Scottish Florist Makes Henley Her New Home & Business
A new florist shop, The Henley Florist & Flower School on Hart Street has opened by owner, Lorna Dunlop originally from Scotland last Thursday. Lorna ran a florist shop in Edinburgh for ten years called Rowan Flowers & Crafts. Henley Mayor, Councillor Sarah Miller did the officially honours of cutting the ribbon.
Lorna said, “I came to Henley after falling in love with the place after visiting David Rodger Sharp (pictured above with Lorna and Sarah) earlier this year. I started out as a humble stall at Waverley train station every Friday, moved to Ocean Terminal and then had a shop in Meadowbank. For the past five years I have taught both at beginner and intermediate level for the Adult Education programme run by the City of Edinburgh Council.”
“It is important to me to share the beauty of flowers with others and to show people how to get the best experience out of their flowers whether florist purchased or from a supermarket and to educate people on the difference and why it is worth spending the same money on fewer flowers from a florist. I am passionate about supporting local businesses and the community. In Edinburgh I was a regular “flower lady” at St Columba’s Hospice and I always encouraged brides or corporate clients to donate their flowers on to a good cause after the event itself so that others could enjoy them.”
Lorna has already met lots of people in Henley and is starting to be part of the community. She’s agreed to help sponsor both the Mayor’s Drag Yourself Out charity event and also the Rugby Club Christmas Party.
Lorna’s other passion as well as flowers is music, “I am delighted to have found a guitar teacher in Henley already. I now feel properly settled now that the shop is open and I have found a beautiful place for me to stay in New Street.”
The Flower School classes will be hosted in the workshop above the shop. They will be from the basics of floristry to more advanced things such as making shower bouquets for weddings . The classes will be advertised on the Facebook page facebook.com/The-Henley-Florist-and-Flower-School and Lorna hopes to run a wreath making workshop next week.
Henley Mayor, Councillor Sarah Miller said “I was delighted to be invited to open the new flower shop and floral school. Lorna has some great ideas that involve combining a traditional florist with providing training in floristry.”
“The space she has taken on lends itself beautifully to that enterprise. The decor is clean and contemporary, Lorna has added a ‘local’ feel to the space by displaying the work of Henley artist Kirsten Jones.”
“I would like to say a huge welcome to Henley and I hope Lorna will be very happy and prosperous in her new premises.”
