3rd May 2018

Demonstrator:  Patricia Dibben
​Her Title: "Stepping Forward - Glancing Back"

On a warm May evening we welcomed National Demonstrator Patricia Dibben to our Club and the hall was filled with over 70 members as well as a number of visitors.  We were immediately introduced to a large open-weave basket from Holland which Patricia filled with foliage, explaining it was important to manipulate not mutilate when trimming it to size.  This was then filled with Solidago, green Dianthus, Sweet William and Tulips.  Her second arrangement was two placements enclosed in a metal frame and it included red Anthurium, purple Lilac and an old-fashioned light pink rose.  Next a raised container was filled with palms, Bergenia leaves and Hebe to which Patricia added orange Orchid, Solidago and red Anthuriums.  To complete the design, she included a similar smaller arrangement at table level.
 
Now ‘glancing back’ the next design was recalling the WAFAS 2017 show in Barbados.  Using a beautiful piece of wood along with ferns, Aspidistra, variegated Fatsia and Cordyline  a Caribbean splash of colour was created using: Heleconium, Ginger Lilies and large orange Gerbera. When completed she added a second similar design to produce a stunning display.  Once again looking back to years ago when Patricia started work as a florist she explained that designs were quite often triangular; so, her fifth design reflected this.  It was all white, arranged in an elevated white urn including Larkspur, Delphinium, lilies and Avalanche roses to which she added a smaller arrangement at the base.
 
Patricia told us how she joined the first full time floristry course in the country which was held in Tottenham and as time went on she decided she wanted to learn more contemporary skills.  Her sixth and final design was part of the ‘stepping forward’ with a more contemporary design.  Two red circles suspended in a frame were decorated as sunsets with green foliage then starting with the yellow of Solidago through to orange Gerbera and bright red Anthurium and dark red roses.  Once again, the design was completed with a third placement.  Many members and visitors went home happy with their raffle prize designs.
 
We are a very active Club with nearly 90 members.  During the year after our AGM in January there are monthly demonstrations – twice a year by National Demonstrators, a social practical evening and sessions of flower arranging for beginners and the more able.  Visitors are very welcome to come to any of our meetings. On 7th June we have Lorraine Saunders and on 5th July Lionel Clark who will be at the club for his 11th visit! There is no meeting in August.  If you require further information keep checking at this website, use the 'join/contact'  tab or ‘like’ our page on Facebook.
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