The World Skills Show is a place for employers of every field to demonstrate and advertise their profession to young minds who are looking for inspiration in what they want to pursue next. With floristry still being a current and desirable profession, the stand in which flowers were blooming and creativity was flowing throughout the whole event was busy at all times. And, with the amount of people who were interested as well as just passing, it was a fantastic chance to show the possibilities and opportunities available within the world of floristry.

Fresh flowers displayed on the stand.

As part of the World Skills Show this year, Country Baskets sponsored sundries to be used for the floristry competition that was running alongside the information stand, which was set up to educate young people of the floristry industry. We spent an afternoon chatting with organisers of the competition as well as students from floristry colleges up and down the country, in which a bright and welcoming atmosphere could be felt on the stand. Students of floristry were showing those interested in the profession ways to tie bows as an introduction, as well as answering questions on what the industry involves.

The stand was busy throughout the whole event.

With backstage passes, we were able to gain access to the behind the scenes of the competition and manged to speak with the competitors! Each were truly grateful and thankful to Country Baskets for sponsoring sundries and were more than happy to talk through the competition with us, letting us in on their preparation for the showdown. Yet another reason to be excited was that the winners were announced earlier last week! The wonderful competitors wowed the judges as well as the crowds with their floristry skills, each with unique techniques and ideas that could be seen throughout their work. With Gold going to Charlotte Dawe, Silver to Elizabeth Newcombe and Bronze to Elouise Hasler Stott as well as high commends to others, the competition showed the capability of floristry and what can be achieved through it.

The competitors including the Winners.

Gold medallist, Charlotte spoke about her hopes for the future and what she is wanting to do next. She said, "Hope's for my future in floristry... Where would I start... but definitely to jump at anything that I can get involved in, gain experience with and challenge myself too! I always like to take on a task to test my brain and keep me on my toes!! So watch this space!!". Silver medallist, Elizabeth spoke about her future plans too and said, "I would love to represent the UK in competitions and learn more skills from designers around the world. One day I would love to teach and run workshops and who knows maybe even write a book". Bronze medallist Elouise then spoke about her inspirations in the industry, claiming, "Lots of florists inspire me and for different reasons! I love small and dainty pieces – Tina Parkes & Charlotte Murrant – when you look at their work there is so much detail and each flower placement is thought of!" Something we took for the competitors was how grateful they were to be in the competition, as well as being a pleasure to speak to! Each gave us an incredibly interesting overview into the workings of the competition and opened our minds a little to the capabilities of the industry.

Read more on the competitors thoughts, feelings and inspirations on the British Florist Associate blog!

The display on the stand included some Country Baskets product.