‘Connecting with nature and working with a beautiful, tangible medium’ are two of the reasons given by Tina Parkes from the British Academy of Floral Art, as to why floristry is such a unique career. Having started her floral journey as a YTS at the age of 16, Tina now holds British, American and Dutch Masters in Floristry and is a Chelsea Gold Medallist too. But her real passion? Teaching floristry and passing on her considerable knowledge and skills.
‘I was teaching at a FE college, and I could see that although the course covered everything that was required, there were some students, particularly mature ones, who didn’t feel comfortable in a classroom with young adults. Plus, not everyone finds it easy to learn in the traditional way, so my colleague Julie Collins and I decided to launch the British Academy of Floral Art in 2008.’
Set in the beautiful Devon countryside, the Academy run a whole range of courses from beginners to advanced which can be adapted to suit all abilities, although they all contain the same central core, a depth and understanding of the skills and art of floristry.
‘You can only stand on the knowledge of those who have gone before you. Training gives you the confidence and a solid foundation to start your own career, and by understanding what you are doing and why, enables you to push the standard even higher.
‘Thirty-six of our previous students have won medals at Chelsea, and many of them now have their own businesses or are tutors themselves. To be the best, you need to be a step ahead, and that will not only benefit you, and the industry but most importantly, the customer as well.’
