Wendy’s reflections on the year

As we near the end of another year it’s always good to reflect. In doing so you can move forward and plan. How will Organic Blooms look in 2024 and beyond?

At the beginning of 2023 Jo and I became co-chairs of Flowers From the Farm, an organisation that has grown to a membership of 1000 flower growers, florists and grower/florists. Little did we know that within two months we would have a request from royal florist Shane Connolly for our members to supply cut flowers and plants for the coronation. Joined by our other co-chair, Debbie Scott, we set about organising flowers to come from all over the UK. Arriving at Organic Blooms, they were sorted and packed off to London at 4am on Thursday 4th May. The following day we had the honour of going to Westminster Abbey to view the arrangements created by Shane and his team. This was an amazing experience and four weeks later we found ourselves at a House of Lords reception for environmental horticulture!

When taking on the co-chair roles we knew one of the challenges would be to bring about a  restructuring process of Flowers From The Farm and this is now in progress. By the middle of 2024 we hope a new structure will be in place and we can step  down, having achieved our goal.

During 2023 we’ve also had a bit of restructure at Organic Blooms with staff changes and with trainees having joined and left us. Our biggest change has undoubtedly been our office administrator, Nicola Webber, leaving us and moving on to pastures new. Nic has been with us for 10 years and created many of the systems we have in place today. She will be greatly missed by us all but we wish her all the very best.

During 2024 we will continue our partnership with Abel & Cole supplying plants, herbs, cut flowers and edible flowers. The edible flowers are a new venture started in late 2022. It has been a great success and has given two of our trainees paid employment. We are also looking forward to increasing our presence in the market by supplying Flowervision Bristol, making British Flowers more accessible to the mainstream floristry trade.

Of course it goes without saying that we also look forward to continuing creating beautiful bouquets, unique wedding flowers and meaningful, natural sympathy arrangements for you, our  customers. We look forward to welcoming you to our workshops and open day. Thank you to everyone who supports us, none of this would happen without you.

All that is left to say is we wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year from us all at Organic Blooms.