Floristry students from City of Bristol College have earned recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) after showcasing their work at the prestigious RHS Badminton Flower Show, with their installation featuring twice on the organisation’s website.
Adult learners from the college’s Level 2 Floristry courses created the ‘Leap into Learning’ floral installation, an eye-catching exhibit celebrating sustainability and creativity.
Working together over several days, students designed, built and maintained the large-scale installation, putting their floristry skills into practice in a live event setting. Despite the challenges of exhibiting during a summer heatwave, the team ensured the display remained vibrant for thousands of visitors.
Floristry lecturer Victoria Veasey praised the students’ teamwork and dedication, saying: “I am so very proud of my students. I have no doubt they will go on to great things in our industry. Many are already working in retail floristry following their studies, while others have started their own businesses.”
Reflecting on the experience, Level 2 Certificate student Salli Chapman said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to take the learning from the classroom and experience how to bring a flower installation to life on such a grand scale. From understanding the mechanics behind keeping it all together, to creatively placing flowers and maintaining the display throughout the event, it was such a valuable learning experience.”
Melissa Gahagan, who recently completed the Level 2 Top Up Diploma, added: “Stepping back and seeing what we had all been able to create as a team was the biggest highlight. I feel well prepared to continue building my career in floristry thanks to everything I have learnt at City of Bristol College.”
Having their work recognised by the RHS was a fantastic achievement for the students, reflecting the commitment and collaboration they demonstrated throughout the project and their time at City of Bristol College.
For more information about Horticulture and Floristry courses at City of Bristol College, simply click here.
