RHS Future Florists Competition RHS Future Florists Competition RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show: 4 July 9 July 2017 RHS Hampton Court Preview Palace Evening Flower Monday Show: 3 July 32017 July 8 July 2018 RHS Flower Preview Show Evening Tatton Monday Park: 219 July 2018 23 July 2017 FACTSHEET CLICK HERE Application for the Application Form Form Before completing the online application, please read through this document. It explains: What happens next Contacts Regulations General information Application examples Access, build up and breakdown Judging and awards WHAT HAPPENS NEXT Applications must be received no later than Friday 12 th January 2018. The completed application will then be reviewed at the end of January 2018. First time applicants are encouraged to apply. If the application is accepted for space, a provisional allocation of space will be made in February 2018. Selection is based on exhibit design, awards received, reliability and prior show experience if any.
CONTACTS General Enquiries Deputy Show Manager: Rebecca Welti Tel: 020 7821 3332 rebeccawelti@ Application forms, contact details, working access passes Exhibitor Services Coordinator: Iona Sparkes Tel: 020 7821 3357 ionasparkes@ Technical details, operations and health and safety Operations Manager: Kathryn Stafford Tel: 020 7821 3341 kathrynstafford@ Press Office Tel: 020 7821 3043 showspr@ Marketing Office Tel: 020 7821 3036 showsmarketing@ Accounts Office Tel: 01483 479743 Fax: 01483 212399 Shows Health & Safety Tel: 020 7821 3087 showshs@
REGULATIONS Now in its fifth year, the RHS Future Florists competition (previously RHS Floristry College of the Year) continues to seek out and reward the very best students from floristry schools and recognised colleges across the UK. Unlike previous year s, it will be a stand-alone competition and is open only to individual students, rather than teams of students from various colleges and floristry schools. There will no longer be a final held at Chelsea Flower Show. Theme - Evolution Using this year s theme of evolution as your driver for inspiration, create a design to be displayed in the foyer of the RHS building at Vincent Square for the opening night of an RHS Botanical Art exhibition. Exhibits that are imaginative, original and fully embrace the theme are encouraged. Schedule Funding Your design needs to be no smaller than 0.5m x 0.5m and no bigger than 1.5m x 1.5m. Each design will be presented on a raised plinth provided by the RHS (details below). The design should be constructed in its entirety during the staging time provided (1000-1600hrs) The base of your design will be judged as part of the overall display. As this is now an individual competition rather than a team effort, Future Florists competitors will no longer be offered a grant as they have been in previous years. Participation All competitors are required to register with the competitions steward upon arrival at the Floral Design Studio. Competitors working on the exhibits will be given a badge/sash so that the steward can see that only 1 student is working on each exhibit. Applications are welcomed from colleges and schools (including independent schools) offering training and courses in floristry. A maximum of two student entries per organisation are permitted. Tutors are not permitted to assist the student when assembling the design. There is no restriction on the level/qualification of the students however all students must be attending a floristry course at the time of the application. It is the competitor s responsibility to provide the necessary items/props to complete their competition pieces. Each competitor is entitled to bring an additional person to assist with transportation of planting materials and props to the staging area. They may not assist with the implementation of the design in any way.
Selection Staging Selection will be based on the quality of application submitted which should include a detailed design and exhibit description. Those applicants not allocated a space in the first instance will be put on a waiting list. Should a space become available they may be contacted. Please check the judging criteria to ensure each student is up to standard. What s included? Each competitor will be allocated a plinth to display their design measuring approximately 0.5m (frontage) x 0.5m (depth) x 1m (height). Final dimensions will be confirmed upon allocation. The height of the display should not exceed 1.5m and this will include the base of the design but not the plinth. As this competition is now for individuals only, there will no longer be a promotional table on offer. No other tables should be erected (picnic tables etc) and selling is not permitted. Staging time Please note that there is a set date and staging time which can be found in the Key Dates table below. There will be a steward present during staging. Exhibitors must wear high visibility vests and flat, covered shoes at all times during build up and breakdown. Rubbish created during build up and breakdown must be removed from site by exhibitors. Only exhibitors/competitors may work on the exhibit see schedule. Key dates Application return date Fri 12 January 2018 Confirmation of space February 2018 H&S/ insurance form complete Mon 9 April 2018 Build up: competition staging Sun 1 July 2018 (1000-1600) Judging Mon 2 July 2018 Press day Mon 2 July 2018 Show: Preview Evening Mon 2 July 2018 Show open days Tue 3 Sat 7 July 2018 (1000-1930) Sun 8 July (1000-1730) Breakdown Sun 8 July 2018 from 1730 Breakdown complete Sun 8 July 2018 by 2230
GENERAL INFORMATION Display material Accessories may be used but at least two thirds of the finished design must be fresh flowers and/or plant material. The use of artificial flowers and plant material is not allowed. Exhibits containing any artificial flowers and/or plant material will automatically be disqualified without being judged. The RHS does not permit the use of wild dug plants and moss. The use of cultivated moss will be acceptable. Minimal surface dyed material may be used whilst natural plant material may be manipulated (e.g. plaited, stapled, glossed etc.). Competitors are reminded that the RHS Shows are held to display excellence in plants and all other aspects of horticulture. No plant material or accessories may extend beyond the limits of the allocated display area. Where possible cut stems of all living plant material should be in water, water retaining material or their stems sealed for longevity. Exhibitors may include sensitive use of wiring, gluing or other modern floristry techniques. Conditions in the marquee can be warm and exhibitors are reminded that fresh flowers/foliage and plant material using whatever technique must last for the duration of the show. What s included Display space is allocated free of charge. All display areas will be given a name board and stand number. All floristry items must be displayed upon the staging provided. Marks will be awarded for overall display. See marking system. Maintenance of exhibits After judging has taken place, nothing may be added to the exhibit nor may anything be removed or altered except for cut flowers which must be replaced as necessary during restocking times. Storage There is limited storage available at both shows. Please make alternative plans for your materials and belongings. Contact the Show team to discuss if necessary. Water An external standpipe and dip tank is provided for watering. APPLICATION EXAMPLE To increase your chance of being selected you should submit a comprehensive application which includes a clear description of the exhibit and the elements it will include, e.g. theme/concept, along with a detailed diagram of the exhibit and photos of previous work or inspiration for your design. Below is an example of a clear description of a proposed exhibit: Our exciting exhibit is designed to catch the eye and the imagination of the viewer, brightly hot colours with themed designs to depict the excitement, theatre and entertainment of the circus. A textured planted ringside design, an arrangement designed in a ring masters top hat filled with floral balls, a ribbon floral wall hanging, a presentation wired bouquet that s just right for our trapeze artist and finally a mask to be looked thought to see the intricate design and to encourage the viewer to became part of the exhibit.
Below is an example of a clear diagram of the proposed exhibit: ACCESS, BUILD-UP & BREAKDOWN Acceptance of site Once the application has been accepted the RHS will issue an Acceptance of Site contract that confirms stand number, size and contact details a CAD plan showing site location and site services will also be provided. The Acceptance of Site contract will need to be signed and returned before login details to the online manual and forms are issued. Working access passes It is the responsibility of the competitor to organise their own registration via the Working Access Pass registration account, provided a few months before the show. Photo ID passes must be worn at all times. Working Access Passes will not be sent out until you have completed the Health & Safety form and have been signed off by our Health & Safety team. Working access passes Vehicle passes Build up Press Day Show Days (per day) Breakdown Vehicle Showground Access Exhibitor Parking Delivery 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 Tickets Exhibitors can purchase show tickets at a discounted rate. A form to order these tickets will be available in the online manual and forms system.
JUDGING & AWARDS Judging & RHS medals The competition will be judged by The UK Floristry Judges Guild on behalf of the RHS. During judging all competitors will be required to vacate the floristry competition area. Whilst the exhibit will be closely examined by the judges, it will not be removed from the staging. The judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Competitors who wish to discuss their exhibit or seek advice after judging will be able to speak to a representative of the judging panel. Competitors will be eligible for the following RHS medals; Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver and Bronze. Competitors may also be eligible for the Best Future Florist award for the competition heat. No award will be made to exhibits considered to be below Bronze standard. One award card per exhibit is provided by the RHS. Any additional cards may be purchased from the RHS at a cost of 3 per card. No prize money will be awarded in addition to RHS Medals. Exhibits will be judged in line with the UK Floristry Judges Guild marking system as follows below. Copyright Exhibitors allow the RHS to use the exhibit for promotional purposes. This includes; photography for RHS publications and distribution to press and media Use of RHS Medal: The medal is awarded to the exhibitor whose name appears on the medal card, and for the particular exhibit described on the card. This award may not be advertised by anyone other than the exhibitor, and the exhibitor may only advertise the award by using the terms of this award card, ie by quoting the following; show name and year, exhibitor name and description of exhibit. Please note that this medal award carries copyright and must not be reproduced without the express permission of the Royal Horticultural Society.
2018 Judging criteria Future Florists Competition Judging Criteria 2018 Description Max Mark Originality, uniqueness, creativity IDEA Interpretation Choice of design with materials Scale of Endeavor/Degree of difficulty Total for idea 20 Proportion and dominance of used colour COLOUR Expression of ideas in colours Colour-composition (contrast, harmony, value of colours etc) Placement of colour Total for colour 20 COMPOSITION (Harmony/Unity) Shape/Form/Proportion Movement/Rhythm/Line/Space Visual Balance/Texture/Harmony/Volume/ Dominance/Contrast Total for composition 30 Condition of materials TECHNIQUE (Workmanship) Guarantee of durability Finish and workmanship Stability of work/actual (physical) balance, suitability of technique Method of construction Total for technique 30 Total Marks 100 Description Impact, distinction and creativity 15 OVERALL DISPLAY Colour balance and placement 10 Proportion, visual balance and harmony 15 Technique, finish and workmanship 10 *Correct at time of print, subject to review Royal Horticultural Society 2016