Harrogate Flower Show: Success for Bradford entrants

Daniel Spillane took home the first prize in the Welcome Home doorscape category.

Daniel, who works at Frames for Flowers in Lidget Green and is a former Shipley College student, spoke of his delight.

He said: “The brief was to create a doorscape using flesh flowers and material.

The floral doorscape (Image: Submitted)

“I teamed up with a fellow friend and florist Sean. Our instinct was to use a bold rich seasonal display of flowers and foliage.

“We started off by creating a bamboo framework, as this is natural, strong and can hold the weight.

“This design took us five hours to construct and place."

Daniel's design (Image: Submitted)

He added: “We both felt overjoyed and extremely thankful to everyone who was a part of helping and supporting us throughout this joyous experience.”

Shipley College's Floristry and Horticulture teams have also been celebrating outstanding success at the show.

In the Floral Art competition, ‘Ancient Greece’ category, Shipley College was named overall winner, best in show, and the only recipient of a Gold award for the 'Poseidon: King of the Sea & Earthquakes' display.

The Gold award-winning design (Image: Shipley College)

In the Creative Borders competition, Shipley College students and staff were honoured with two five-star awards for 'A Border to Dye For' and 'It's All Downhill From Here' alongside a four-star award for 'Fallen Tree Garden'. Judges said the displays told good stories and excellently fit the brief.

The college’s show garden 'A Saltaire Story' was awarded a prestigious Silver Gilt prize.

Cath Russell, head of department for business, travel, horticulture and sport, said: "We are thrilled to have excelled again at this prestigious event.

“Huge thanks to our brilliant staff for making it happen, and congratulations to all students involved. These achievements can help define your future careers."

Student Rachel Henderson has just completed her City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Floristry with Shipley College and had the opportunity to contribute to the winning display at the show.

Rachel Henderson (Image: Shipley College)

There was also success for Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its ‘Reflection and Remembrance Garden’ was named best in show.

It was designed by York-based Kate Smithson and will move to its permanent home in Roundhay Park, Leeds, later this year.

The show, run by the North of England Horticultural Society, sees 50,000 visitors descend on the Great Yorkshire Showground each April. It is the most prestigious of its kind in the region and has been held since 1911.