January 22nd, 2024

22 January 2024

To all my friends at Clophill & District Flower Club - January 2024 Newsletter

Happy New Year and I hope that 2024 for you will be peaceful, healthy and full of flowers and good friends. We have an excellent programme of demonstrations planned throughout the year, as well as the opportunity for all members to attend other meetings in the Area.

In January we held the AGM when we reviewed the past successful year and discussed the coming year.   In 2023 we had 84 members and many visitors during the year.   Our classes have been very well attended and the students produced some amazing designs, as well as having a very social night out.   Our funds are good due to a large membership and additional money from wedding flowers, the classes and the sales table. The Charity table raised £700, that will be presented to Noah Enterprises, Luton to help the homeless.
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Three members of the Committee retired – Ann Dowding after 40 years, Joan Tarmu after 30 years and Ann Armitage after 20 years.   Ann and Joan were presented with plants and received our grateful thanks for all their hard work on behalf of the Club.   Ann Armitage has moved to live with her daughter in Suffolk.

​I am so pleased that we have three new Committee members – Karen Harwood, Marion Wildman and Julie Abrahams. Karen will run the sales table (as Jan is also retiring), Julie will run the charity sales table, assisted by Jean Tipping and Marion will supervise the refreshments but will need members to volunteer to help.    Please sign up and remember to bring a mug to the meeting to save the washing up!

Subscriptions for 2024 will be due in February. They will remain the same as last year £45 – this includes the NAFAS affiliation fee. It will be possible for payments to be made over 3 months at £15 a month if this is easier. Bank transfers, cash and cheques are accepted . Visitors fees will remain the same at £7.

The Charity table will continue with a different theme each month. This has been popular and successful - in February the theme will be books and jigsaws.   Everyone will have the opportunity to vote on 1 February for the Charity we will support in 2024. We have had several nominations that are all based on personal health interests.

Joan has booked an excellent programme for 2024.   Most of the demonstrators are new to our Club and all details are on this site on the Programme page.
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We are planning to introduce holding a quarterly Club Competition to encourage members to gain confidence in competing and entering local shows.  There will be no obligation or pressure – just the opportunity to show off our skills and talents and it will not be formally judged. The first one will be in April, more about that later.  I look forward to seeing you on 1 February when we have Shirley Henderson with her demonstration entitled ‘In the Frame’.  In the meantime stay warm and safe.

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