Expanding award-winning floral academy blooms during Covid-19
Business is blooming for independent, award-winning British Academy of Floral Art based in Dunchideock, near Exeter, with internationally renowned co-directors, Julie Collins and Tina Parkes taking on three new tutors and doubling the size of their Devon-based floristry training centre for beginners and professionals.
Fellow master florists Julie and Tina first met whilst teaching at Bicton College in East Devon, before establishing their new joint venture in Woodbury in 2008 and moving to Dunchideock Barton seven years’ ago. The academy offers professional floristry training and flower-arranging courses suitable for beginners through to masters.
British Academy of Floral Art Co-Director Julie Collins is a British Master, teacher, and author. Julie said: “Tina and I felt aligned in our passion for teaching floristry, so it was a natural next step to set up our own company. The business has evolved organically, as we wanted to take our time to design our courses to make them different. A decade on we are delighted that we are still thriving with people travelling from across the UK and beyond.” She adds: “Together we have developed an inspirational programme of flexible, modular floristry courses for a flower lover's journey, whatever their age or ability. From taster sessions for absolute beginners just wanting a hobby, to someone looking for a career change, or an experienced florist who wants to expand their business skills; each module is a building block to their next level.”
Tina Parkes, Co-Director of the British Academy for Floral Art and formerly Head of Floristry at Bicton College, is the only English florist to hold a Dutch Masters. Internationally respected, Tina has since been awarded the American Masters (AIFD), British Masters (Level 5) and is on the BFA’S Education and Training Board, demonstrating to florists all over the World. She explains: “Traditional floristry courses aren’t always easy to access, if you have a young family for example. With this in mind, we favour the European style of flexible teaching modules which is practical and hands-on, jammed full of techniques, tips, and inspiration without having to do coursework. This means students can take their course modules as and when time and funds allow. So, whether they want to open a wedding shop or simply need refreshers, they can come back to us when convenient.”
Before lockdown, the entrepreneurial duo decided to increase the size of their premises by taking on additional adjacent storage units and investing in a refurbishment programme to convert into two new purpose-built classrooms, adding a kitchen, storerooms, bathroom, and new floors. The bright and contemporary space includes tables made locally from windfall trees and offers a second classroom and break out area and office for the tutors.
Julie said: “We made the decision to expand the business pre-pandemic and it has turned out to be a blessing. It means with the extra space we can safely offer social distancing teaching and have the capacity to take the full quota of students we had before lock-down when we only had one classroom.”
She adds: “Unlike some, Covid-19 has not damaged our business; in fact, we are blossoming. It has made us more social media aware and look at new ways of engaging with our students during these difficult times. I think it has given us the opportunity to be more creative in the need to revamp our courses and all in all has been a very positive experience for developing the business.”
The growing team of eight includes new recruits, Karen Taylor and Patricia Bond. Julie said: “Karen used to work with us at Bicton College and is also a long-standing friend, so Tina and I are delighted she could join us and share her fantastic floristry knowledge with our Level 2 students.” Patricia Bond is studying for her City & Guilds Level 5 with the British Academy of Floral Art as part of growing her own business portfolio. Patricia comments: “When you’re being inspired by teachers who constantly strive for perfection themselves, the environment is infectious. I cherish the opportunities Julie and Tina are giving me.”
Olly Forster who is head gardener at Deer Park Country House, has been taken on as a part-time tutor for the Floral Academy to share his vast gardening knowledge with the students on the new cutting garden course. For the last twenty years Olly has been tending and managing wonderful gardens, landscapes and estates in Devon and the Cotswolds, where he discovered his love of Horticulture and the great outdoors. He said: “I’m very proud and excited to be asked to join the academy and cannot wait to meet lots of new people, helping them get their cut flower gardens blooming.”
In addition to teaching, Tina’s passion is gardening, and she has planned, designed, and developed a new landscaped garden, a short stroll from the academy’s Dunchideock studio. It is being created from a previously empty field, kindly donated by their farming landlord who was inspired by their ideas.
Olly said: “Tina and Julie had the vision for creating this communal area and plans include installing a cold-frame and greenhouse. It is a wonderful outside space in a peaceful setting with stunning views of rolling Devon countryside. Tina has a three-year plan for the academy to be able to offer garden courses, combining growing flowers for arrangements and it is a lovely place to work and relax. I am really enjoying teaching this new course.”
Tina Parkes, Director – The British Academy of Floral Arts: “Teaching floristry has proven to be a very therapeutic occupation during the Pandemic for those attending the courses. People have loved having this special time out for themselves during the current crisis, to be able to breathe and appreciate handling nature – it is so nurturing and helps them escape from their daily worries. They often arrive feeling tired and stressed and leave relaxed and beaming.”
Julie Collins, Director – The British Academy of Floral Arts concludes: “Flower arranging is a social and physical activity, creating something beautiful. We provide our clients with a safe, calm and creative environment with the bonus that they get to take their creation with them to brighten up their home.”
https://academyoffloralart.com/
