BFA Shows Live! RHS Chelsea

We are delighted to be at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show once again this year to showcase the very best in Professional Retail Floristry on our stand in the Great Pavillion, stand GPC/2. Visit our image gallery of the show.

Following last year's success the final of the 'RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year' competition will also be returning to the great pavillion on stand GPC/1.
Like last year the BFA held regional heats accross to find this year's finalists and this year's competition boasts thirteen finalists in both categories with last year's title holders Neil Whittaker and Joe Massey back to see if they can work the magic once again.

The schedule for this year's competition is 'to design and construct a Fantasy Floral Parasol' and competitors are asked to construct the framework of the parasol themselves instead of using anything pre-made. The BFA stand will take you back in time to the turn of the 19th century when dresses were big and flowery. To tie in with this year's competition the BFA stand will boast a garden themed setting with models looking like 'My Fair Lady' going for a leasurely stroll armed with their matching parasols. BFA's expert florists will be demonstrating techniques used to create the wonderful parasols to the shows visitors.
 
The Chelsea FOY competition, together with all the floristry exhibits at the show, is being judged the UK Floristry Judges Guild. Chelsea kicks of the show season for the judges who have been appointed by the RHS to have the work made by professional florists at their shows judged by expert trained and qualified floristry judges.
Tracy Tomlinson, founder and chair of the UK Floristry Judges Guild says: 'We are delighted once again to have been reappointed by the RHS to judge the Chelsea FOY competition and Floristry Exhibits at the RHS Shows this year. It will make the medals that can be won even more desirable knowing that they have been awarded after being judged to European Standards'
Dennis van Wonderen, Events Director at the BFA says: 'Despite the difficult economic climate we have managed to keep up the attendance at the Hub Meetings and have seen some truly striking pieces of floristry in the regional heats.'

This years stand at Chelsea has been created by the BFA Shows committee headed by Dennis van Wonderen which consists of Amanda Eldred from Allium Florist, Steve Betts from Urban Design, and Traci Rowbottom from Cheri Burelle.

Throughout the year the BFA has been asking for volunteers to help at the shows this season and as there are too many individuals to mention we would like to say a big thank you to all that have generously offered their help. If you would like to volunteer to help at any shows, (including BBC Gardeners World Live in Birmingham, and Tatton Park Flower Show) please email events@britishfloristassociation.org