Ashton Hayes and Tarvin Flower Club Meeting

The hall of the Community Centre looked most inviting as visitors and members arrived. There were stalls with Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and ribbon as well as Christmas food, door wreaths and cards and labels. There was also a guest stall with hand knitteds and scarves. The Tombola table was packed with gifts and the demonstrator had arranged the stage.

Our demonstrator was Julie Pearson who is a florist, area demonstrator and teacher. Flower arrangers and demonstrators are trying to cut down on the use of flower foam as it is bad for the environment. The demonstrators have been asked to do at least one design without it. However, this evening Julia used it in only one of her six designs. Instead, she used some very clever ideas for holding the flowers. A large book with the pages removed and refolded gave us the base for a large spreading design containing lots of foliage with large pink gerbera, ornamental cabbage and phormium which she had shredded to look like grass. We will all want to try that effect, but it will probably be harder to do than it looks. The second used a large construction of heavy twigs. This was removable. Around the base were placed hessian bags containing oasis. The design of mainly sunflowers was all made in these bags. Another large design followed which turned out to have a partner and be twice the size. It had 4 flickering candles, and all the flowers and foliage were placed at the back of the stands. Julia nearly knocked this one over as she moved around the stage. Orchids and anthuriums were used. The fourth design was a rough circle of twigs into which Julie wove tulips which had their bulbs attached, two hearts were hanging from the circle and rubus with leaves removed was twined around to complete the effect. A tall stand with a crown of light holders came next. Containers were also placed at the base and a stunning double design in shades of red and pink was produced. Again she added orchids for an exotic touch. The final construction was also circular and was made of heavy wire. This one had flowers hanging from it. Amaryllis blooms in pale pink were placed upside down. The demonstration was a modern interpretation of flowers at Christmas. There was no shine and sparkle and little red colour, but the stage looked wonderfully festive when Julie finished.
There were many raffle prizes but because of the way the designs were made these took the form of bunches. This is something we must become used to and actually it is fun to then arrange the flowers on returning home.

The homemade and delicious seasonal mince pies, cake, etc followed with tea/coffee. Many people were in no rush to go home so watched the designs being taken apart whilst chatting to friends.

We do not meet in December or January. Our AGM will be in February and notice of this will be announced with TOL.