Kathryn Cronin, who studied Level 2 and Level 3 Floristry courses at Reaseheath College, successfully set up her sustainable floristry business Fierceblooms in 2016, which continues to flourish. Kathryn shares her Reaseheath experience in the article below.
I started studying Floristry at Reaseheath College as a mature learner in 2014. I have a botany degree and some prior floral experience which I was keen to use, so I chose to study at Reaseheath to help me with my career change after working in corporate science for many years.
I inherited my passion and love for flowers from my late grandfather, who is a large inspiration behind the name of my small local floral business, Fierceblooms. It was an easy decision choosing Reaseheath as the place for me to study and turn my love for flowers into something more.
The floristry I had seen from the department was innovative, creative and progressive, so I felt sure I would thrive at Reaseheath College. Helen was my tutor, and I loved how she combined the practical with theory. Floristry is very much about both, and the emphasis was well placed on both of these key aspects.
One of my favourite things about studying the course was using the extensive floral section in the library to expand my knowledge. I was constantly taking out books and pouring over them. In fact, I wish I had access to it now!
I have so many happy memories at Reaseheath. One of my biggest highlights was having the opportunity to prepare the flowers for the students’ graduation ceremonies a few years back; that was very rewarding.
I return to Reaseheath every year to talk to students about my business, which is an absolute pleasure. Education is really important to me so I also run live online classes which I have done for over three years now.
I am particularly interested in seasonal and sustainable floristry, and the floral design principles learned at Reaseheath were the corner stone for me to develop my own “wild garden style”. I am really passionate about using just local, British grown flowers, and this was why I planted my own cutting garden next to the canal.
I am also a member of Flowers from the Farm, a UK wide not for profit organisation that promotes British flowers. This is a really good organisation for support and ideas about how to run a floral business, while growing your own flowers. It is Reaseheath that has given me my floristry roots though, for which I will always be very grateful.