 Steve Betts MSF (L) - Winner of the first OASIS® Academy Competition, receiving his trophy from Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd. MD, Stephen Short (R)On the hottest day of the year, Steve Betts of Urban Design by Christine became the very first OASIS® Academy winner. The final competition took place at the sweltering Royal Horticultural Society Tatton Park Show in July, where Steve beat five other florists to become the champion.
During the year, heats had taken place throughout England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland and the six florists with the highest marks in the regional heats went through to the final competition.
The road to glory started for Steve when he joined the family business in Hall Green, Birmingham as a delivery driver in May 2000. With his mother Anne Betts giving him the best possible in-house training, Steve gradually developed his floristry skills. His knowledge increased when he worked alongside many top designers, including OASIS® Ambassador, Rob Wallace, and the Teleflorist Chelsea team of Tom Burns and Jeanette Rawson.
Spurred on by the support of these talented florists, Steve tried his hand at demonstrating at the Debut Designers platform at the Spring Florist Event and was delighted when Caroline Marshall Foster invited him to design the S.G.P. stand at the following year's Spring Florist Event. It was at this event in 2006 when visiting the OASIS® Floral Products stand, that he discovered the OASIS® Academy Competition and, after some gentle persuasion, was encouraged to enter.
Off Steve headed for the Welsh College of Horticulture to take part in his heat. Here, the competitors had to make four designs from products and flowers supplied by OASIS® Floral Products and with no idea what designs they would be asked to make, the pressure was on to produce great floristry within a limited timescale. Elated to win the regional heat, Steve went off on holiday and whilst away, got the phone call advising him he was one of the finalists.
At the Tatton Park final, the contestants had to complete five tasks with an exciting theme based around the launch of a new fashion collection. Again, all the materials were supplied and included a whole range of products, from OASIS® RAINBOW® Foam to decorative pins and wires.
With the pressure on to produce stunning designs, all the competitors were inspired by the variety of OASIS® Floral Products and a great selection of flowers chosen by the organizer of the competition, OASIS® Ambassador, Helen Jamieson. After a closely fought contest in exhausting heat, Steve Betts was pronounced the winner.
Congratulations to Steve, who can enjoy the glory of being the first OASIS® Academy winner, and it does not stop there. Steve will have the opportunity to help OASIS® Floral Products during photo shoots and events. Most significantly, being the designer on the OASIS® Floral Products stand at Horti Fair, in Amsterdam. He'll work alongside OASIS® Ambassadors and have a whole range of new floral experiences - all aimed at increasing Steve's knowledge and broadening his skills. It's a very exciting time, but Steve has his feet firmly on the ground and he is looking forward to a fabulous future in floristry.
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