When Where and Why!!
I have been approached by the organisers of the Shouldham Flower Festival to design a display with the theme of favourite books and poems. The festival will take place at the Shouldham All Saints Church over the Bank Holiday weekend on the 24th to the 26th August 2024 from 10am to 5pm on each day. There is a Facebook page for the event here https://www.facebook.com/events/1033492358125980
This will be the first Flower Festival for a number of years and will include a bric-a-brac stall and tea tent, with all proceeds going to the All Saints Church. The last festival in 2018 raised £2000.
My Challenge
As a florist I am always looking at ways to challenge my creative skills so my immediate thought was to create something that I have never done before. I love animals and especially birds so my display is going to reflect the beauty and majesty of a peacock. Of course, given that the theme is based on favourite books and poems, I have chosen a poem called ‘The Peacock’ by the Indian poet Sujata Bhatt to accompany the display. Here is an extract from the poem.
“…the cat will awaken and stretch. Something has broken your attention; and if you look up in time you might see the peacock turning away as he gathers his tail”
As with all challenges there are several steps that are required, culminating in the creation of the display. Unlike a bouquet, gift or funeral flowers it is not possible to fully create the display in my workshop and then transport it to the location. Certain parts can be created, for example the foam design and cutting, and certain area’s of the display that do not require flowers. However the majority of the work will take place at the location on the 2 days leading up to the opening of the festival.
Here is a rough guide to the steps required.
- Investigate designs and find one that is striking and achievable in the time-frame
- Decide on how the display will be structured and how it will be presented to the audience
- Cut the foam into the two basic shapes, namely the head and neck and the body
- Start to work on the areas of the design that do not require flowers
- Purchase all of the “non floral” items such as feathers
- Decide on possible flowers and flower combinations
- Discuss options with my flower wholesaler
- Collect flowers on day before construction starts
- Start construction
As will all creations, much of the development will be “organic”. Ideas will come and go, mistakes will be made, moments of joy and moments of despair, moments of madness and moments of sadness. Yes, the joys of being a florist can bring out all of these emotions and some more!! Wish me luck and most of all, come down to the All Saints Church in Shouldham, to view all of the wonderful floral creations that will be on display.
What to do in Shouldham
You could also visit the Nar Valley Way, Setchey and Shouldham Warren walk for one of the most beautiful walks in West Norfolk or the welcoming community pub, the Kings Arms. Being a florist is such thirsty work!! https://kingsarmsshouldham.co.uk/
