SHE’S known as one of the most formidable judges on TV.
So when Dame Mary Berry cast her appraising eye over the handiwork of Moreton Morrell floristry students at Chelsea Flower Show, they must have been quaking to their roots.
Moreton Morrell College was the only college chosen to put on a display at the prestigious flower show and their installation – Awakening – certainly attracted a star-studded bunch.
Not only did Dame Mary pose for photographs by the willow-based display, but it also caught the attention of Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and was featured in a spot of filming for the BBC with presenter Chris Bavin.
Jane Sked-Connop, Catey Burn, Heather Hume, Jen Jones, Anna Leoniak, Renata Petrauskiene, Amanda Stagg, and Katie Weekes were all involved in creating the installation, under the guidance of floristry tutor Jane Benefield.
It also saw contributions from across Warwickshire College Group. The college’s blacksmith Dafydd Bowles created steel plates in the college forge to secure structures.
The Gatherum Centre, which works with supported learning students at the college, provided seed bombs and Pershore College, which is also part of WCG, contributed plants from its nurseries.
Local business Warwickshire Willow created structures for the installation, while the college also liaised with growers in the Netherlands for further flower materials.
Measuring five metres by five metres, Awakening comprises a trio of double helices made from willow, reflecting birth, abundance, and decay.
Moreton Morrell College posted on Facebook: “Mary Berry, Sarah Ferguson, Claire from @warwickshirewillow, Chris Bavin filming with the BBC and @ayna_thegarden_fairy. Just a small selection of the thousands of visitors we have had to our Awakening stand at he RHS.”
