Dennis Van Wonderen

Eurofleurs Update

2010-06-30T18:22:00Z

Bored of the Eurovision Song contest? Yawning at the thought of the World Cup? Well, it’s all about the battle of the buds in 2010, as Europe’s most talented florists compete to be named champion at the final of Eurofleurs 2010 taking place at the RHS Show Tatton Park (21-25 July). Eurofleurs is organised by FLORINT, the international organisation of florists, representing the national organisations of 20 European countries, created with the intention of bringing together the different nations as well as raising the profile of up and coming floristry talent. The competition began in 1998 and rapidly established itself as one of the highlights of the international floristry calendar. It takes place every four years, with a different member country hosting each final. As a celebration of new creativity in the industry, it’s only open to florists under the age of 25, all of which have to undergo a series of tough trials in their own country before being selected as the candidate to represent their nation in the final. Only one applicant from each country can reach the final. Although England’s chances in the World Cup have proved to be unsuccessful, Eurofleurs 2010 will be a guaranteed opportunity to celebrate, with this year’s event being organised by the BFA and taking place at the North West’s horticultural highlight, the RHS Show Tatton Park. Flying the flag for Britain will be Joe Massie from Liverpool, who is tipped to go all the way and help banish the blues of past Eurovision singing disasters. Joe has an excellent floral pedigree having already won at five national competitions including RHS Chelsea Young Florist of the Year. He has often been referred to as the most talented florist of his generation. In pursuit of the top prize, Joseph and his competitors will be set five tasks, each themed around the concept of “art at Tatton”, which they will have to complete at the show within the British Florist Association Marquee. Tatton Park is one of the most historic estates in the UK, with over 50 acres of gardens to inspire the young competitors. The display will have to demonstrate both their creativity and technical ability to make sure they don’t receive nil points from the judges. Visitors to the RHS Show Tatton Park will be able to visit the marquee during the competition and see how the contestants’ work is progressing. The competition will commence the day before the show opens (20^th July) and visitors will be able to see the contestants’ work displayed until Friday 23 July.

The fate of the competitors then rests in the hands of members of the UK floristry judges guild, plus international judges from FLORINT who will decide who has what it takes to walk away with the Eurofleurs cup and be named 2010 champion! The judging panel is made up of European representation including; Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Croatia and Italy

Eurofleurs 2010

2010-04-13T14:34:00Z

It's been a while since my last post but as Tatton is fast approaching I thought it's about time I started blogging again.

Well ladies and gents, we have certainly got something to shout about this year! The BFA is delighted to bring the Eurofleurs competition to Tatton Park this year. Finalists from all over Europe will be competing against one another to win the Eurofleurs trophy and be crowned 'The Best Young Florist in Europe'

Chelsea Florist of the Year Update

2009-03-16T17:58:00Z

It's been a while since my last post and oh my word, have I been busy or what???

After 4 months of regional heats held up and down the country to select Britain's finest florists we have managed to secure the finalists for Chelsea. Close to 400 people entered the BFA Qualifying Hub Heats to be in with a chance to get to Chelsea. There will be two categories at Chelsea this year (one for juniors and one for seniors) which will see 15 entrants in each category competing to win the prestigious title of 'RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year'.

Chelsea FOY regional heat

2008-11-21T17:07:00Z

What an exciting evening we all had on Tuesday. It was the first of the Chelsea Florist of the Year (FOY) regional heats and with stunning results!

Competitors entering the competition at one of the regional heats are asked to create a floral exhibit according to the given schedule. The winning entries with the highest scoring marks will be going through to Chelsea. The schedule for the regional heats asks the competitors to design and create a bridal bouquet for an eminent fashion designer.

Chelsea Florist of the Year Competition

2008-10-27T12:18:00Z

It's been a while since my last blog post but I'm pleased to return with some fantastic news this week! After a very successful BFA conference weekend in Solihull we at the BFA are delighted to be able to announce something very exciting.

Next year will see the launch of 'the ultimate' of floristry competitions at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The 'RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year' Competition

The Peoples Prize! Who will win?

2008-08-29T10:17:00Z

Only a few days left until the winner will be drawn, it's all pretty nail biting stuff... Visitors to the BFA Marquee at the Tatton Park Flower Show will remember voting for their favourite competitor in order for them to win a FREE bouquet of flowers delivered to their own front door for the whole of next year.

In just a few days the lucky winner will be revealed. Well folks,let me tell you, the tension is rising here in the BFA office. We're probably just as nervous as the unknown winner at the moment!! This prize worth £500,- is quite something to be sniffed at as a matter of fact, in more ways then one. Who wouldn't appreciate a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers in this gloomy times? As the press is having a field day with our global slow down issuing articles on a daily basis in the papers and on the news I honestly feel that we could do with a bit of a break now. Let's have some happy news for a change....

Ready, Steady, Floristry!

2008-08-17T21:59:00Z

It's been a while since my last post so here's some news from the BFA camp. Visitors to the BFA Marquee at the Tatton Park Flower Show were in for a bit of a shock when the floristry demonstrators started asking for volunteers from the audience for our Ready, Steady, Floristry! challenge.

After a brief introduction the volunteers were shown the item they would have to re-create following a short demonstration by the florist expert. What the volunteers didn't know though when they had stepped onto the stage was that they would only be given four minutes to create their masterpiece!

Tatton Park, What a show!

2008-07-30T14:32:00Z

Months of planning in advance and then, in just a few days, a whole year of preparations just flies by. But it goes without saying that the event was a huge success and has managed to bridge the gaps in our industry by bringing all the different organisations closer together working along side eachother to deliver a united front for professional floristry.
With this years introduction of retail floristry on BBC national tv in a three minute report as well as numerous local radio, tv and newspaper coverage we have managed to open a door that until now has always remained firmly shut. This acchievement is something we can be incredibly proud of as this long awaited introduction of professional retail floristry to the consumer has certainly kicked of the BFA's four year consumer campaign with a flying start and who knows where we will end up next year!

Amanda Canning, at Tatton in the BFA Floristry Marquee

2008-07-17T17:24:00Z

With only a few more days to go it's getting very close to the Tatton Show now. All preparations are well and truly up to speed and it's not long before I pack my bag to set off to Manchester. My rain dances every night here in London seem to be doing the trick as I manage to keep it dry during the days to avoid the wash out that we have seen for most of the week at Hampton. I am dancing the nights away in the hope of nice dry days!! (or trying at least.... haha)

BFA Floristry Demonstrations presenting: Neil Whitaker

2008-06-16T15:42:00Z

Wow, what a week! It's seriously tempting when you're working the stand at Gardeners World Live to indulge in the yummie foods on offer in the food hall. All the marvellous aroma's wafting through the plant hall were giving my nose a serious beating and have now left me with some crash dieting to do for the next week or so to work off the added extra's!

Tatton is almost upon us and just enough time left to tell you about our fourth demonstrator on Saturday 26th July, Neil Whitaker.

BFA Stand wins a Silver Gilt Medal at Gardeners World Live

2008-06-11T21:22:00Z

It's been a couple of weeks since Chelsea and after winning our first ever Bronze Grenfell medal for our stand at the Chelsea Flower Show I told you all to watch this space as we would be going 'onwards and upwards' and I am pleased to inform you that I have managed to make that statement a reality!

To say that we were pleased with our Silver Gilt Medal for our stand at Gardeners World Live would be an understatement as the screams of delight were able to be heard in Solihull and beyond! Thrilled to bits and over the moon are just a few phrases that I can use to describe how pleased we all are with our result.

BFA Floristry Demonstrations presenting: Tracy Rowbottom

2008-06-02T18:05:00Z

Our third demonstrator on Friday 25th July in the BFA Marquee is Tracy Rowbottom. Tracy started her floristry career early at the age of 14 as a Saturday girl, she caught the floristry bug and went on to pursue a career. Tracy trained at Bath college under the tuition of Pat Reeves-Jones and Hazel Bushell and successfully achieved her N.D.S.F. at the age of 22. Tracy started her florist business called Cherri Burrelle in 1989 and since then she has become well known as a national demonstrator, lecturer and designer. Tracy's proudest achievement has been exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower for which she has been awarded a Gold and two Silver medals. in her spare time, of which there is very little, Tracy is also a sculpter.To find out more about Tracy, please visit www.bfaflorist.org

Gardeners World Live, here we come!

2008-06-02T18:03:00Z

After a very heavy week at Chelsea it's been a delight to walk back into the shop again and smell the flowers. It's funny how you miss certain things when you're not around them. Some of you might think how weird? Being at Chelsea would have meant being surrounded by flowers and yes, this is true. But the scent from plants is very different than that from cut flowers in a florist. There is that certain aroma that wafts towards you when you enter a florist, and that is what I realised I had been missing when I was away from the shop last week.

Our Bronze medal has taken pride place on the counter and is the talk of Lower Sunbury! The team of BFA members that worked on the stand did incredibly well and we are all immensly proud of our acchievement. Roll on Gardeners World Live I say! We are re-creating our Chelsea exhibit for those of you that missed it the first time round with a few slight alterations here and there. So if you're coming along to the show, do please pop in and see us on the BFA stand in hall 18.

BFA Floristry Demonstrations presenting: Helen Jamieson

2008-05-22T20:54:00Z

It's all stations go at the moment, I am spending my days at Chelsea from early in the morning until late at night. How the other half live eh? Not a bad job I suppose, I can think of worse places to be! Amy and Marilyn are certainly attracting plenty of attention from the visitors and our floral jewelry is going down a storm. If you are still able to come and see our stand in the Great Pavillion, pop in and say hi. We're on stand GPC8 and who knows, you might end up wearing one of our masterpieces if you're brave enough...

But now the reason for my blog today, I am about to introduce you to our second demonstrator at Tatton Park, Helen Jamieson who will be taking to the demonstration stage in the BFA Marquee on Thursday 24th July.

BFA Chelsea Stand wins Bronze Medal

2008-05-20T22:38:00Z

After a lot of hard work, dealing with several set backs along the way (as nothing ever goes as planned) and days of working our socks off we did it, we have managed to win a medal at Chelsea. I was absolutely delighted to arrive at our stand this morning to find we had been rewarded with a Bronze medal!

For our first ever entry at the Chelsea Flower Show, to walk away with a Bronze medal is something we can all be very proud of. Now that we have had a successful introduction all I can say is watch this space as it's all onwards and upwards from here...