11 May 2009

Finalists in the Young Farmers’ Club’s Floral Art Competition, representing all six counties, recently enjoyed a floristry workshop hosted by CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus. The event provided the opportunity for the competitors to meet each other and tour the fantastic facilities available at the College for students studying horticulture and floristry.

Competitors spent the morning learning about the wide range of cut flower and foliage crops now being grown in Northern Ireland and had the chance to see cut flowers and foliages being grown at the College’s Horticulture Development Centre as part of technology projects.

After coffee, it was down to work in the floristry studios, where teaching staff demonstrated the preparation of flower material, design techniques and gave tips on how give a professional finish to competition work. Then it was the competitors turn to show their design flair as they set to work creating handtied designs, contemporary buttonholes and arrangements.

‘It was great to have such a good response to the event’ said Claire Woods, CAFRE's Floristry Programme Manager, ‘We were delighted to show these young people what Greenmount has to offer and give them the chance to develop their skills. When I visited the studios in the afternoon it was a hive of activity, with everyone busy finishing off their designs and photographing their work. They certainly seemed to enjoy working together and are all looking forward to the final of their competition at the RUAS Show at Balmoral.’

If you are interested in a career in floristry or horticulture please visit our website to find out about the wide range of courses available and details of our open days and other College events.

Sherry Suett, far left, and Anne Marie Grant, far right, Floristry Lecturers, with finalists from across Northern Ireland at CAFRE’s recent workshop held at Greenmount Campus.

Young finalists Jessica Reid, Glarryford, Kathryn Smyth, Coleraine, Julie Simpson and Melissa Millar, both Lisnamurrican, enjoying the floristry workshop at Greenmount Campus.

Young finalists Laura Fury, Killinchy, Ellen Woods and Jenni Woods, Annaclone & Magherally, enjoying the floristry workshop at Greenmount Campus.

Sherry Suett, Floristry Lecturer, Greenmount Campus, helps Melissa Millar, Lisnamurrican YFC, with her design.