I hope you had a lovely Easter and enjoyed the sunshine – until Easter Monday!! I always think this is an exciting time in the garden as everything is coming to life and you notice things you had forgotten about and plan for more things to come.
 
Our last meeting 3rd April when we had Arnaud Metairie was a really super evening. He is such a talented designer and is also very entertaining.  There was lots of praise for him and I am sure Joan will put him on the list to book again.
​
Next week on 1st May is our Open Meeting with a special demonstration ‘ A Splash of Colour’ by Emily Broomhead from Salisbury.  This will also be a super evening. There are still tickets available  - £6 for members and £12 for visitors. Please contact Gillian Hill if you need a ticket or one for a friend.  The Charity table theme is Lotions, Creams and Cosmetics.

​10th May is the Clophill Church and Village Fete and we always have a plant stall to support our charity fund. We would like to have donations of plants, seedlings, cutting or anything for the garden you can spare. You can bring them to the Club,  take them to a Committee Member or bring them on the day to St Mary’s Church. Thank you.

Area Member’s Day is on 29th April at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead when the speaker in the morning is Simone Squire and the National Demonstrator is Alison Penno with ‘Floral Idols’. There will be a buffet lunch and tickets are £25. This should be an excellent day and the venue is easy to get to and the parking is good.

I am attaching details of the Area Virtual Competition – Aspects of Summer’.     This is an opportunity to do an arrangement your own time, take a photograph of it and submit it to Sue Calver , Area Media Team.

At our March Meeting we presented the local MND Association with our donation of £700.   We asked Catherine Wiles, the daughter-in -law of Julie who is really suffering from this dreadful disease. The money will be used to support the victims and carers in different ways, I have received a letter of thanks from Julie’s son Richard that he asked to be passed on to you all and it is printed at the end of this newsletter.

I am delighted to say we the Club have adopted the same charity for 2025. 
Last weekend some of our members helped with wedding flowers at Maulden and Shuttleworth House. It was a very pretty event with mixed Spring flowers. The money we earned will go into the charity fund. 
**The theme for the April Charity Stall is:   Pots, Plants and Planters.

Our next meeting is on 3rd April when we have Arnaud Metairie demonstrating ‘Floral Fantasy’.  He is an excellent and very amusing demonstrator and one you shouldn’t miss. We would also like to have a display of Easter arrangements to share ideas and to inspire everyone to have a go! Please bring an arrangement, however large or small, to create an attractive display. 

 ​Looking ahead: 
On 5th April is the Houghton Conquest Horticultural Show and there is still time to put your entry form in for the Floral Art Classes.

1st May is our Open Meeting with a special demonstration ‘ A Splash of Colour’ by Emily Broomhead from Salisbury.
I have seen her several times and she is one of the top designers and has been selected to demonstrate at the National show in Gloucester in September.  Tickets are £6 for members and will be available at next week's meeting, from Gillian Hill or via the contact tab on this site.

10th May is the Clophill Church and Village Fete and we always have a plant stall to support our charity fund. We would like to have donations of plants, seedlings, cutting or anything for the garden you can spare. You can bring them to the Club,  take them to a Committee Member or bring them on the day to St Mary’s Church. Thank you.
​
Area Member’s Day is on 29th April at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead when the speaker in the morning is Simone Squire and the National Demonstrator is Alison Penno with ‘Floral Idols’. There will be a buffet lunch and tickets are £25. This should be an excellent day and the venue is easy to get to and the parking is good.

See you all soon.                      With my best wishes,
Carolyn        
 Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club
​
​******************************************************************************

​Letter from Richard Wiles
                              Presentation to the MND Association at our March Meeting to Rita Beaumont by Catherine Wiles          


​Dear Carolyn,
I'm with my mother now - as you may be aware, she has taken a turn for the worst and has had a tough couple of weeks. 

She wanted me to tell you that she was so grateful for the donation of £700 for MNDA - she is so appreciative that you chose a cause that is will benefit people in a similar condition to her. 

Betty had first pick of the flowers after having the first raffle number to be picked out, and donated them to Mum.  She was so happy with them - whoever made them did a great job. 

My lovely wife Cath also made mum cry today when Jan Bird replayed her speech - it was really lovely and  I found the words couldn’t have been chosen better.

Please can you forward the above to all at Clophill Flower Club, along with her love and thanks.
And the same from me, too.  

Sincerely,
Richard

At last, the Spring is showing signs of coming with lots of buds and Spring bulbs appearing in our gardens. When I walked in the woods near Shefford there were carpets of snowdrops and catkins on the trees and the sun was even shining!
​
We had a very good audience at our last Club meeting and I think everyone enjoyed the demonstration by Rachael Borenkova. She was well organised, her designs were varied and there were 14 raffle prizes, so many ladies went home with some lovely flowers. 


​At the meeting I announced that the Club had raised £700 for the local Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and that a cheque will be presented to a representative from the MNDA at our next meeting.   I have invited the family of one of our members who is suffering from this dreadful illness to come to the meeting too.

On 6th March we have Theresa Rodrigues coming to entertain us with ‘Anything Goes’ – not the song, but the title of her demonstration!

If you didn’t manage to come in February you will have the opportunity to vote for the charity for 2025, but we are having a another collection of items for Baby Basics at this meeting. Baby Basics is a local charity that supports disadvantaged new mothers with vital equipment and clothes. We would like donations of new or second-hand items, both large and small . They always appreciate hand knitted items.

Also, please remember to bring a mug for your tea/coffee for your refreshments at the meeting.

Area Member’s Day is on 29th April at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead when the speaker in the morning is Simone Squire and the National Demonstrator is Alison Penno with ‘Floral Idols’. There will be a buffet lunch and tickets are £25. This should be an excellent day and the venue is easy to get to and the parking is good.
​
Club Subscriptions can still be paid at our March and April meetings, either by cash, cheque or BACS.  We have an excellent programme for this year giving you great value for money.

        See you soon.  With my best wishes,
Carolyn         

Wishing you a very healthy and peaceful New Year full of fun, friendship and flowers.
I hope you had a lovely Christmas with friends and family.  It seems a while ago as all our decorations have come down and the house looks quite bare. I must go out a buy some tulips and bring the hope of Spring.
​
We had an excellent Christmas demonstration by Lucy Ellis and I hope you enjoyed the evening if you were able to be there.  Lucy said what a really friendly and lively Club we are and how much she enjoyed visiting us.

We now look forward to our 2025 programme that Joan has booked for us. It is full of super demonstrations by some familiar demonstrators and some exciting new ones. One highlight will be in June when our own Doug Howard gives his Special Retirement Evening with ‘A Man for All Seasons’. Doug has been an area demonstrator for many years and has decided to ‘hang up his scissors’ with his last flourish!!

The first meeting of the year is on Thursday 9 January when we hold our Annual General Meeting.  This is a social meeting when we review the past year and our successes and then plan for 2025.  We always like to have suggestions from members on how to improve the Club so we welcome anyone who would like to come.

​The Treasurer will present the accounts and we will hear how much our charity stall has made for our 2024 charity:  Motor Neurone Disease association. We plan for it to go to the local branch as one of our members is really suffering with this horrible disease. Thank you to all who have supported us and to Julie and Jean who have organised the stall throughout the year.  We would like nominations for charities for 2025, so please let us know if you have a suggestion and we will ask members to vote at our February meeting.  Julie says the theme for the Charity stall is Unwanted Christmas Presents – make sure the person who gave it to you isn’t with you!!

On 6 February we have Rachael Borenkova – ‘Let’s go to the Flower Shop’.  Rachael is new to our club but has been highly recommended. 
​
Subscriptions are due again.  It is £45 – the same a last year – you can pay by Bank Transfer, cheque or cash. 
​As agreed previously, the committee will be prepared to accept the subscription in staged payments over three months if this is helpful for members.  

See you soon,
With my best wishes,
Carolyn
Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club

This week I returned from a super holiday with John on a road trip all around the North of Scotland. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful and we had lots of walks on silver beaches, along gushing rivers and through woods that were full of Autumn colours.  It was very relaxing - just what I needed!

Last Wednesday it was the Area Education Fun Day that eight of our members attended. It was a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. There was a competition class that was judges by the Area judges and also the attendees. Doug Howard came 1st; Linda O’Toole came second and Lesley Sturdy came 3rd.   I was very proud of them all!

Our next meeting is Thursday 7th November when we have Barbara Collins, one of our favourite demonstrators, with ‘Floral Moments’.  As we are now into Autumn it would be great if members brought a seasonal arrangement to create a display to inspire everyone with lots of different ideas, with the title ‘Autumn Glory’.  Please have a go!!  Our charity table will be ‘Anything Christmas’. 

Our Christmas Demonstration is on 5th December. Unfortunately, Katherine Kear is unable to come as she is having an operation on her hand so we have been lucky to book Lucy Ellis, another National Demonstrator from Wiltshire, who will be coming instead with ’The Colours of Christmas’.   I am sure it will be a super demonstration and the tickets are the same price and will be available at next week or from Gillian. There will be our usual delicious mince pies made by Joan and a glass of mulled wine.
​
The Area AGM/lunch/Demonstration is on Wednesday 13th November. It will be held at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead from 10.30am.  This will be my last event as Area Chairman, as I hand over to Anne McPherson. I have really enjoyed the past 2 years and have made a lot of new friends in ‘the flower world’ of NAFAS.  There will be a buffet lunch and a demonstration by Margaret Rumens ‘Betwixt and Between’.  Tickets are £25, available from Celia Thompson.

The Flower Arranger magazine.  If you would like to order the NAFAS magazine that is always full of ideas, designs and news Kate will be taking orders/subscriptions next Thursday.  As a member of NAFAS, you can have it at a discounted price of £16.50 for 4 seasonal issues.
​
See you soon,         

​With my best wishes,
Carolyn        
 Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club

There is easy access and parking.

Doors open 10am, AGM at 11 followed by a delicious buffet lunch. 
There will  be a seating plan and we will be seated at decorated tables. 

In the afternoon there will be a demonstration by National Demonstrator
Margaret Rumens 
entitled  ​"Betwixt and Between"

Stalls to browse and tea/coffee and drinks available throughout the day.

Tickets £25 available through the Club or from Celia Thompson our Area Treasurer
**Please apply no later than 31 October**

Since our last meeting I have had a very busy time but I have enjoyed it all and I have survived!!

I would like to thank all our members who contributed to the Flower Festival 7th/8th September at St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. It was a super weekend and the Church looked great with 24 designs enhancing the features of the Church.  I was so pleased that so many of you came to stage designs both large and small. Ann S and I felt very proud of the arrangers that had attended our classes over the years and now their skills excelled. The festival was a celebration of the Anniversary and it attracted lots of visitors over the weekend.  All the flowers were sponsored by businesses and individuals and a profit of £1,600 was made to go towards the maintenance of the Church. It was lovely to see so many members coming to support us over the weekend. I think our fame is spreading!

​The following weekend we celebrated the wedding of my grand daughter Kate in Derbyshire. It was a very special family occasion that of course needed lots of flowers, so I was busy for two days. The colour scheme was purple, orange and lime green – quite different but effective.

There was a NAFAS Information Area with exhibits and programmes, posters and information about our Area Club. The Flower Arranger Officer was busy promoting the magazine and was giving free back copies that our members had donated. There were stewards there to tell the public about NAFAS and where their local Club meets. Hopefully, we have raised an awareness of NAFAS and we will gain new members at our Clubs.
 
We worked in partnership with St Mary’s Church, Hitchin by using their church and they organised the publicity, refreshments, programmes, stewarding and the wonderful music that entertained the 1,600 visitors throughout the weekend. The church members worked extremely hard for four days to take full advantage of the fundraising opportunity that we gave them. The Church has now informed us that they made a profit of over £16.000, that will help to improve the facilities in their beautiful church.  The agreement worked well as we wanted to design, stage and sponsor the cost of the flowers and the Church desperately needs funds.

 I really appreciated Ellie Meaking, NAFAS Director,  joining us at the Preview Evening on the Thursday and felt very proud showing her around the festival.  Kim Wilde also attended to officially open it. We had visitors from a wide area of the country, the photographer from The Flower Arranger, some National demonstrators and the local press, so hopefully the ‘Abundant Blessings’ will be remembered as a very happy occasion celebrating the skills and talents of the members of Home Counties Area of NAFAS.

At our Club meeting on Thursday 3rd, we are having a Dabble Evening. There will be 5 different activities for you to dabble at, as well as chatting to others. These evenings are always very social. Please come and just bring a pair of scissors. Everything else will be provided.  There will not be a charity table as there will be too much going on!
       
Education Fun Day on 23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 – 3pm. This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. Everyone is welcome.  Tickets are £20 for the day available from Celia.
        
​Tickets for our Christmas demonstration will also be available. £6 for members and £12 for visitors. We have Katherine Kear coming from Gloucester to celebrate ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.  It should be a great evening.

With my best wishes,
Carolyn        
 Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club

14 August 2024

As we don’t have a Club Meeting in August I am sending you my Newsletter to keep you all in touch with the Club. Also , it is so hot outside today I am trying to stay inside where it is a bit cooler – not a lot!!

​As usual I have been busy with NAFAS events. On 26th – 28th July I went to the ‘Highland Fling’’ in Glasgow, with
Ann Swain and Brenda London and about 150 NAFAS members from all over the UK and some from overseas.
It was the National President’s Weekend in a large hotel on the banks of the Clyde. We had a super time as it was
well organised with talks, dinners with entertainment afterwards and an excellent Scottish demonstration on
Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning the talk was about the life and career of Christian Dior – fascinating.
​Of course, there was time to chat to lots of people to share ideas and views that I also enjoyed.  

Houghton Conquest Autumn Show on Saturday 7th September. The classes give something for everyone.
1. "All About Orange" - an exhibit with orange being the predominant colour.
2. "Canned Creation" - an exhibit in a tin can, max overall height 30cm (12"), width 25cm (10"), depth 25cm (10"), foam free
3. "As you like it" - an exhibit using flowers from your garden or a bunch costing no more than £10 (include the receipt).
4. A foliage buttonhole.
Classes 2, 3 and 4 can be brought ready assembled.
1 and 3 will be staged within an area 51cm x 60cm (approx 20" x 23.5 "), height unlimited, against a brick wall.
2 and 4 will be staged on open tabling.
Further information available from the Secretary on 01234 740892 - [email protected]​



Area Flower Festival 19th – 22nd September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.
​‘Abundant Blessings’


​Home Counties Area are holding this big Flower Festival to showcase all the talents and skills we have and to promote our Clubs. There will be over 40 exhibits staged by Area Clubs and individuals and music in the Church throughout the weekend.  It will be a great event. 
See poster attached – please come to support your Area

​
​
​Education Fun Day 23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 - 3pm 
This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities
on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions.   Everyone is welcome.   Tickets are £20 for the day.

Our next meeting is 5th September with a demonstration by Wendy Goodliff – ‘A Stitch in Time’.
The Charity table theme is anything Handmade – crafts, materials, preserves, cookery

23 June 2024

​I would like to thank you all for supporting the Baby Basics charity at our last meeting. I have received a letter from Sue Ives the local organiser and she was overwhelmed by the amount of donations we gave her and assured me that they would all go to very needy mothers and babies.

I would also like to thank you for all the good wishes I received for my 80th birthday and also the beautiful bowl of orchids that I received from the Club. 
I had a wonderful weekend celebrating with my family and then a party for 60 with my extended family and special friends. Ironically I got 80 cards, two cakes and some lovely presents. Then John and I had a relaxing time in Guernsey for 5 days as it is one of my favourite places.
​​
I really enjoyed our June Meeting with Joanna Davis as she was such a friendly lady and her demonstration was very good. She informed us and entertained us with her Blooms and Tunes.

​​Flower Arranging Classes - Designs for Summer
Our classes have gone really well and the students have all excelled themselves again.

Our next meeting 4th July we have a change of demonstrator to our advertised one.
Jennifer Thompson is coming and her title is A Good Read. She has ben highly recommended so I am sure it will be another good evening.  Following on from our lovely Spring display of arrangements in April please get creative again and show us your ideas of ‘Summertime’ by creating an arrangement inspired by an aspect of Summer eg gardens, holidays, seaside summer cocktails or just sunshine. Please have a go!

Flower Festival 7th /8th September at St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. This will be a Festival of exhibits and displays enhanced with our flower arrangements. If you would like to be involved we have a viewing day on 2nd July 2-5pm and 5th July 2-5pm in St Mary’s Church, Clophill.  We need arrangers and ‘goffers’.

Area Flower Festival  19th – 22nd September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin  -  ‘Abundant Blessings’
Home Counties Area are holding this big Flower Festival to showcase all the talents and skills we have and to promote our Clubs. There will be over 40 exhibits and music in the Church throughout the weekend.  20 Clubs and many individuals are taking part and our Club team has one of the largest in front of the main altar. If you would like to be involved as a helper or a steward over the weekend, please let me know.

Education Fun Day  23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 – 3pm. This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam-free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. Everyone is welcome Tickets are £20 for the day.

With my best wishes,

​Carolyn

Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club

​We had a great evening at the Club in April with an excellent demonstration by Louisa Rigden. I was so pleased that lots of members brought a Spring design to create a fantastic display and lots of interest. As there was so much variety it would have been difficult to choose a personal favourite.   It is good to keep up our skills.

On 2 May we have an Open Evening with one of our favourite demonstrators – Lee Berrill, who wants us to ‘Remember When…’  Tickets are still available from Gillian.  It is advisable to reserve a ticket in advance either through Committee Members or through the Contact tab on this site. There will be no Charity Table as it is always a busy evening but Karen is bringing lots of plants for sale.

We will be holding a Plant Stall at the Village Fete on 11 May in aid of our charity for MND Association.   If you have any plants, seedlings or cuttings that you are willing to donate we would be very grateful and you can bring them to the May meeting,  deliver them to a committee member or to the Church on the day.

**Flower Arranging Classes - Designs for Summer**
During this 4-week course you will celebrate the beautiful flowers and foliage that grow in summer. Learn the  knowledge and skills needed to make beautiful designs that last.                                     

What will we cover?

• Creating different designs both modern and traditional. Using alternative mediums for sustainability within flower arranging.
• Plants to grow in your garden for flower arranging.
• How to place your design for maximum impact and longevity.
• The skills you need to select flowers, foliage and materials for your arrangements.

                
​               23rd May  - Carolyn         30th May   -   Ann S.         20th June -    Carolyn       27th June  -  Ann S
                                    £22 for 4 sessions     There will be registration forms available on 2nd May

On 6 June we have Joanna Davis demonstrating with her title: 'Blooms and Tunes'. 
​At that meeting we are planning to collect together our donations to Baby Basics, a charity which helps disadvantaged young mothers.  Please see these suggestions of suitable donations:
​Items appreciated -
Prams, pushchairs, high chairs, baby chairs
Moses baskets, baths
Baby mats, play mats
All toiletries for a newborn to age 5/6 years
Baby and adult toiletries, plus unopened gift sets
Size 12”, 14” jumpers, cardigans – white/pastel
Baby blankets
Clothes for 2-5 years, including new pairs of knickers and socks
Used clothing for children – birth to 5/6 years
Used towels/ bedding. All sizes and colours
Cold water steriliser vessels

Flower Festival 7/8 September St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. This will be a Festival of exhibits and displays enhanced with our flower arrangements. If you would like to be involved please sign the list at our next meeting – we need arrangers and ‘goffers’.

​Area Flower Festival  19 – 22 September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.  This is another date for your diary  

​With my best wishes,  
       Carolyn             ​
                                                     Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club