Local woman wins at Chelsea Flower Show

Local woman Karen Sherwin, a South West College floristry student, made her debut at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show and won a bronze medal for her creation under the theme of ‘Circle of Life’.

Karen Preston pictured with her mother, Mrs Bernie Preston and her winning creation

The theme was to be inspired by someone or something associated with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For Karen’s design, the inspiration came from a winning exhibit last year – a new variety of flower from which all proceeds would be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Karen set out to create a sensory design – this evolved from discussions with growers and was named ‘Memories’.

The Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital every year since 1913, apart from gaps during the two World Wars. This prestigious Flower Show has exhibits from foreign countries as well as from Britain.

Karen spent seven years working in Birmingham before to returning home to take up a position in her family flower business, George Preston Flowers in Newry.

She joined the City and Guilds Diploma in Floristry course at South West College, Dungannon in 2011 and is the current holder of the Interflora Florist of the Future UK and Ireland title.

Speaking about her achievement at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, Karen said, “I am totally thrilled. It was such hard work in the months before designing a piece which would qualify me.”

Karen continued, “It takes a lot of dedication and commitment but the support and encouragement received from family, friends, work colleagues and those at South West College was overwhelming. Everyone just wanted to see me do well and I’m delighted I was able to do them proud.”

For further information on upcoming Floristry courses at South West College, contact enquiries@swc.ac.uk or telephone 0845 603 1881 or you can call in to Dungannon campus on 22 August.

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jun 20 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry