I was so excited to be invited to arrange flowers in Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service on 13th March, having missed an opportunity last year due to a service being cancelled.    I asked Ann Swain who is Vice Chairman of Clophill & District Club to come and work alongside me to create two matching designs at the High Altar. Ann and I have arranged together many times and it required co-operation to make the pedestals reflect one another.
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We went on Saturday 11th March with our scissors and foliage. Fortunately, Ann’s husband David took us and also carried the buckets and bags - and swept up after us!    The Abbey was closed to the public as the preparations were taking place for the service. The chandeliers were being polished, the BBC were setting up their equipment and various groups were rehearsing and 6 NAFAS ladies were arranging the flowers. The excitement was growing!

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​We had a large amount of flowers and foliage in white, gold and purple to create a traditional pedestal 9-10’ high with no step ladders, just lots of reaching and stepping back to inspect and compare. It was a challenge to keep the shape and place all the stems into the foam.   We were very pleased with the results.

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​We received invitations to attend the service and were told we would be sitting in the South transept behind HM The King and members of the Royal family.    We were just round the corner but I was able to look across and see them arrive and then the back of the ladies' hats!  

We were pleased to have a large screen in front of us so that we could watch all the service at close hand. It was a multi-cultural, multi-faith service with an accent on youth and the theme was ‘Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’.  







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There was a very friendly atmosphere within the Abbey and a sense of occasion and excitement. 2,000 people from all parts of the Commonwealth, schools and organisations, government and dignitaries. We both felt very proud when we saw our designs featured on the television screens, particularly when all the religious leaders stood in front of them. It was a privilege and honour to be part of such a special day. 
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We had travelled to Westminster Abbey by train and taxi, stopping for a lovely lunch before going to join the queue to get through the high security. The bells were pealing as we left and went to find a taxi back to the station.   We had much to reflect on as we headed home and all our family and friends had watched the service on the television but we were lucky as WE WERE THERE!!       

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Our Area Member’s Day is on 19th April at Spotlight. In the morning Katherine Kear (National Chairman) is giving a talk and will also be happy to answer questions, There will be a buffet lunch and several stalls. The demonstration in the afternoon will be by Lucy Ellis entitled ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’. It is good that the stage backdrop has little lights like diamonds!  The tickets are £28 and transport can be arranged if you need it. Please come for a very enjoyable day.

The National Show is being held on 12th and 13th May in Gloucester Cathedral.   Details are on the NAFAS website.

Our next meeting 13th April      ‘Our very own Doug Howard ‘  with a demonstration entitled ‘Nature’s Angels’. 
It should be another excellent evening.       Please note the later date due to Easter

Thursday 4th May is our Spring Open Meeting with David Thomson demonstrating ‘This, That and The Other’.  Tickets are available £6 for members and £10 for visitors available from committee members or via our Contact tab on this site.

Our Charity table in March was vases and containers which made an amazing £96.50 for our 2023 Charity  - Noah Enterprises in Luton - who provide support for the homeless. The theme for the Charity table ​in April will be cards and crafts – anything new and handmade.    In May we will have plants and seedlings. 

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