Students from our Levels 3, 4 and 5 Diploma courses had the privilege last week of helping to prepare Arley Hall, a country estate near Northwich, for its popular Christmas floral festival. Our floristry department has been invited to help decorate the impressive residence every year for the past ten years, allowing our students to experience event dressing at the highest level.
Sharing the task with professional florists from local businesses and trainees from another college, our team were assigned to decorate the drawing room used by Arley Hall’s owner, Viscount Ashbrook, and his family. The students had previously prepared their designs and their creations included an intricate screen, a floating design in front of a mirror, two corner columns, a garland for the fireplace and a cascade for the piano.
After liaising with the owner, they chose a traditional theme but incorporated modern twists such as flowers in bright pink and gold, tying in with the room’s décor. The completed project forms part of Arley Hall’s ‘Festively Floral’, which was open to the public until Thursday December 7.
Sue Poole, Programme Leader for Reaseheath’s Floristry and Horticulture Department, said: “This has been a unique chance to work on a live project for a real client in inspirational surroundings. As well as being a fabulous addition to the students’ CVs, it has been an opportunity for students across our courses to collaborate and learn from each other.
“I have been incredibly proud of the team. They have worked professionally and have been fantastic ambassadors for Reaseheath.”
Helen Allison, who is studying for her Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry, said: “This has been a brilliant opportunity to use advanced skills to create. very large designs which you can’t do in own home. Gill Hindle, also a Level 5 student, added: ”This is the fourth time I’ve helped to decorate Arley Hall and it’s always great fun. I particularly enjoy working as a team and creating big, bold, statement designs.”
Level 3 Diploma Penny Croquette, a former project manager who is considering floristry as her next career, commented: “This has been a tremendous experience and I’ve learned a lot from it. I was drawn to floristry because it is such a varied and diverse industry and offers so many great opportunities – and this is the proof.”
Liv Curtis, 17, also a Level 3 student, added: “I’ve really enjoyed the whole experience, especially having the freedom and space to use all the skills I’ve learned. I feel very proud that the public will see my work.”
To catch up with Arley Hall’s upcoming events, visit www.arleyhallandgardens.com/whats-on
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