Florists flourish at craft competition

Floristry students have produced floral masterpieces that have gained plaudits and prizes at a city craft competition, contested by hundreds of Glasgow students.

Carole Mure produced a technicolour floral display as an entry for the annual Craftex competition, which provides a showcase for the very best work of students from across Glasgow. The panel of judges were sufficiently impressed to name Carol winner in the Floristry category of the competition.

Carol, who is studying towards the City and Guilds Floristry Level 2 qualification at Glasgow Clyde College, produced her display in alignment with a brief to create a centrepiece for a charity fundraising dinner.

Carol said: "It's nice to be appreciated outside college for work you produce. I was over the moon when I found out I'd won, and it's a great confidence boost for me.

"I've always loved flowers and creating displays for around the house. I used to be a carer for the elderly but fell ill and had no stamina to continue my job. I enrolled on the course at Glasgow Clyde College and have enjoyed it very much. I have been surprised at how much I have learned in such a short space of time, and this award is the icing on the cake."

Ros Claase produced a technicolour display and the judges were sufficiently impressed to name Ros winner in the Floristry - Advanced category of the competition. She is studying towards the City and Guilds Floristry Level 3 qualification at Glasgow Clyde College and produced her display in alignment with a brief to create an exotic arrangement.

Ros, who will lanch her Stunning Flowers In Dunning business in the coming months, said "I don't win things and I'm not a competitive person, so I was incredibly surprised to find out I had won. I think the judges appreciated the vibrancy of my arrangement and colours I used.

"I thought everybody behind the Floristry entries at Craftex had done well, so I was surprised when I found out I had won. I was over the moon and it serves as a great confidence boost.

"Floristry is so inspirational and I am energised by it," continued Ros, who spent 30 years working in HR at BAE Systems before enrolling at Glasgow Clyde College. "What appeals to me about flowers is the smell, the feel and the touch, and the fact they can give people so much pleasure."

Glasgow Clyde College Floristry lecturer Carol Butler praised the standard of entries in the Floristry category of Craftex and reserved special mention for the achievement of the students.

She said, "I'm really proud of Ros and Carol's achievements, which reflect very well on the Floristry courses offered by Glasgow Clyde College. The overall standard at Craftex 2016 was excellent and the ideas behind some of the creations were brilliant."