EVERYTHING'S coming up roses for a Colne florist who arrived back in East Lancashire today clutching a bouquet of awards from the Chelsea Flower Show.
Janet Boast, who owns Going Dutch florists in Broadway, Nelson, and also has a second shop in Keirby Walk, Burnley, won a gold medal and a Best in Show award in the professional florists' section of the prestigious show.
This was the second year Janet, of Albert Street, Colne, had exhibited at the show, though she came away empty-handed last year.
She put her 19 years of flower-arranging experience to good use by creating five works on the theme of the bicentenary of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The exhibits included a bridal bouquet and a planted arrangement and used lilies, orchids, passion flowers and even artichokes.
Janet, who has also won prizes at the Tatton Flower Show and had her flowers presented to the Queen, said: "I couldn't believe it. We went to the show thinking it would be great to come away with just a bronze medal as we didn't get anything last year.
"I'm thrilled to bits and only just coming back down to earth.
"It was quite a big, bold arrangement which we set up on the Wednesday. We were only there for the second half of the week because the floristry section is split, so we missed the day when all the big celebrities were there, though we saw Alan Titmarsh around quite a lot.
"I don't know where we go from here. This is better than we ever hoped for and these are the biggest awards we could have won. It's overwhelming.
"Everyone goes to the Chelsea Flower Show. It's the place to be for everyone in the business and to do this well is just amazing."
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