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RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year 2019 Why don t you take the challenge and enter one of the Regional Heats to be in with a chance to stage your piece in the prestigious Chelsea final in May next year? The BFA have listened to competitor feedback and after taken on board your comments we are now bringing the BFA Chelsea heat competitions much earlier in the year. Heats will be held through out the UK from June through to September 2018. Once again the British Florist Association is working in association with the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) to select finalists for the RHS Chelsea & RHS Chelsea Young Florist of the Year 2019. This competition will be held at the heart of the world's most famous flower show in Chelsea and showcases the very best in professional floristry. Every year the RHS searches for the best floristry talent in the UK and the BFA play an essential part in this process. The BFA coordinates and organises all the heats held around the UK. The British Florist Association s excellent relationship and essential role continues as part of the RHS Florist advisory panel, helping from the planning stages, right the way through the setup, to the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower show in so many ways. The two categories for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are: The RHS Young Chelsea Florist of the Year: (ages between 16-25 years) The RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year: (ages 26 and over) Both categories have the same schedule as shown on page 4. Contents of this Pack: Page 3 Page 4 Pages 5 7 Page 7 Page 8 Heat Venues and Dates Competition Schedule Regional Qualifying Heat Rules and Regulations Judging schedule BFA Chelsea Inspiration day information and Cost of Entry information Page 2
Venue Date Time Excelsior Wholesale 37, Shirrall Drive, Drayton Bassett, Tamworth B78 3EQ Sunday 10 th June 2018 CAFRE Greenmount Campus, 45, Tigracy Road, Muckamore, Antrim Co. Antrim, BT41 4PS Wednesday 4 th July 2018 East Durham College, Willerby Grove, Peterlee, Co. Durham, SR8 2RN Capel Manor, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, EN1 4RQ Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 7BY Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 0RY Sunday 8 th July 2018 Sunday 9 th September 2018 Sunday 16 st September 2018 Sunday 23 rd September 2018 Page 3
Date June September 2018 BFA Chelsea Heats Schedule 1 RHS CHELSEA FLORIST OF THE YEAR Duration Theme To be brought readymade Bridal head adornment - Tiara (description of a Tiara is in the Professional Floristry Manual) Kind of work Floristry Description Shape Size Technique Fashion Magazine Shoot Design and create a wired Tiara for a model to wear at the Fashion shoot Semi-circular Free The design is to be wired The design must be detachable from the support or stand it is displayed on. The judges will need to wear the design for judging purposes Material Preparation Judging All material for this design to be supplied by the competitor N/A At least two thirds of the finished design must be fresh flower and /or plant material. The fresh flower and /or plant material must be visually dominant. The judges will be looking for high standard of technique and design. The headdress will be tried on by the judges. All pieces will be judged but any showing obvious disregard to the schedule will be marked 0 for Interpretation and an additional 20 penalty points will be deducted from the total. The competitor will not be placed. Judging Criteria Exhibition Description As described in The Professional Florists Manual. Judging criteria as used by the UK Floristry Judges Guild. The judge s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. To be placed on an open table. The competitor must supply the stand/prop on which the design will be displayed. The stand/prop on which the design will be displayed will not be judged as part of the design. This semi-circular ornamental headdress is made with flowers and/or plant material and usually incorporates diamante or pearl beads. The tiara/diadem is worn at the front of the head and is often fixed to a veil at a wedding. There must be attachment loops incorporated into the tiara/diadem for ease of fixing Page 4
BFA Chelsea Heats 2018-2019 Schedule 2 RHS CHELSEA YOUNG FLORIST OF THE YEAR Date June September 2018 Duration Theme Kind of work Description Shape Size Technique To be brought ready made Fashion Magazine Shoot (An event at which photographs are taken of models specifically for magazine editorial) Wired Posy (description of Posies are in the Professional Floristry Manual) Design and create a wired Posy for a model wearing a bridesmaids dress at the fashion shoot Round Free The design is to be wired The design must be detachable from the support or stand it is displayed on. The judges will need to handle the design for judging purposes Material Preparation Judging All material for this design to be supplied by the competitor N/A At least two thirds of the finished design must be fresh flower and /or plant material. The fresh flower and /or plant material must be visually dominant. The judges will be looking for high standard of technique and design. The posy will be carried and handled by the judges. All pieces will be judged but any showing obvious disregard to the schedule will be marked 0 for Interpretation and an additional 20 penalty points will be deducted from the total. The competitor will not be placed. Judging Criteria Exhibition Description As described in The Professional Florists Manual. Judging criteria as used by the UK Floristry Judges Guild. The judge s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. To be placed on an open table. The competitor must supply the stand/prop on which the design will be displayed. The stand/prop on which the design will be displayed will not be judged as part of the design. Posies: Posies are popular smaller-sized versions of a round bouquet that are suitable for many occasions and celebrations. Consideration must be given to the appropriate size of design for the intended person, particularly when the posy is to be carried by a child. Page 5
REGIONAL QUALIFYING HEAT RULES AND REGULATIONS There will be 2 categories at the Regional Qualifying BFA Heats. The RHS Young Chelsea Florist of the Year (aged between 16-25 years of age.) The RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year (aged 26 and over.) 1. Entry to the competition is open to: Any florist working in or owning a retail florist shop Students or tutors at an approved floristry school or recognised college Members of the Institute of Professional Florists (membership must be current with an expiry date of June 2019 or later) Freelance florists who are VAT registered. Please note that RHS entry criteria does preclude freelance florists who are not VAT registered. Freelance florists who are registered with their local authority for business rates on their studio/workshop. Please note that RHS entry criteria does preclude freelance florists who are not registered for business rates with their local authority. 2. In order for a student to enter the competition under the name of the college at which they are studying they will be required to provide their enrolment documentation for inspection during registration at the Heat. 3. Floristry tutors that wish to enter the competition under the name of the college at which they teach will be required to provide a copy of their employment documentation from the college that displays their name, the college details and the course they are teaching for inspection during registration at the Regional Heat. 4. Competitors that are a member of the Institute of Professional Florists and wish to enter the competition must have a current membership with an expiry date of June 2019 or after. A copy of their membership certificate needs to be presented at the Regional Heat for inspection during registration. 5. VAT registered freelance florists that wish to enter the competition will need to provide a copy of their VAT certificate for inspection during registration at the Regional Heat. 6. Freelance florists that are registered with their local authority for business rates wishing to enter the competition will need to provide a copy of their current rates bill (in the year of the competition entry) for inspection during registration at the Regional Heat. 7. Competitors entering the Regional Heat and failing to produce any of the above mentioned documentation will have their pieces marked on the day BUT should they qualify for a place in the final they will forfeit the right to compete with their marks disregarded and the place will be allocated to the next person with the highest scoring marks. 8. Entry into the competition is charged at 50.00 per person + VAT + Booking Fee for BFA members. NON- BFA members are charged at 100.00 per person + VAT + Booking Fee. This fee has to be paid before attending the heat. This charge is only applicable to BFA National Heats and will not apply to the final held at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. *** Please note, unregistered competition entries brought on the day will be subject to an additional fee of 10.00 on the above mentioned entry charges! *** Registration usually closes 2 working days before each Regional Heat is due to take place. Page 6
9. The BFA regrets the fact that competitors are NOT eligible for a refund if they are unable to attend the Regional Heat. 10. The number of competition entries at each venue is monitored. For each scheduled heat to run, a minimum number of entries required. If there are insufficient entries registered and the BFA decides to cancel the meeting all existing competitors will be notified no later than two weeks prior to the meeting and given the opportunity to move to a different venue in their area or cancel their registration. Due to some venues being larger than others there will be a cap on the maximum number of entries in the smaller venues. 11. Should the BFA decide to cancel the heat due to insufficient entries or force majeure (i.e. adverse weather conditions or natural disaster) the competitor will be given the opportunity to move to a different heat of their choice or if requested the BFA will refund the competitor in full (ticket, VAT & booking fee). 12. The competition entry fee will automatically allow the competitor into the BFA Regional Heat without having to pay any further admission charges. 13. A competition application form must be completed before entry. You will receive the application form by e-mail 24 hours before the event. You will need to print and complete the application form prior to entering the Regional Heat and present it with your competition piece to the competition steward during registration. 14. The details provided by the competitor on the application form at the Regional Heat are not able to be amended after the heat has taken place. Once the application form has been completed and signed by the competitor, the information on this document will apply for the entire competition cycle. i.e. The competitor is not able to amend their details or change their employment during the current selection process. 15. If a competitor changes employment after the Regional Heat and prior to the Competition Final the competitor forfeits their right to compete in the final even if they have won their Regional Heat. 16. Any competitor that is found to have provided false information on their application form at the Regional Heat will be removed from the competition and excluded for the entire competition cycle. A record is kept by the UK Floristry Judges Guild in the competitor s name for future reference. 17. A competitor may only submit one entry per competition cycle and is NOT allowed to enter the same competition twice during the 2018/19 selection process. 18. A competitor may enter the competition at any of venues where the Regional Heats are being held. 19. Competition entries must be placed at the venue no later than the start time of the Regional Heat. Start times may vary per region, it is the competitor s responsibility to check the website for the correct start time details and arrive at least half an hour before this time. 20. It is the competitor s responsibility to ensure they place their piece in the appropriate category for which they have registered. The competitor is responsible for ensuring the stability of their entry when placed. 21. Late entries will only be accepted at the discretion of the Judge. 22. All competitors must make themselves and their entries available, as required by the RHS and the BFA, for media purposes. 23. The running of the BFA Regional Heats is the responsibility of the BFA and The UK Floristry Judges Guild. 24. Each competitor will be presented with a certificate of participation on the day of their chosen Regional Heat. First, Second and Third placements in each category will be presented with a winner s certificate. Page 7
25. Sixteen competitors with the highest marks from all the Regional Heats in each category will be invited to compete at the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year final held in May 2019. Competitors failing to provide any documentation as stated in rules 2,3,4,5 and 6. Rule 7 will be applied to these competitors and their entries. 26. All marks collated at the qualifying BFA Regional Heats will be retained by the UK Floristry Judges Guild. Any additional places required at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 (i.e. due to competitor drop outs) will be allocated from the highest scoring marks retained. 27. Any competitor that is chosen to compete in one of the additional places in the Competition Final, using the highest scoring marks retained by the UK Floristry Judges Guild, will only qualify if they adhere to rule 13 & 14. 28. If a competitor is not according to schedule, the competition piece will be marked but may be disqualified from going through to The RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year or RHS Chelsea Young Florist of the Year Final. 29. Entries for the qualifying BFA Regional Heats need to be received before the cut off date. This date varies per meeting, it is the competitor s responsibility to check the website for the correct cut off date and apply in good time. 30. Aggression or abuse from competitors directed towards BFA, RHS or UK Floristry Judges Guild staff will not be tolerated. Aggressive or abusive behaviour includes language (whether verbal or written) that may cause staff to feel afraid, threatened or abused and may include threats, personal verbal abuse, derogatory remarks and rudeness. We also consider inflammatory statements, remarks of a racial or discriminatory nature, unsubstantiated allegations and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be abusive behaviour. Competitors found displaying any of the above symptoms of behaviour will be removed from the competition and banned from entering any future competitions organised by the BFA, RHS & UK Floristry Judges Guild. 31. Competitors will need to bring their completed piece to the meeting. At the meeting they will be given 30 minutes to stage their piece and prepare it for judging. 32. The RHS, BFA and the UK Floristry Judges Guild reserve the right to amend the rules and regulations for both the BFA Regional Heats and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show final at any time. The competition will marked using the European Professional Judging Schedules. Idea 20 marks Colour 20 marks Composition 30 marks Technique 30 marks Total maximum marks 100 The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Rules and regulations stated above were last updated on 17th November 2017 Page 8
Cost of Entry BFA Chelsea Florist of the Year Heat Competition & BFA Chelsea Young Florist of the Year Heat Competitions: 50.00 + VAT + booking fee for BFA/IoPF members 100.00 + VAT + booking fee for non-members * BFA Chelsea Heat Competitors have FREE OF CHARGE - entry to the BFA Chelsea Inspiration Day BFA Chelsea Inspiration Days 2018 2019 Heats will be part of the BFA Chelsea Inspiration Days. The events will include the BFA Chelsea heat competitions, the BFA Newcomer Competitions as well as a demonstration from a leading demonstrator. The days will be publicised allowing your work to be appreciated by a wider audience and giving you, your designs, your business and talents wider exposure. Encourage those around you to come along and enjoy all the day has to offer. All competitors of the BFA Chelsea heat competitions will enjoy free of charge entry to the BFA Chelsea Inspiration Day. Entry to BFA Chelsea Inspiration Day BFA Members: Entry price 10.00 + VAT + booking fee Non Members: Entry price 20.00 + VAT + booking fee Newcomer competition Entry to the Newcomer competition is FREE OF CHARGE, but Newcomer competitors MUST purchase a ticket to the inspiration day. Page 9