Welcome to the British Florist Association...
Welcome... to the website of the British Florist Association, BFA
' the public voice of the UK Flower Industry'.
Our website is primarily aimed at professional florists, however if you're a consumer we have a special consumer section for you, with flower care tips and other information. You may also be interested in our image gallery. The British Florist Association is the only trade association in the florist industry that is recognised by Government both here and in Brussels. As the exclusive UK member of FLORINT, the International Florist Organisation, the BFA is recognised as the ‘voice of the industry’ representing nearly 6,500 florists. Although recognised by the Government, the BFA is not government funded, and we rely on our membership subscriptions for funding.
FLEUREX 2012
Three years ago, the BFA first organised FleurEx - the only annual trade show for professional florists. In the first year we received just over 200 visitors and 13 trade exhibitors, last year this had risen to over 500 visitors and 26 trade exhibitors. This year we aim to build on that sucess and offer and even bigger and better FleurEx.
This year, FleurEx 2012 will take place in West Bromwich, Birmingham on Sunday 28th October. We’re at a new venue, within easy access from Junction 1 of the M5 motorway. Further details for visitors will be published soon.
Last year, exhibitor stands sold out and we’ve already received bookings from some of last year’s exhibitors. If you would like to exhibit at FleurEx 2012, please contact us as soon as possible so that you can secure your stand. If you would like to receive an exhibitors pack, along with a floorplan and booking form, please send an email to: info@britishfloristassociation.org.
WORLD SKILLS UK 2012
ARE YOU AMBITIOUS, TALENTED AND GOING PLACES?
Then let’s get started on the journey to success!
Skills Competitions are a great way to boost your professional skills and get them noticed.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The World Skills UK Floristry Competition provides an opportunity to demonstrate your creative and technical skills in various tasks based upon a theme. Competitors will have to show a range of skills; this includes using their knowledge of principles of design and floristry techniques within the schedules provided.
The regional heats will take place at:
WrittleCollege, Chelmsford, Essex – Sunday 22nd April
KingstonMaurward College, Dorchester, Dorset – Sunday 29th April
DeesideCollege, Northop, Flintshire – Wednesday 2nd May
MoultonCollege, Northampton – Saturday 12th May
BishopBurton College, Beverley, Hull – Wednesday 16th May
GreenmountCollege, Antrim, N.Ireland – Saturday 16th June
The highest scoring competitors from these heats, that meet the required standard, will be invited to compete in the UK Final to be held at the Royal Horticultural Society show at Tatton Park 2012.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ADVANCED COMPETITION
This competition is intended for those competitors with 2 – 7 years Floristry experience in either education or the equivalent to a level 3 or higher qualification.
INTERMEDIATE COMPETITION
This competition is intended for those competitors with less than 2 years floristry experience in education, training, employment or the equivalent of a level 2 qualification.
You can get involved in skills competitions in your college or workplace - Enter online NOW at www.worldskillsuk.org
Registrations MUST be made before 15th March 2012.
LATEST WORLD SKILLS NEWS
23rd January - Writtle College inspires the community to ‘Have a Go’ at a new skill. Visit http://www.britishfloristassociation.org/news.htm?id=238 for more information.
4th May - Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester proudly hosted the the South East rounds for UK Skills last weekend.
The floristry competition, which has been held at the Dorchester campus for the third year running, tests the skills of Level 2 and Level 3 floristry students from a number of floristry colleges around the region.
Among the creative tasks, students were challenged to make a ‘Lady Gaga’ inspired hand tied bouquet, with design concepts ranging from coke cans, paper mâch
telephones and lots of decorative wires, beads and glitter!
In the timed second part of the competition, contestants were asked to design and create either a wrist corsage or necklace using a range of surprise materials and products.
Of the eight Kingston Maurward College students displaying their creative flair and floral knowledge, Annie Blackman and Charlotte Armstrong achieved 1st and 3rd places in the round.
Students and tutors alike wait with trepidation to find out if they are to be selected for the semi-final at RHS Tatton Park in July.
Kingston Maurward College offers a range of inspirational floristry courses, including full-time Level 2 and Level 3 courses starting in September, Level 4 Higher Diploma starting in January 2013, and part-time courses starting throughout the year.
For further information contact tracey.nadin@kmc.ac.ukor 01305 215215.
