National Demonstrator: David Thomson |
| The Flower Club also made a large floral tree in pink and purple– see photograph, that showcased our skills and talents. |  |
A Practical Evening with a Difference
Our meeting on October 4th was advertised as ‘A practical evening with a difference’ which was code for a workshop/ dabble evening. These crafty evenings have become a very popular, sociable and enjoyable fixture on our calendar and over 40 members attended.
Our chairman, Carolyn Cranswick, introduced the evening and explained that it was an opportunity to learn new creative skills. Five different practical activities had been organised by the committee, supported by two members. The evening consisted of card-making, decorative bows for flower arrangements or parcels, corsages/brooch making, wrist corsages made using manipulated wire.
Our chairman, Carolyn Cranswick, introduced the evening and explained that it was an opportunity to learn new creative skills. Five different practical activities had been organised by the committee, supported by two members. The evening consisted of card-making, decorative bows for flower arrangements or parcels, corsages/brooch making, wrist corsages made using manipulated wire.
After demonstrations by the activity leaders, each group settled down in earnest to an evening of chat and creativity. All the resources were supplied by the club and many participants managed to complete two, if not three, of the activities. The results were very impressive and many were surprised to find that they had hidden talents.
Dates for your diary:
6th December: an open evening with another favourite. National demonstrator John Chennell returns and closes the year with ‘The Magic of Christmas’. Why not join us for a relaxing and entertaining evening whilst gaining some ideas for your own Christmas decorations.
Tickets: £6 members, £10 visitors, including mulled wine (or soft drink) & mince pies, are available from Committee Members or Gillian Hill (01525 860539).
Venue: Clophill Village Hall
Time: doors open at 6.45pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm
3rd January 2019: our Annual General Meeting will be held in Clophill Village Hall Committee Room at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Dates for your diary:
6th December: an open evening with another favourite. National demonstrator John Chennell returns and closes the year with ‘The Magic of Christmas’. Why not join us for a relaxing and entertaining evening whilst gaining some ideas for your own Christmas decorations.
Tickets: £6 members, £10 visitors, including mulled wine (or soft drink) & mince pies, are available from Committee Members or Gillian Hill (01525 860539).
Venue: Clophill Village Hall
Time: doors open at 6.45pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm
3rd January 2019: our Annual General Meeting will be held in Clophill Village Hall Committee Room at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Demonstrator: Lee Berrill
His Title: 'All that glitters . . .'
Our members and visitors enjoyed a fabulous evening on November 1st at a demonstration by Lee Berrill entitled “All that glitters…..”. Lee from Northamptonshire said it would be a light-hearted look at Christmas. He featured baubles in many of his arrangements and confessed that he uses so many each Christmas that he buys them in bulk once Christmas is over each year when they are greatly reduced in price. He had made a huge bauble out of hula hoops and mesh fabric into which he arranged red gerbera, anthuriums and carnations.
He explained that his interest in flowers started from having to go with his mother to a demonstration because his father was not home in time to baby sit! After school he attended a City & Guilds College in Wales where he studied floristry, botany and other subjects before working at a florist in Luton. He now has his own business in Earls Barton.
As well as buying baubles in the sales, he advised that electrician’s cable ties are excellent for securing mechanics and that friends who have gardens with lots of foliage which he can cut are invaluable. His dog walking neighbour collects pine cones for him – he used over 400 in his next arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums and roses.
The design “Three Kings” was in rich purple and red carnations and gerbera with purple ostrich feathers. More baubles came next with orange flowers before a more traditional “winter” arrangement featuring cones, white lisianthus and lilies with blue cedar sprays.
Finally, “Music”- three very colourful arrangements using holly, ivy and red & burgundy flowers, one on a drum, another around a violin and the final one with a harp – a spectacular end to a very special evening.
He explained that his interest in flowers started from having to go with his mother to a demonstration because his father was not home in time to baby sit! After school he attended a City & Guilds College in Wales where he studied floristry, botany and other subjects before working at a florist in Luton. He now has his own business in Earls Barton.
As well as buying baubles in the sales, he advised that electrician’s cable ties are excellent for securing mechanics and that friends who have gardens with lots of foliage which he can cut are invaluable. His dog walking neighbour collects pine cones for him – he used over 400 in his next arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums and roses.
The design “Three Kings” was in rich purple and red carnations and gerbera with purple ostrich feathers. More baubles came next with orange flowers before a more traditional “winter” arrangement featuring cones, white lisianthus and lilies with blue cedar sprays.
Finally, “Music”- three very colourful arrangements using holly, ivy and red & burgundy flowers, one on a drum, another around a violin and the final one with a harp – a spectacular end to a very special evening.
Demonstrator: Lionel Clark
His Title: "Pick 'n Mix"
It was a very warm evening at the beginning of July when a full hall relaxed to enjoy a demonstration by Lionel Clark from Essex.
Lionel is a popular demonstrator who first came to Clophill in 1993 and this was his 11th visit. Sadly it was to be his last as retirement beckoned. In keeping with the season he started his demonstration called “Pick ‘n’ Mix” by producing a large basket which he proceeded to fill with foliage and yellow sunflowers.
A very tall slim glass vase was used next in which spectacular Anthuriums in cream and pink were arranged in a horizontal style. A small metal bike formed the basis of the next design, and then red roses in a vertical style in a tall red vase which was joined by another complimentary design - one he did earlier! Variety was provided with bright orange Gerbera. His final design was in a wicker chair which he thought was suitable for an early retirement. To this he added another smaller wicker chair with matching flowers which was for ‘visitors’ who came for coffee. The completed stage was a riot of colour with interesting forms.
The lucky raffle winners not only took the flowers home, but in most cases because Lionel was ‘down sizing’ were given the containers as well! We will be sad not to be able to welcome Lionel to Clophill again but to ensure he remembered us he was presented with a pen engraved with the club name.
We do not meet in August but everyone is welcome to join us on the 6th September in Clophill Village Hall, doors open at 7 for a prompt start at 7.30pm. At that time we shall have another floral feast when Alan Smith is presenting “Autumn Glory”. Why not come and see what is going on? We would love to see you and visitors are welcome at any of our meetings.
Lionel is a popular demonstrator who first came to Clophill in 1993 and this was his 11th visit. Sadly it was to be his last as retirement beckoned. In keeping with the season he started his demonstration called “Pick ‘n’ Mix” by producing a large basket which he proceeded to fill with foliage and yellow sunflowers.
A very tall slim glass vase was used next in which spectacular Anthuriums in cream and pink were arranged in a horizontal style. A small metal bike formed the basis of the next design, and then red roses in a vertical style in a tall red vase which was joined by another complimentary design - one he did earlier! Variety was provided with bright orange Gerbera. His final design was in a wicker chair which he thought was suitable for an early retirement. To this he added another smaller wicker chair with matching flowers which was for ‘visitors’ who came for coffee. The completed stage was a riot of colour with interesting forms.
The lucky raffle winners not only took the flowers home, but in most cases because Lionel was ‘down sizing’ were given the containers as well! We will be sad not to be able to welcome Lionel to Clophill again but to ensure he remembered us he was presented with a pen engraved with the club name.
We do not meet in August but everyone is welcome to join us on the 6th September in Clophill Village Hall, doors open at 7 for a prompt start at 7.30pm. At that time we shall have another floral feast when Alan Smith is presenting “Autumn Glory”. Why not come and see what is going on? We would love to see you and visitors are welcome at any of our meetings.
Demonstrator: Lorraine Saunders
Her Title: 'Magic Moments'
Our June demonstrator was Lorraine Saunders, her theme 'Magic Moments' were special moments throughout her life.
Her first design was Wedding Day, a display in pink. Two varieties of pink Roses and tiny buds of Pinks set in a bed of Ruscus atop a circle of pink tulle.
Two Princes was her second title (for her two boys). Bright Orange Espana Roses, Carnations and Eryngium (sea holly) depicted the boys love of sailing. Sails made from white midelina sticks completed the design. Phormium leaves pointed the way to the Half Marathon with bright yellow Gerbera, Aspidistra Leaves and Spotted Laurel.
A large wicker basket was used to arrange a summer garden complete with trellis for the Chelsea Flower Show exhibit. Big bright colours, mauve Stocks, blue Agapanthus and orange Carnations with various greenery completing the design.
Her last arrangement the National Flower Show. A beautiful piece of wood used as the centre piece. Cocculus Laurel, Leather Leaf Fern and Eucalyptus Leaves together with lime green Anastasia Chrysanthemum, florets of pale pink Lisianthus and cream Avalanche Roses made a fantastic show.
Some of the designs had smaller second and third arrangements which completed the displays. Lorraine's stories of her wedding, the boys’ antics in boats, the hours it took her to complete the half marathon and her achievements in the flower shows kept the audience amused throughout the evening.
Our next meeting is July 5th our demonstrator is Lionel Clark. Lionel is retiring and this will be his 11th, and last, visit to Clophill. Don't miss him.
Her first design was Wedding Day, a display in pink. Two varieties of pink Roses and tiny buds of Pinks set in a bed of Ruscus atop a circle of pink tulle.
Two Princes was her second title (for her two boys). Bright Orange Espana Roses, Carnations and Eryngium (sea holly) depicted the boys love of sailing. Sails made from white midelina sticks completed the design. Phormium leaves pointed the way to the Half Marathon with bright yellow Gerbera, Aspidistra Leaves and Spotted Laurel.
A large wicker basket was used to arrange a summer garden complete with trellis for the Chelsea Flower Show exhibit. Big bright colours, mauve Stocks, blue Agapanthus and orange Carnations with various greenery completing the design.
Her last arrangement the National Flower Show. A beautiful piece of wood used as the centre piece. Cocculus Laurel, Leather Leaf Fern and Eucalyptus Leaves together with lime green Anastasia Chrysanthemum, florets of pale pink Lisianthus and cream Avalanche Roses made a fantastic show.
Some of the designs had smaller second and third arrangements which completed the displays. Lorraine's stories of her wedding, the boys’ antics in boats, the hours it took her to complete the half marathon and her achievements in the flower shows kept the audience amused throughout the evening.
Our next meeting is July 5th our demonstrator is Lionel Clark. Lionel is retiring and this will be his 11th, and last, visit to Clophill. Don't miss him.