Revisiting The Lonely Bouquet

With Christmas fast approaching I thought it would be nice to reflect upon the year as it draws to a close, and revisit this summers international first for the floral industry - the arrival of  'The Lonely Bouquet' event.

Wannabe Florist took part in July and supplied three lucky Cambridge residents & visitors with a lonely bouquet.  I have caught up with one of the recipients to get a greater insight to how the event has reached out to the general public.


 

 

Name, Age & Occupation

 

Elizabeth Stella Maria (Mellen) age 54, occupation Primary School Teacher

 Are you a Cambridge resident or visiting? If visiting what was your purpose of your visit?
 

I am a resident of Hackney and was visiting Cambridge for a weekend reunion at my old college, Trinity Hall, of my matriculation year, 1977.

Where did you find the Lonely Bouquet? What/who drew your attention to it?
 

I found the lonely bouquet in the alcove of the Caius College clock, in Senate House Passage. It was drenched in sunlight and immediately caught my attention.  

What were your immediate reaction/ initial thoughts?
 

My first thought was that it was placed there as a shrine or memorial to someone possibly recently dead, and so the immediate delight was tempered with apprehension as I peered at the label.

I was with a friend and she said, 'It's for you!' and then pointed out that we were being watched.
(Elizabeth was being watched by myself and my camera crew from a secluded spot, so that we could watch and capture the publics' genuine initial reaction first hand for the video documentary. )

 

Had you heard about the Lonely Bouquet project before you found the bouquet?

 

I had never heard of the lonely bouquet project, but was delighted to receive an unexpected bouquet as I have so rarely been given or sent flowers.  

 

Do you frequently buy flowers for yourself? If so why? 

I adore nature and its flora and fauna, so I buy flowers for the house every week; usually whatever is in season and cheap.  This week there is a large blue earthenware jug of sunflowers, and just fading, the first bouquet my son has bought me, double red roses and gypsophila, which I left in their pretty pink cellophane.   

Where did your Lonely Bouquet end up? At your home? at work?
 

The lonely bouquet went home to London with me and lasted well over a week.  The boys were all very curious about it, and maybe it prompted Alex's gesture.  It was sad when the bouquet started to droop, but I took it into the garden and photographed it for posterity before it passed its best.  Its ruby coloured vase is a now a lovely sundae glass.