A florist from Suffolk won national acclaim by scooping a top gong at the first-ever Land-Based and Environmental Learner Awards.
Emily Robbins, 29, travelled to Reaseheath College in Cheshire to find out how she fared in the florist of the year category.
Around 200 people were in attendance during this occasion which was organised by LANTRA and LANDEX and hosted by Adam Henson from the BBC TV show called Countryfile.
Emily – a mum of two who runs Robbins Flowers in Debenham and goes to Suffolk Rural College – was delighted to be chosen as the pick of the bunch after scooping first prize.
Emily said: “It was a really interesting evening and I met lots of people from across the country. Overall it was just brilliant. I was just really excited to be there and to network a little bit. I didn’t expect to win. When they read out my name I was shaking with happiness. I was over the moon.”
“It’s a bit of recognition which is great. I’ve met some new people, my social network is building even more now – I think this will be really positive for my business.”
“My tutor Alison Liddiard (from Suffolk Rural) nominated me and I’m very grateful – without them (the college) and Alison, I wouldn’t have been at the awards.
“Overall it’s overwhelming being a national award winner but also very exciting and an amazing feeling.”
“In terms of the future, we have been really busy so I’m going to continue to build the business, hopefully employ a few more people and finish my level three qualification at the college in June 2024.”
Alison Jeffries is the head of land-based studies at Suffolk Rural and went along to support Emily at the awards. Alison said: “We are so proud of Emily. She is such an inspiration.”