CAFRE Floristry representatives progress to UK National Finals
August 1, 2023
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has a long tradition of delivering Horticulture and Floristry courses at Greenmount Campus, Antrim with notable success at UK competitions.
This year we are delighted that Level 3 Floristry student Edel Michael from Maghera and CAFRE graduate Kathleen McClorey from Newry, have secured places in the UK National Finals of the Floristry WorldSkills competition being held in Manchester from 14th – 17th November 2023.
Following the initial phase of the competition, five CAFRE students and one graduate were invited to the local heats of the UK Skills event in Moreton Morrel College, Warwickshire. At this stage they had to bring with them a floral crown that they had created suitable to be worn at a musical festival. On the day they were tasked to create a long low floral design to be placed in the VIP tent and a hand tied bouquet.
Anne Marie Grant, Floristry Lecturer at CAFRE commented; “We were delighted that six CAFRE students attended the UK Skills heat and we are thrilled that two have progressed on to the next stage of the competition when they will compete for a podium place at the National Final. In the lead up to the competition the British Florist Association (a partner with UK Skills for floristry), along with CAFRE staff, will provide additional intensive training to the competitors, both online and as part of the Floricon Business Trade event that will be held in Loughborough this October.
Edel Michael and Kathleen McClorey have both progressed through the highly regarded Level 2 and Level 3 Professional Floristry programmes at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus.
Edel is continuing to work with her placement provider ‘Beautiful Blossoms’ in Maghera and Kathleen owns a business, ‘Rambling Rose’ in Newry.
Edel said, “It was a surprise to be selected for the final, but a nice one! Competing offered me an amazing opportunity to fine tune my Floristry skills and enhance my learning. At each stage of the competition, I have received invaluable feedback from the judges, which has helped me improve my designs and techniques. It’s marvelous to meet and compete with other fantastically skilled professional florists and examine their creations inspired by the same allocation of flowers as I have been given”.
Before starting her Level 2 course at CAFRE Edel had worked in retail for 22 years. With an interest in flowers and a desire for a career change she decided to gain a recognised Professional Floristry qualification at Greenmount Campus. On completing the Level 2 course with a Distinction star her confidence blossomed and she applied to study for the Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Floristry.
Edel commented, “The Level 3 course offered me the opportunity to work within a Florist shop as well as study. It has allowed me to enhance my practical skills and knowledge, giving me the courage to be creative and develop my own style whilst exploring different floral techniques. I now have a well-rounded understanding of the NI floristry industry. I would encourage any budding Florist to enrol on a course at Greenmount. Through CAFRE I have made great friends and industry contacts and for those that think they are too old to change career, remember age is just a number when you have the shared love of flowers”.
Kathleen said that she is very excited to have won a place in the UK Skills National Floristry finals. “The competition challenges your creativity under a time pressure and it’s a fantastic occasion to meet some very talented florists, be inspired by others and network with and share a passion for Floristry. This is my second time progressing through to the UK National Finals. The training and support I have received from both CAFRE and UK Skills have been fantastic.
The Level 2 and Level 3 courses at CAFRE are excellent, they helped me develop valuable technical skills under expert guidance and lead to many fantastic opportunities. I have attended workshops and demonstrations by Gregor Lersch, a famous master German florist, visited Covent Garden Flower Market, got inspired by high end shops in London such as Neil Strain Floral Couture who incidentally was also a CAFRE graduate who now employs other CAFRE graduates in his shop in Belgravia and his concession in Harrods”.
Despite having a busy schedule Kathleen says working in Floristry is a very rewarding, “It is hard work, often involving early mornings and late nights, but you meet some amazing people. It is a real pleasure and honor to be part of their life through flowers”.
All at CAFRE wish both Edel and Kathleen every success in the UK Skills National Final. If you have an interest in working with flowers there’s still time to discover professional Floristry courses at Greenmount Campus, starting this September. Visit our course section for more information.