Victoria wins silver medal at Chelsea
TWENTY-TWO year old local florist Victoria Brennan was awarded a silver medal at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.
Victoria, who works in her mum’s flower studio Flowers by Ann in Carrickmacross, was the only entrant from the Irish Republic in the Young Florist of the Year competition.
‘Spring Wedding’ was the theme for this year’s competition and the florists were asked to create a floral wedding throne. One of the conditions was that 2/3 of the finished design had to be fresh flower and/ or plant material.
For her entry, Victoria created a beautiful fairytale-like throne from silver birch, decorated with pink and purple flowers.
‘We got the brief in March and I started working on it then,’ said Victoria. ‘Once I had decided on the silver birch frame for the throne, I went for a wildflower, fairytale look, and colours all came about quite easily.’
Victoria drove to Chelsea and back as she said it was the only way of transporting her entry.
‘I went over on the Friday and had to set up in exhibition by Sunday May 21st.’
She was interviewed by Joe Swift of Gardeners World fame and also saw the Queen as Her Majesty enjoyed a private viewing of the 105th RHS Chelsea Garden show.
Victoria confesses that it was ‘quite a shock’ when
Victoria awarded silver medal at world famous flower show
she learned she had been awarded a silver medal at her first time competing in this world famous event.
‘All the entries are scored and you are awarded a medal based on that, she explained.
Victoria grew up in Ravensdale where she went to the local Dulargy National School. She then moved to Carrickmacross and attended St Louis Secondary School.
‘My mum has a flower shop and I worked there part-tine but it is only this year that I decided to study floristry and am now doing courses in it.’
Victoria entered a number of heats to compete in the Young Florist Of the Year Competition which is for those under 26 years of age and thrilled to get the opportunity to get the opportunity to exhibit at Chelsea, little dreaming she’d win a silver medal.