BLOOMING IN MY 50s

For Kathryn Cronin, 58, being made redundant from her job was a blessing

- JOHANNA BELL

Standing back, I watched proudly as a crowd of people took photographs of my creation, whisperingtoeachotherabouthow amazing it was.

As clichéd as it sounds, I almost had to pinch myself that it was really happening. It was May 2023 and this was my first floral display at The Chelsea Flower Show. I'd created a beautiful compass out of fresh and dried flowers and called it 'Time to change'. It actually summed me up perfectly, because just a few years ago, working with flowers for a living was nothing more than a dream, With my 50th birthday approaching I'd taken the plunge and it was the best thing I ever did.