Member’s Day in late April was enjoyed by 140 members and it was lovely a group of our members attended.
Katherine Kear, our National Chairman began by answering questions from the floor and then gave an excellent talk. The buffet was well presented with a good variety of savoury and sweet items. Lucy Ellis gave a demonstration all about diamonds with some beautiful designs.

On 12 May I went to the National Competitions at Gloucester Cathedral with 3 friends from the Club. It was a great weekend in a super location. On Friday evening I went to the Penno and Price demonstration that was very entertaining and the stage looked amazing at the end.  The Cathedral provided a beautiful venue with 18 classes that were very varied and reflected the history and fabric of the building.   There were 216 exhibits and the Show was of a high standard.  Rekha Naidoo and Theresa Rodrigues represented Home Counties in the Area Class ‘ On the Shoulder’s of Giants’. Their design was spectacular and gained a Commended Award, which was excellent as there were 14 in the class all of a high standard. Rekha is demonstrating to our Club in July and Theresa came last year.

Fiona Harrison gained a 1st prize in Class 12 ‘Celebrating Courage’ .



Fiona is coming to demonstrate to us in September – so we get the best!

​On 1 June we have David Wright coming to us for the first time to demonstrate ‘20/20 A Vision’.

The theme of the Charity Stall will be plants, cuttings and seedlings so if you have any donations, I am sure they will appeal to the members.  If there are any left we will take them to the Clophill Village Fete on 17th June where we annually have a Plant Stall in aid of our Charity, Noah Enterprises. Luton
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There is a Flower Festival and Fete at Flitwick 27th and 28th May.     Barton Village Show Sunday 23rd July. There is a Floral Art Section with 3 classes. All details are on the schedule that can be collected from the Club on Thursday or from Barton-le-Clay Parish Council. Please take the opportunity to enter a show and use your flower arranging skills

I hope to see you on 1st June.     With my best wishes
Carolyn

In May we held an Open Meeting when we have many visitors and members to come and enjoy watching a National Demonstrator who is given a large flower allowance so that we are treated to 7 large and exotic designs. There were 14 arrangements as raffle prizes so the lucky ones filled their cars with masses of flowers – it was a good thing they didn’t walk or come on a bus!!









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David Thomson from Chelmsford was our demonstrator and he was very flamboyant and entertaining. His designs were mainly monochrome as he like to use shades and tints of one colour in each arrangement so that everything harmonises.


His flowers were unusual, large and mainly exotic.  He used beautiful pink anthiriums that he wove into a large circular frame and them some orchids on another frame. These did not require floral foam as we are encouraged to use it more sparingly. 

​David created a large exotic design in a big pot and put in birds of paradise flowers and gerbera.

He placed sunflowers into a yellow container to make a really sunny design.

In a white design he used some rose lilies that were most unusual as they a double with frilly centres and no stamens to drop pollen that stains.

Everyone loved his last design that has several placements all in shades of lilac and purple and he received a standing ovation!

In June we have another gentleman from Essex coming to entertain us.  David Wright and his title is 20/20 A Vision,
so we will have to see what that brings!

Anyone is welcome to attend our meetings at the Village Hall on the 1st Thursday of each month  and they will receive
a warm welcome.
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On 17th June we will be holding a plant stall at the Village Fete at St Mary’s Church in aid of our charity
 for 2023 and we hope to have lots of plants, cuttings and seedlings. Any donations would be gratefully received.
 

Spring is here and we have a lot to look forward to in the next few months. I have seen lots of bunting and flags going up ready for the Coronation next Saturday. I am sure it will be an exciting spectacle and a day for many to remember. I am pleased that Ann and I went to Westminster Abbey in March as NAFAS haven’t been asked by the King to do the flowers as he has his own florist Shane Connolly who is organising them. We will be watching with interest!

I am looking forward to our Open Meeting on Thursday 4th May when we have David Thomson demonstrating ‘This, That and the Other! He is very entertaining and an excellent National Demonstrator. There are still some tickets left £6 for Members and £10 for visitors. If you haven’t already got a ticket please phone Gillian or me.  There will be the Sales table with plants but not a charity table this month.

1st June we have David Wright coming to us for the first time to demonstrate ‘20/20 Vision’

The National Show is being held on 12th and 13th May in Gloucester Cathedral. Details are on the NAFAS website.
We send our best wishes to Linda O’Toole who is entering and representing our Club. There are 4 people from Home Counties and I will be looking with great interest when I visit the Show for 2 days with some members from the Club.

There is a Flower Festival  at  St Peter & St Paul's Church Flitwick on 27th and 28th May. 

Barton Village Show  is on Sunday 23rd July . There is a Floral Art Section with 3 classes
       ‘A Walk through my Garden’ An exhibit using garden flowers or a bunch of flowers costing no more than £10
       ‘A Tribute to King Charles’ An exhibit
        ‘Tea for One’ An exhibit on a tea tray
All details are on the schedule that can be collected from the Club on Thursday or from Barton-le-Clay Parish Council. Please take the opportunity to enter a show and use your flower arranging skills. Some of our members entered the Houghton Conquest Spring Show and were very successful even some new members who have only just joined our classes and Club.
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Our popular flower arranging classes are still going well and full of eager ladies who produce some amazing designs. At the moment we are exploring Contrasts in line, form, colour, rhythm and texture. It is also a very social group who enjoy exchanging materials and ideas.

With my best wishes
Carolyn