I established The Flowers in the Weald in 2017. My name is Amanda.

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I was born and raised in the small town of Maidstone, Kent, where I worked hard as a loving mother of two. After years of dedicating myself to providing for my children, I suddenly found myself with much more free time now that they are all grown up. “What should I do with this time?” I pondered. Then it hit me—flowers! I have always loved the colours, textures, and smells of flowers, so why not learn more about the art of floristry?

“How do I get started?” I wondered. Luckily, the nearby Adult Educational Centre was offering classes, and my mother-in-law and I attended weekly. It started off as a weekly hobby but then my tutor encouraged me to take my skills further by pursuing a City and Guilds qualification. However, after only a short time in classes, I felt hesitant, believing I needed more practice and experience to build my confidence.

In 2004, I mustered the courage to enroll in the City and Guilds Course, which focused on traditional flowers and contemporary design. I passed ! This accomplishment inspired me to attend Hadlow College from 2014 to 2017, where the courses emphasised creativity, expression, interpretation, and imagination. It was here that I developed my unique style, achieving qualifications at NCFE Level 2 and 3.

Recognizing the growth of the wedding industry, I felt it was essential to learn more in that area. So, I completed a five-week wedding course to round out my education.

Even after finishing my training, I didn’t stop learning. I spent countless hours reading and researching new methods to enhance my skills, including working with dried flowers. Winters can be tough for sourcing fresh flowers, so I used that time to teach myself the techniques required for handling dried flowers, mastering this method as well.

Every year, I found myself creating flower arrangements for family and friends for various occasions—birthdays, christmas, easter, get well soon, funerals, weddings, or simply home decor.

On March 19th, 2017, The Flowers in the Weald was born, making its first public appearance at the Ashford International Hotel. This day was particularly special to me, as it was also my daughter’s birthday, which we spent together decorating the table for the fair—a memory I will cherish forever.

I am incredibly passionate about flowers and the work I do, and that passion is reflected in every petal, stem, and basket I use in my craft. I founded The Flowers in the Weald to bring smiles to faces and fill hearts with joy by showcasing the beauty of nature through flowers, wheats, plants, and more.

Each arrangement is crafted with precision and attention to detail, so I am happy to keep my operations small, catering to local villages and towns around Kent. This allows me to maintain high quality in my work, which brings me immense happiness and contentment.

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I invite you to visit my workshop located in the quaint village of Collier Street, Kent. You’re welcome to come by to see some of my current projects or to discuss ideas for something you might like to create.

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Kindest Regards

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Amanda

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