and even garden ornaments
and stone wear.
The sundries department stocks all
the essential florist items and equipment
and much more. A new and varied
range of silk and foam flowers is
something a little bit different to inspire
and excite floral designers.
For more information telephone
0121 520 4491, or for sundries
telephone 0121 520 6686
Fresh Flower offers 5 times a week
Equipment and supplies for florists
G&M HALE LTD
Tel: 0121 5204491 Fax: 0121 5574784
G&M HALE SUNDRIES LTD
Tel: 0121 5206686
Unit 1 Brook Street , DY4 9DD Tipton
Email:wolverhamptonflowers@rocketmail.com
www.wolverhamptonflowers.co.uk
William Higham
Wholesale flowers
Servicing the needs of florists
throughout the North West of
England since the1940’s
spray
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dried
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T: 01942 826970 F: 01942 826971
E: sales@williamhigham.co.uk
www.williamhigham.co.uk
BFA FLORIST issue 4
35
WHOLESALERS
New online shop
for flowers, plants
and sundries
A new web shop has been launched by C. Scruton Flowers to give customers the opportunity to go online
and buy flowers, plants and sundries from stock – and either collect, or have them delivered the next day.
Eventually all the stock in the ‘virtual
warehouse’ will be displayed with a
photograph for each product.
Moving into the wedding season
Scruton Flowers has vast experience
in ordering a huge variety of flowers
for florists to offer brides.
A wedding demonstration on 18
April was a fantastic success. Neil
Whittaker created some fantastic
designs and gave florists some
inspiration for future weddings.
It was a great opportunity to get
together and showcase new varieties
of flowers and plants that Scruton
Flowers has in the warehouse.
The business prides itself on
delivering high quality flowers from
all around the world to customers.
For help when ordering wedding, or
event flowers, contact Nick Scruton
who will be pleased to advise.
A wide variety of Columbian and
Kenyan roses and spray roses, which
are fantastic quality and are great
value for money, are now in stock.
All the stock can be viewed on the
web shop.
The business also takes pride
in supporting British growers,
buying plants and flowers from all
around the British isles, from lilies
to daffodils, bedding plants and
hanging baskets.
Trade customers who want to
come and have a look round are
more than welcome.
For more information see website
www.scrutonflowers.co.uk.
NEW
WEBSHOP
Warehouse sales
and deliveries
throughout North,
West and parts of
South Yorkshire
Fresh
stock 6
days a
week
Bespoke
stock
sourced with
little notice
TRADE
ONLY
Large
Selection of
flowers, plants
and sundries
Friendly
and helpful
service
Stocking products
from all over the world,
including British,
Dutch, Columbian,
Kenyan, Italian, Israeli
and Sri Lankan
Weddings
and events
specialist
Long
established
business for
over 85 years
Contact: Nick & Judith Scruton
T: 0113 3807 800 E: orders@scrutonflowers.co.uk
W: www.scrutonflowers.co.uk FB: C Scruton Flowers
ZEST FLOWERS LTD
Specialising in wholesale, weddings and contract flowers.
We stock high quality English flowers and Import flowers from around the world.
FOR ANY HELP OR INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF OUR SPECIALISTS
Graeme Diplock, Terry Barry or Barry Johnson.
ZEST FLOWERS LTD | New Covent Garden | London | SW8 5NA
T: 020 7498 7574 | M: 07734 168903 | E: zestflowers@o2mail.co.uk
HEEMSKERK FLOWERS +
Probably the world’s leading flower webshop
© Amanda Fales Shaw | Dreamstime Stock Photos
MADE FOR WEDDING FLOWERS
LARGEST SELECTION AT COMPETITIVE PRICES
Flowers, Plants and Decorative articles
FASTEST, EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE DELIVERY SERVICE
5 days per week to most area’s in UK
BEST CUSTOMER CARE
Personal account managers & webshop advisors
A. Heemskerk B.V., Laan van Verhof 65, P.O. Box 203,
2230 AE Rijnsburg (0031) 714098100
info@heemskerk.org www.heemskerkflowers.com
BFA FLORIST issue 4
37
COLLEGE CORNER
Sandie Griffith is Chairman of the Training and Education Committee. Along with
her committee she is searching for Tutors to join the Tutors Group, headed up by Ann
Paisley. Send Ann your details if you are interested to annpaisley@wiltshire.ac.uk
to be added to the mailing list. There will be a City & Guilds Standardisation event for
tutors PLUS a workshop led by Tina Parkes on Saturday 26th October. BOOK NOW
STUDENTS—DON’T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR TUTOR OF THE YEAR AT THE
INDUSTRY AWARDS IN OCTOBER OR VOTE FOR BEST COLLEGE OF THE YEAR
See the new BFA website (available end May)
Institute of
Professional Florists
Exciting news about the Institute of Professional
Florists—A brand new concept which allows
professional florists to track their skills and
input information onto a software device that
will enable you to further your development
within the industry. From Students to long term
professional florists, this will be an opportunity
for you to enhance your skills and update your
records at the touch of a button. This is a really
exciting project designed to standardise and
get recognised training within the industry.
e are looking for a really Pro-active
W
student (we know there is one out there
somewhere!) to communicate to all the other
students across the country about the Institute
of Professional Floristry. If you are that person,
email me at Sandie@jemini.co.uk
FLORISTRY
DEFINITIONS
HANDBOOK
A brand new “bible” for any working florist. This
is being written as we speak and in conjunction
with the Society of Floristry Training fund will be
a very exciting project. It is expected to take
approximately 18 months so hang in there, but it
will be worth the wait!
World Skills UK
Competitions
The heats are now underway and the dates and
venues are listed below
1st May
12th May
18th May
1st June
9th June
Farnborough College, Hants
Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset
North Warwickshire &
Hinckley College
CAFRE, Belfast
Manchester College
We have approximately 105 entries and from
these six students in each category will go forward
to the Skills Show, November 14th –16th.
The theme this year is Interior Design Awards
and the competitors have to bring a floral cushion
to be used as part of an exhibition.
On the day of the competition the Intermediate
students have to design a corsage to be worn
by a leading designer at the Awards Ceremony
whilst the Advanced students are asked to create a
bridal bouquet for an innovative home accessories
designer.
Finally all competitors have a surprise item to
complete. A very full agenda and a lot of hard
work and effort goes into the day.
First-class training enables students to excel at national level
South Staffordshire
College has an
excellent track record
in floristry including
success in the
WorldSkills arena.
Floristry student Victoria Richards
represented Team UK at the
WorldSkills International Final in
London in 2011. She went on to
win a Medallion for Excellence,
as recognition of the very highest
standard of workmanship in her
chosen category.
Victoria, aged 23, studied at the
college’s Rodbaston Campus and
won her place on Team UK, after
competing in regional competitions,
going on to win gold at the national
final.
She qualified to compete for squad
selection to represent the UK, and
was chosen from a shortlist of more
than 1,500 young people. Victoria
visited Buckingham Palace to receive
recognition for her selection.
Victoria’s success demonstrates the
outstanding training and education
given by South Staffordshire College,
which has been recognised as the
most successful college in Staffordshire
for the third year running.
For more information www.
southstaffs.ac.uk.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
39
COLLEGE CORNER
Spotlight on Chloe Woolf
Chloe outside Bluebell Flowers,
Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes.
Chloe Woolfe, 21, from Bluebell Flowers, Newport
Pagnell, Milton Keynes is our World Skills
representative in Floristry and will be competing
among the top young florists from other countries
in Liepzig, Germany in July this year.
Chloe initially was encouraged by Moulton College
to enter any and every competition. They told her it
was invaluable, quite rightly so, and Chloe first entered
the UK Skills regional heats, held at the College, but
was unsuccessful in securing a position in the finals.
Undeterred, Chloe continued to put all her efforts into
increasing her skills and applied to enter the World Skills
competition, through Steph Willoughby. This time her
patience paid off and she qualified along with five other
girls. Through a process of elimination (and pressured
tests, of course) the World Skills Team was whittled down
to three and now Chloe is going to Leipzig to compete at
the finals.
Chloe says “the best thing I have learned from this
experience is having confidence in my own ability…. I
have even built up enough courage to travel on my own,
something I’ve never done before”…
The finals are no mean feat either, previously these have
entailed competing in 12 separate tasks over a period of
four days, so Chloe certainly has her work cut out. The
BFA would like to wish Chloe the very best of luck and
wish her well.
GO CHLOE !!!
The Skills Show appoints new chair
Teacher Carole Stott is the new chair of The Skills Show, following
the decision by Chris Humphries to step down at the end of 2012.
Awarded an MBE in January 2012 for her services to adult education,
Carole Stott has worked in further education as well as in schools.
She is the chair of the board of the
Association of Colleges and also chair
of Governors at City Lit, in London,
one of the largest adult education
centres in Europe. She joined the City
Lit board following a long career in
adult education. She has also worked
as the chief executive of a national
qualification body, maintaining her
interest in the sector as a consultant.
Carole Stott said: “The Skills Show
is the most exciting event launched
to support vocational learning and
training for young people in the UK in
recent years.
“I am thrilled to be given the
opportunity to make my contribution
in such an important role. I am really
looking forward to working with
the board, which has a wealth of
expertise among its members, and will
be working with them to ensure that the
event continues to grow and prosper
under our guidance.”
Ross Maloney, the chief executive
of The Skills Show, said: “Carole joins
us at an exciting time with our funding
secured for the next two years and
innovative plans being developed for
its future expansion and increased
impact. The board and I look forward
to working with her to secure The Skills
Show’s position as the UK’s leading
destination for vocational education
and training.”
Chris Humphries had been chair of
UK Skills since 2000 and in 2006
he led the successful bid to host the
WorldSkills competitions in London
in 2011. Awarded the CBE for
services to training and enterprise in
June 1998, he has also worked with
successive governments as an advisor
in a variety of education and training
areas.
Ross Maloney said: “Chris’s input
to the formation and success of The
Skills Show has been invaluable and
his experience of and insight into
the sector has helped to shape the
incredible property which we now
have. We will miss his wisdom – and
his wit – and wish him all the best in
his next venture.”
Additionally three new members
– Sir Geoff Hall the chairman of
the Information Authority and former
principal of New College Nottingham,
Angela Joyce the principal of
Peterborough Regional College, and
Barry Liles, Coleg Sir Gar principal
and Skills Champion for Wales – have
all been elected to the Board of The
Skills Show.
COLLEGE CORNER
Looking forward to inspiring showcase performances at THE SKILLS SHOW
One of the UK’s largest skills and
careers events, The Skills Show
provides an opportunity for visitors
to learn more about a wide variety of
different skills, including floristry, and
find out about the courses and the
career paths available.
To inspire visitors to The Skills Show
2013 at the NEC in Birmingham
on 14-16 November, colleges and
training organisations can stage
Showcase performances. The
performances are intended to surprise
and inspire ‘through a highly visual,
stimulating and entertainment-led
programme’.
Demonstrating the skills of students,
trainees or apprentices, the showcase
programme is one of the focal
points of The Skills Show. At last
year’s Skills Show, 51 colleges,
training organisations, community
organisations, institutions and sixth
form colleges from across the UK took
the opportunity to deliver a national
Showcase.
Ross Maloney the chief executive
of The Skills Show said: “The
Showcases deliver a wealth of positive
experiences, both to the audiences
and to those who stage them. They
really are one of the most exciting
parts of the event, and we look
On Show: Showcase
performances ‘deliver a wealth
of positive experiences, both to
the audiences and to those who
stage them’ – Ross Maloney,
chief executive of The Skills Show
Case Study
Blackpool and The Fylde College’s
reports on its involvement in Showcase
Performances at the Skills Show:
selected as a Showcase
Bwaseing
provider for the second year running
a huge honour for Blackpool
Have a go activities
The Skills Show also offers the
opportunity to try bite-size tasters
of work-related skills in the have a
go activities, speak with employers
about job and training opportunities,
receive specialist careers and training
advice, hear industry speakers in
Spotlight talks and watch the finals of
more than 50 UK skills competitions,
which identify the very best talent from
across the UK – all under one roof.
City and Guilds and the Edge
Foundation are Premier sponsors
forward to building on last year’s
successes in 2013.
“Students who take part have a
great opportunity to demonstrate
their talents in front of an audience
of thousands, while gaining valuable
experience in a real-life environment,
which can help with their course or
qualification.
“At the same time, showcasing
organisations have a unique
opportunity to enhance their reputation
and demonstrate excellence to a
national audience. This, in turn,
will inspire visitors to consider new
opportunities in the world of further
education, skills and apprenticeships.”
of The Skills Show, and the Skills
Funding Agency and the European
Social Fund are its funding partners.
WorldSkills UK competitions are
managed and delivered by the
National Apprenticeship Service.
For more information see the
website www.theskillsshow.com
and keep up to date with the latest
news about it, and the vocational
training and skills sector, by following
@skillsshow on Twitter and www.
facebook.com/skillsshow.
and The Fylde College. Our staff and
students were excited about the chance
to show their talents to a national
audience and potentially inspire the next
generation of hairdressers and make-up
artists.
Presenting a Showcase which
incorporated show-stopping
hairdressing, creative media make
up and advanced nail art techniques
gave students from the School of
Hairdressing, Beauty and Related
Therapies a rare chance to work with
other students from different programmes
and enhance employability skills such
as teamwork, communication and
planning.
Our students were overwhelmed
with the scale of the event at first but it
gave them a chance to explore similar
courses run by other colleges and gain
careers advice. Watching the UK finals
encourages the students to aspire to
compete themselves during the next
round of competitions.
Since The Skills Show, the college has
promoted being a Showcase provider
on its website, on social media sites,
in newspapers and prospectuses.
Taking part in such a large scale,
national event is a fantastic way for us
to enhance our reputation and attract
students.
Floristry Department
The Floristry Department at Plumpton College
has been an active and busy department for a long time. Many years ago
it was founded by one of the original members of the Society of Floristry
and originally provided courses for just one afternoon a week.
The department has gone from strength to strength and now offers a
wide range of professional qualification programmes ranging from the
Level 1 Land Based studies to the Higher Diploma in Floristry (HDF), as
well as Plumpton College Certificate Introductory and Advanced short
courses and one day workshops.
The Department has won many awards. Over the past five years it
has had outstanding competition results, including Fusion Flowers Gold
designer award (twice), FE Sussex awards, 5 Medal of Excellence awards
from City and Guilds, Hampton Court silver medal, South of England
show prizes, and Covent Garden Inter-College win. Steph Willoughby’s ex
World Skill competitors have progressed to achieving 6 Gold medals at
Chelsea this year alone and 11 Gold medals overall.
Plumpton College, Ditchling Road,
Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE
Tel: 01273 890454
www.plumpton.ac.uk
BFA FLORIST issue 4
43
COLLEGE CORNER
Budding talent at Bishop Burton College
A selection of the College’s promising florists attended the
prestigious Harrogate Flower Show recently and walked
away with two top awards.
Their impressive creation, pictured, modelled on an Alton Towers’ roller
coaster and entitled ‘A Great Day Out’, secured them a Gold Award
and Best College Exhibit.
The students, who are working towards their Foundation Degree in
Floristry, built the majority of the complex piece during their practical
sessions and then completed the project on site at the event.
They wowed the judges with their suspended wire rollercoaster,
interwoven with brightly-coloured flowers against a dark backdrop.
Floristry tutor, Ruth Robinson, was delighted with the outcome.
She said: “The students worked together so well to create this difficult
piece. They had the option of entering individually, but decided they
wanted to represent the College as a team.
“We were up against other floristry colleges across Yorkshire and the
North East but were one of only two who achieved gold for their entry.
“Being awarded Best College Exhibit was just wonderful, and shows
how ahead of the game our students are in the art of floristry.”
The department regularly enters students in national competitions,
including FleurEx and Tatton Park Flower Show, and it is rare for them to
come away without a prize.
Bishop Burton College is one of only three higher education centres in
the UK that offers degree courses in floristry. For more information about
the floristry courses telephone 0800 731 8281.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
45
COLLEGE CORNER
Specialist tuition in commercial floristry
Capel Manor College prides itself on
training people to become commercial
florists, giving them the ability to create a vast
range of floral designs to suit all customer
specifications.
Their courses attract students from across
the world with graduates building businesses
both in the UK and abroad.
Students benefit from specialist teaching
facilities at centres in Enfield, Gunnersbury
Park and at Newham College, which include
a floristry training shop and a 30-acre
country estate.
Sadie Rose McMahon, 23, came to Capel
Manor from secondary school to study on the
Level 2 Modern Retail Floristry course and on
completion she worked at The Real Flower
Company – part of high-end department
store Selfridges.
With a business plan already in place,
Sadie left full-time employment and started
her own retail business ‘Sadie-Rose Florists’.
Sadie said: “The course had everything
I needed to help me get to my goal.
The teaching staff who themselves have
experience in the industry, supported me and
I feel I can still call on them for support.”
Floral Fabulosity! – the student’s showcase for innovative floral designs
Professional floristry degree students at
Writtle College, in Chelmsford, Essex,
have been nervous and excited in the
build up to their end of year exhibition
on 30 April.
The work of the BA (Hons)
Professional Floristry students is the
culmination of much planning and
hard work.
‘Floral Fabulosity’ is the title of
the exhibition, which is the student’s
interpretation of work by a European
designer who has influenced them.
After researching ideas, planning
designs and pitching the concepts to
the group, students make the designs
within a timed exam.
Organising and staging the event
is a further valuable aspect, giving
students a small insight into running
floristry events, including creating
posters, with input from the Writtle
School of Design.
Degree students Lucy Proctor and
Nicola Carroll said: “It’s very daunting
thinking about the exhibition and the
fact we
have a
limited
time to
make the
designs,
but we
are confident that it will all work well
and everyone will see innovative
designs and perhaps look at floristry a
little bit differently.”
For more information
www.writtle.ac.uk
BFA FLORIST issue 4
47
COLLEGE CORNER
Calling all Students
This is your chance to shine - in a right Royal Way!!
BFA Tatton Team Award
The BFA is pleased to announce the Tatton Team Award, which is open to all
Colleges, College Tutors and Student Members of the British Florist Association.
PRIZES
1ST
2nd
A one day workshop with a BFA designer at your College
Three complimentary Entry and Demonstration and Workshop tickets for BFA Fleurex 2013
3rd
Three complimentary Entry and Demonstration tickets for BFA Fleurex 2013
(A full set of rules and regulations will be published on t he BFA website (at the end of May 2013)
ENTRY CRITERIA & FEES
Each college must form a team of three competitors to take part in the challenge.
The team will be required to create three pieces of work (see schedule)
The college will need to provide materials for two of the three tasks
Entry fee £100 + Booking Fee + VAT
Applications should be made at www.bfaevents.ticketsource.co.uk and must be submitted by 30th June 2013
Schedule
(see UK Judges Guild website www.floristryjudgesguild.co.uk for full details)
“A ROYAL CHRISTENING”
Design and create a formal presentation bouquet to be presented to the Royal Mother.
Design and create a floral tree to depict the succession of the Royal Family.
Decorate a Ceremonial Throne for our Sovereign to sit on at the Christening.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
49
BUSINESS CORNER
THIS NEW SECTION TO OUR MAGAZINE IS TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF RESUME
OF NEWS AND INFORMATION THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS
(IF YOU’RE THE OWNER) OR YOU AS AN EMPLOYEE (IF YOU’RE NOT!).
VAT INVOICES
A VAT invoice needs to include the following information to be deemed valid by HMRC:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Firstly, and most obviously, your VAT registration number!
An invoice number which is unique and follows a sequence. A record of cancelled invoices must also be kept.
Your trading name and address.
The invoice date. This should normally be within thirty days of the date of supply (see below).
The tax point if different to the invoice date. A tax point is defined as the date of supply.
The customer’s name and address.
A description of sufficient detail to identify the goods/services being supplied. For each type of item listed on the invoice you must also show the unit price excluding VAT, the quantity, the rate of VAT applicable, the net amount payable, the total VAT charged, the total amount due and any discount which applies.
If you issue a VAT invoice that includes a supply of zero rated or exempt goods/services you need to show clearly
that no VAT is applicable to that supply and show any total for that supply separately.
For a florist, many invoices will be less than £250 (including VAT) in value and so you are permitted to issue a
simplified VAT invoice which should show the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your VAT registration number.
Your trading name and address.
The tax point (date of supply).
A description of the goods/services being sold.
The VAT rate and the total price including VAT. If there are goods listed on the invoice that attract different rates of VAT then those rates should be show separately.
You’ll need to keep copies of your invoices (and all other business documents) for at least six years. You may keep
them in printed form or in an electronic format but if you choose the latter, the documents must be readily accessible
to a VAT officer.
BUDGET BULLETPOINTS
• Corporation Tax reduced to 21% from 6th April 2014 and then to 20% from 6th April 2015.
• Capital Gains Tax relief to be extended to applicable business employees. Further details yet to be announced.
• The announcement of NIC Employment Allowance which will result in the first £22,000 of your salary costs 50 BFA FLORIST issue 4
•
•
being exempt from Employers NIC from 6th April 2014.
Personal Allowance increased to £9,440 from 6th April 2013 and to £10,000 from 6th April 2014.
VAT registration threshold increased to £79,000 and the deregistration threshold to £77,000 from
1st April 2013.
Are you liable?
A checklist for florists
Businesses today can not simply scrimp on insurance.
Every enterprise is different and ensuring the right
policy is in place can be a bit of a minefield. In this
article OLIVER LAWTON of Shearwater Insurance
explains how to find out if your business is as well
protected as you think.
There are certain areas of insurance that businesses
need, such as property damage, general contents, transit
if you offer a delivery service, business interruption,
money, legal expenses and of course your valuable stock.
However, above all other elements of your cover, liability
is the most imperative.
Firstly, Employers Liability is a requirement by law, even
if you only have a volunteer help you out on the odd
occasion. Employers Liability will protect you should your
employees be injured in the course of working for you
and/or under your supervision; this should include costs
of legal representation if the situation arises.
Secondly, Public Liability covers you and your
employees should they cause injury to a member of the
public or damage to someone else’s property while on
your premises and/or while out on delivery or collection.
An important point to remember is that under a
standard shop policy Public and Employers Liability cover
is in place on your premises only and typically will not
cover you for work away other than collection and/or
delivery.
If you offer an event service whereby you set up at
venues, or do any table arranging, decoration or flower
arranging at weddings, funerals, and other such events
away from your premises, these activities fall outside the
normal parameters of a shop policy and are not covered
automatically.
You must ask for Public Liability to be extended to
include these activities. This is particularly important
if you are decorating and setting up at events using
equipment such as ladders, or potentially dangerous
tools. Do not assume you are covered just because your
schedule says “Public Liability”. Check you have the
extension if you are doing any of the above activities and
make sure it is specifically noted on your proposal form
and/or Statement of Fact to ensure you are covered.
Finally, some venues require contractors working on their
premises to have a higher limit of indemnity, for example
some high-end hotels, so make sure you have sufficient
cover.
It is so important to check your policy meets your
demands and needs, and that you understand the terms
and conditions of the policy. Just because a policy is cheap
doesn’t mean it is covering you correctly. Business insurance
is considerably different to insuring a personal item, it is your
livelihood, and at the end of the day it is essential that it be
protected on the correct basis.
Shearwater has a range of solution to assist floristry
businesses. For more information telephone 01992 707316
or see the website www.shearwater-insurance.co.uk
Exclusive Insurance for
Professional Florists
When you have been developing
insurance policies for specific
professions and trades like us for
over 25 years it becomes second
nature to be the expert in that field.
Bridge Insurance Brokers Ltd was
established in 1970 and is rated
as one of the leading independent
Brokers in the UK. Having an
enviable reputation for technical
expertise, service excellence and
integrity, we are committed to
professional standards and are
authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority, Firm
reference number 308815. This can
be checked on the FSA website at
www.fsa.gov.uk/register.
3 Florist Shop Insurance
3 Freelance Florist Insurance
3 Florist Van Insurance
3 Florist Home Insurance
British Florist
Association Endorsed
Call Us On 0845
313 9871
To Talk To The Dedicate Florist Insurance Team
www.floriguard.com
BFA FLORIST issue 4
51
Your stars
in flowers
– with Russell Grant
Many of us enjoy reading
our Horoscopes but did
you know that Starsigns
also act as a guide to key
characteristics too..? We
asked the UK’s favourite
astrologer and TV celebrity
Russell Grant to reveal what
type of flowers are best
suited for each Starsign.
52 BFA FLORIST
Aries -
March 21 - April 19
Go for reds and bold colours for
the strong-minded Arian. Include
Asters, symbol of love and patience
to balance their impetuosity. Assorted
eye-catching Gerbera Daisies or
Poppies, Geraniums and Hollyhocks
are good Aries flowers. The Aries
bridal bouquet should include vibrant
colours or blood red Roses for
enduring passion contrasting with
white Orchids.
Cancer -
June 21 - July 22
Freshly gathered Spray Roses in
reds and pinks will melt the sensitive
Cancerian’s heart.
They will also love the Freesia’s
fragrance and delicate blooms.
Verbena, White Lilies, Iris, Morning
Glories and Cow Parsley are great
additions to Cancerian flower
arrangements. Include pink Orchids
in the bridal bouquet for affection and
joy.
Libra -
September 23 - October 22
Select flagrant flowers in geometric
designs to please Libran’s sense of
balance. Go for pastels and pinks,
pale yellows and peach. Match flower
shapes so nothing looks out of place.
Wedding floral arrangements should
include the theme of the event in the
design. Daisies, Hydrangeas, Posies
and Larkspur are good Libra flowers.
Capricorn -
Dec 22 - January 19
Keep it traditional and you won’t
go far wrong when choosing flower
bouquets and arrangements for
Capricorn. Tree branches with
blossoms or berries along with
long grasses and vines should be
incorporated into the design. Include
Heather for luck. Pansies, Camelias,
Sweet Peas and Love-lies-bleeding are
good Capricorn flowers.
Pisces -
Taurus -
April 20 - May 20
Choose flowers that match the
season for Taurus who is always in
tune with nature. Bouquets should be
unfussy with colours of the countryside
including earthy hues of green. Violets,
Primulas and Daisies are good Taurus
flowers. Choose rustic wedding
centrepiece arrangements with flowers
that look like they’ve been picked
just moments ago especially for the
occasion.
Leo -
July 23 - August 22
Pair exotic with standard flowers
for the Leo. Focus on rich colours and
large flowers in oversize arrangements
to give fullness and variety to floral
displays. Oriental Lilies and flowers
with large blooms such as Sunflowers
and Hydrangeas are perfect for Leo.
Dahlias, Honeysuckle and Asters are
also good Leo flowers.
Scorpio -
October 23 - November 21
For Scorpio, arrange flowers in a
tight cluster with plenty of greenery
and other décor to bring a touch
of elegance to the arrangement.
Or go for a simple design with
Scorpio’s favourite flowers in mind.
These might be Black Magic Roses,
Rhododendrons, Gardenias, Heather
or Anemones. Include Queen Anne’s
Lace in the Scorpio’s wedding
bouquet.
Aquarius -
Gemini -
May 21 - June 20
Plenty of colour and plenty of variety
should please the breezy Gemini. Use
an assortment of flowers of various
colours to add layers of meaning to
floral arrangements. Include Aster for
trust, Gardenia for joy and Forget-menots for friendship. Lilacs and Azaleas
are also good Gemini flowers. Add
yellow Tulips to reflect their cheerful
spirit.
Virgo -
August 23 - September 22
Avoid ornate and over-elaborate
when choosing flowers for Virgo.
Bouquets and vase arrangements
should look natural with shades of
green and brown. Opt for simple
compositions in earth-based tones.
Asters, Narcissus and Chrysanthemums
are good Virgo flowers. Daisies and
wild flowers would add a garden
touch to the Virgo’s wedding bouquet
Sagittarius -
November 22 - Dec 21
Carnation is the birth flower of the
Sagittarius. Go for interesting and
different for this adventurous sign.
Abstract floral arrangements that
include random flower combinations
will appeal. As will anything that’s
funky and fun. Pinks, Carnations,
Peonies and Larkspur are good
Sagittarius flowers. Combine shades
of purple and pink in creative ways for
the Sagittarius wedding bouquet.
January - 20 - February 18
Unique and different are words to
remember when thinking about the
Aquarius. A bouquet made especially
with the Aquarian in mind needs to
be one of a kind. Use a water bowl
centrepiece with floating candles
to add a modern touch to wedding
celebrations. Orchids, Gladiolus, Birds
of paradise and Freesia are good
Aquarius flowers.
February 19 - March 20
Pisceans love to have flowers
gracing their tables and windowsills.
Include non-floral items to the Piscean’s
bouquets and flower arrangements to
add a personal or romantic touch. Add
ribbons, ornaments or butterflies. Pink
Peony and Baby’s Breath would make
an ideal wedding bouquet. Larkspur,
Lilacs, Poppies and Orchids are good
Pisces flowers.
BFA FLORIST issue 4
53
Dates for
BFA
your Diary Book Shop
UK World Skills Heats see page 38 for a list of dates and venues
RHS Chelsea 21st—25th May
BBC Gardeners World
12th—16th June
World Skills, Liepzig Germany
2nd—7th July
RHS Hampton Court College Competitions
RHS Tatton Park
Interflora Florist of The Year Final
Interflora Florist of The Future Final
BFA Tatton Team Award
Eurofleurs Young Florist
Championship 2013 Split, Croatia
9th—14th July
New and not so new publications available
to our BFA members. Ordering couldn’t be
easier….. Simply go to the website and place
your order.
Society of Floristry Handbook
£12.99
Floristry techniques definitions
(2nd Edition) £15.99
25th—28th July
Form Linear Design
£16.99
2nd - 8th September
organised by FLORINT
Transparencies
£20.00
British Florist Association
Masked Ball & Industry Awards
26th October
Fleurex & BFA AGM 27th October
BFA Chelsea Hub Heats
Dates to be announced
Floristry Competitions
Lynda Owen £19.99
Foliage for Florists
£16.99
YOUR BFA BOARD
President - Mark Ward
Email: president@britishfloristassociation.org
Membership Director
Vice President - Brian Wills-Pope MBE
Email: brianwp@btconnect.com
Events Director
Muriel Simpson - Email: rodmuir@btinternet.
- Dennis van Wonderen
Email: events@britishfloristassociation.org
PR & Communications Director
Regional Development Director
- Sarah Cunningham
- Tracy Tomlinson
Email: pr@britishfloristassociation.org
Email:regdev@britishfloristassociation.org
Training & Education Director - Sandie Griffith
Email: sandie@jemini.co.uk
BFA FLORIST issue 4
55

Issue 4 - The British Florist Association

Transcription

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