A Demonstrators Symposium was held at the Telford Golf & Spa Hotel from Friday 28th February to Sunday 2nd March 2025 and attended by a mixture of National, Area and Trainee Demonstrators. The perfectly organised event was co-ordinated by the National Demonstrators Committee:-
Workshops were held by National Demonstrators Cherie Nummy ‘Galactic Harmony’ and Vanessa Wellock ‘Orbiting Beauty’ with National Demonstrator Dawn Weaver enthralling the audience with her demonstration titled ‘Forms in Space’.
The main sponsors of the event were Smithers Oasis represented by Stephanie Gillespie, Marketing & Sustainability Specialist, and Chris Bell who generously sponsored the welcome drinks for everyone and the OASIS® Renewal™ Floral Foam used in Dawn Weaver’s demonstration and Ready Steady Cut. Attendees were also given a free sample of the new product in a goody bag.
Sponsorship also from Flower Vision who were represented by Alison O’Mara, Account Manager and Perry Taylor, Regional Account Manager. Flower Vision, Birmingham sponsored and created the foyer flowers and each attendee was provided with a free goody bag which included notepads and pens. Lots of specimens of new flower varieties were left for delegates to receive at the end of the Symposium. For Vanessa Wellock’s workshop, table décor and Ready Steady Cut flowers were purchased from Flower Vision who are based in Birmingham, Lancashire and Bristol.
During the course of the weekend, the attendees listened to a presentation by Liam Beddall, Senior Rose Consultant, David Austin Roses. Each delegate received a copy of their new brochure the 63rd edition of ‘Handbook of Roses 2025’.
Delegates also enjoyed a talk by Dr Jill Timms, Associate Professor at the University of Surrey who spoke about sustainability issues in the flower industry.
Delegates were also entertained by a live auction, plant identification quiz, a talk by Brian Young, Holmes Plants and Lucy Ellis’ presentation on poisonous plants titled ‘Deadly, Dangerous and Risky to Hold’.
A fun filled flowery weekend was enjoyed by all!
