Gold – Kate Bainbridge of Simply Flowers
Now in her 3rd year of competing, Chelsea Flower Show has become somewhat of an addiction for Kate. This year, despite being knocked out of the Bristol heats, Kate couldn’t quite believe her luck when she was contacted by the BFA and invited to compete (a spare place had opened up, which she was able to take being the next highest scorer in the regional heats).
The brief this year was simply to create a Chandelier for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, with the title Diamonds Are Forever.
After much research, sketching and deliberating Kate couldn’t settle on a plan. With only 8 weeks to go the clock was ticking. Time was running out and it wasn’t until Kate was out shopping with a friend one day did she happen to stumble across vintage sherry glasses in a second hand store. That was it, her inspiration found by chance and just in the nick of time.
A shopping frenzy ensued. Kate trawled the high street charity shops to amass a collection of vintage glass. However, then came the problem of how to display the glasses. Several drawings later and a plan was hatched. With a steel pole, rings to hold candles and mirrored shelves to hold the glasses in place, the Chandelier started to take form.
Working around the clock to meet the deadline, Kate completed the framework with only two days to go. Adding flowers and materials in those last couple of days, she really didn’t have a moment to spare. As luck would have it, the whole Chandelier slotted neatly in to a homemade carrier and she was able to secure the whole piece on the backseat of her car before heading off to London and the show.
With only 4 hours to set up on the day, Kate went to bed that night convinced her design wasn’t up to scratch, even though she was really proud of it herself.
The next day she arrived at the show to find a Gold medal next to her Chandelier. It was an incredibly emotional moment and one she still can’t quite believe.
“Winning Gold has inspired me to push myself forward and to be proud of my achievements.” Kate Bainbridge – RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year, Gold medal winner.
