A message from Carolyn

To all my friends at Clophill & District Flower Club - March 2022 Newsletter​

I think Spring is here now and it is lovely to see all the spring flowers, blossom and buds in the gardens.  It certainly lifts the spirit when there is still uncertainty and devastation in the world.  Nature is very resilient and it brings so much joy and hope.

I am very pleased that so many of you have visited the Club in the past two months and we now have 62 members and hopefully more to join. It is lovely to see you and have a chat and catch up. This month we enjoyed Lesley Sturdy’s last demonstration to our/her club and she certainly made it a special one. We went around the world and her designs showed her wide range of skills and knowledge. She really gave us a treat with beautiful flowers and foliage. If any of you took photos, Lesley would like to have a record of her demonstration so please send them to me.

On 7th April we welcome Barbara Collins to our Club, she is an experienced and excellent demonstrator.   Her title is  ‘Brighter Days are Coming ‘ – most appropriate!

5th May is our Open Evening with a National Demonstrator – Tony Brown from Rugby with ‘For the Love of Flowers’.  Tickets are £6 for members and £10 for visitors and will be available at our next meeting.

Our Sapphire Anniversary 45 + 1  will take place on Thursday 9th June 6pm for 6.30pm. This will be a special evening for members only including a cold buffet and an evening of flowers and reminiscing over 45 years.  Please sign for a ticket at the next two meetings.  We would like everyone to wear something blue.
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We voted at our meeting on 3 March for our 2022 charity and it was decided to support the Central Bedfordshire Women’s Refuge. The Charity stall is the main source of income so if you are able to contribute any good pre-loved  items and helping Jean it would be appreciated.

Plant Stall at Clophill Fete 14th May.  We will be having a stall at this community event and would like to have donations of plants and help on the day. The profits will go to the Charity fund.

NAFAS news 
Area Members Day will be held on 27th April at Spotlight, Broxbourne. There will be an illustrated talk in the morning by Helen Chambers about British grown flowers, followed by a really good buffet lunch and a demonstration by Alan Beatty from N. Ireland in the afternoon. It will be a super day – tickets are £28 and you can book a place at the April meeting.

Refresher Day for Competitors and Judges 12th May at  Sundon Park Baptist Church £10 . This is a day for anyone interested in Show work – either virtual or actual. Lots of ideas and advice on entering shows.  Details at the Club.

Living Crafts at Hatfield House 5th-8th May is an excellent show to visit and NAFAS Home Counties will be holding workshops on each day.

There is also the Flower Show at Hylands House on 20th–22nd May and the theme for the competitions is  'Alice in Wonderland'. If you would like a schedule please contact me.  

Nearer to home, Houghton Conquest Garden Club are holding their Spring Show on 2nd April and it would be lovely if you would enter –  Contact Linda Payne  on [email protected] for details.

There is also a residential weekend in Leicester ‘Together Again’ in September. All details are in The Flower Arranger and on the NAFAS website.  There is a Virtual National Show 2022 - ‘Chasing Rainbows’ in June. Schedules are available next month at the Club or give me a call. Applications for a place need to be in between 23rd-30th April.   All you need to do is photograph your design and send it in.
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There is so much happening I can hardly get it all into one message so please if you want any more information on any of the above events,  do contact me.

           With my very best wishes                   
Carolyn