​Our meeting on October 4th was advertised as ‘A practical evening with a difference’ which was code for a workshop/ dabble evening. These crafty evenings have become a very popular, sociable and enjoyable fixture on our calendar and over 40 members attended.
 
Our chairman, Carolyn Cranswick, introduced the evening and explained that it was an opportunity to learn new creative skills. Five different practical activities had been organised by the committee, supported by two members. The evening consisted of card-making, decorative bows for flower arrangements or parcels, corsages/brooch making, wrist corsages made using manipulated wire.

After demonstrations by the activity leaders, each group settled down in earnest to an evening of chat and creativity.   All the resources were supplied by the club and many participants managed to complete two, if not three, of the activities. The results were very impressive and many were surprised to find that they had hidden talents.
 
Dates for your diary:
6th December: an open evening with another favourite. National demonstrator John Chennell returns and closes the year with ‘The Magic of Christmas’.  Why not join us for a relaxing and entertaining evening whilst gaining some ideas for your own Christmas decorations.
Tickets: £6 members, £10 visitors, including mulled wine (or soft drink) & mince pies, are available from Committee Members or Gillian Hill (01525 860539).
Venue: Clophill Village Hall                        
​Time: doors open at 6.45pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm
 
3rd January 2019: our Annual General Meeting will be held in Clophill Village Hall Committee Room at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Our members and visitors enjoyed a fabulous evening on November 1st at a demonstration by Lee Berrill entitled “All that glitters…..”.    Lee from Northamptonshire said it would be a light-hearted look at Christmas.  He featured baubles in many of his arrangements and confessed that he uses so many each Christmas that he buys them in bulk once Christmas is over each year when they are greatly reduced in price.  He had made a huge bauble out of hula hoops and mesh fabric into which he arranged red gerbera, anthuriums and carnations.

He explained that his interest in flowers started from having to go with his mother to a demonstration because his father was not home in time to baby sit!  After school he attended a City & Guilds College in Wales where he studied floristry, botany and other subjects before working at a florist in Luton.  He now has his own business in Earls Barton.

As well as buying baubles in the sales, he advised that electrician’s cable ties are excellent for securing mechanics and that friends who have gardens with lots of foliage which he can cut are invaluable. His dog walking neighbour collects pine cones for him – he used over 400 in his next arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums and roses.

The design “Three Kings” was in rich purple and red carnations and gerbera with purple ostrich feathers. More baubles came next with orange flowers before a more traditional “winter” arrangement featuring cones, white lisianthus and lilies with blue cedar sprays.

​Finally, “Music”- three very colourful arrangements using holly, ivy and red & burgundy flowers, one on a drum, another around a violin and the final one with a harp – a spectacular end to a very special evening.