​We were delighted to welcome back Theresa Rodrigues for our November meeting with her intriguing title ‘Gardens by the Bay’.   We were to imagine a 12-hour flight to a tropical island, hot temperatures and driving to an iconic hotel that featured in the BBC Two programme ‘Amazing Hotels’.   Singapore was our destination which brought back very fond memories for me as I had stayed at the hotel in 2014.

Theresa’s first arrangement was inspired by the hotel which is located along the Marina Bay waterfront and features three cascading towers topped by an extraordinary Sky Park, resembling a surfboard, complete with infinity pool! To depict this Theresa chose a horizontal design which was raised on top of a tall stand and into prearranged foliage she placed Irises, white Avalanche Roses and Coral sprayed silver to resemble the sky and water.

From the Sky Park you can get an excellent view of the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ which brings to life Singapore’s vision of creating a City in a garden. The three distinctive waterfront gardens span 101 acres and were designed with the underlying principle of sustainability. Theresa’s following four arrangements each focused on a particular garden. Inspired by the architecture of the Esplanade Theatres in the East Garden and a conscious effort to reduce the use of floral foam, Theresa had produced a 3D structure using bamboo and sticks. Into this she interwove flowers as if she were producing a hand tied bunch.







One of the key highlights of the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ is the grove of soaring, surreal structures known as Supertrees. These sustainable vertical gardens span 25 to 50 metres in height and house over 162,900 plants of over 200 species. Many of these trees have photovoltaic cells in their canopies to harvest solar energy.  This was to be the inspiration for Theresa’s final design. Known for her creativity she produced her own version of a Supertree, a tree trunk covered with moss into which she had incorporated succulent plants.  She then produced an all-round arrangement on the top followed by lights twisted around the trunk.
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​The six arrangements were very individual with excellent & varied choice of flowers and foliage, including Calla Lilies, Cymbidium Orchids, Strelitzia’s, Protea Pincushion, Cock’s Comb, Ginger, Gerbera & Roses.

A very interesting demonstration ending with a beautiful display of arrangements. 

Note for your diary:     Our Annual General Meeting will be held in Clophill Village Hall Committee Room
at 7.30pm on 5 January 2023.   All are welcome.

​I hope you enjoyed the demonstration by Gill McGregor.   I thought her designs were great and how she is able to keep talking, create and also instruct all at the same time is amazing. 

On 3 November we have Theresa Rodriques coming to demonstrate again - her title is ‘Gardens by the Bay’.
                                                                 
On 1 December our demonstrator is Lee Berrill who is very artistic and creative.  His title is 'Made for Xmas'.   Tickets are £6 for members and £10 for visitors and will be available at the next meeting and I know they are selling very well. 
There will be festive refreshments and a special sales table

The Charity Table was popular at the last meeting with scarves and jewellery.
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**Bags will be the focus in November. If you have any unwanted bags – handbags, toilet bags or even larger bags that you think will tempt others please bring them to this meeting – on a ‘Sale or Return’ basis. So that if they are sold the money will go to our Charity fund but if they are not sold please take them home again!  This will ensure a good turnover of items.

**In December we will feature Anything Christmas.

We are holding a Christmas Wreath Workshop on 29 November – just in time for Advent.
The cost of £35 will include all the materials to make a natural wreath using spruce, seasonal foliage, dried fruits, cones, wires, tuition and refreshments.
The venue is St Mary’s Church, Clophill 10 am – 12 noon.
Please contact me if you are interested, either directly or via the contact tab on this site

Home Counties Area of NAFAS are holding another virtual competition before Christmas entitled ‘The Festive Season’.
This can be any style of arrangement – a table design, a festive wreath, a contemporary arrangement or something interpretative. The advantage of this type of competition is that you can do it at your leisure, photograph it and then email it to the Area media Officer. I am attaching all the details with this newsletter.

Area AGM/Lunch and Demonstration is being held on 16 November at Spotlight Theatre in Broxbourne.  Doors open at 10am and there will be stalls to browse before a short AGM at 11am. This will be followed by a hot two course buffet lunch and then a demonstration by Jacqui Arnold (National Demonstrator) with her title ‘Jingle all the Way’.
​This should be a lovely day. Tickets are still available at £36 and can be ordered at our Club and we will try to organise transport if you would like to come.

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Home Counties Area of NAFAS
Another exciting virtual competition for members of Home Counties

Entries should be emailed to Rekha Naidoo (Media Officer) to the email address below
from Monday 21 November to Monday 5 December

The photographs will be collated into a file and sent numbered anonymously to Area Judges.
 The winners will be informed, and the results will be published on the Area website.

Title: ‘The Festive Season’
An exhibit. Fresh plant material should predominate but artificial material is permitted.
Size 60cm x 60cm x 90 cm height
The design should be photographed with a plain background.

Please email to [email protected]  by 7 December
using The Festive Season as the subject
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Please include your name, telephone number and your Flower Club

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Looking forward to seeing you again,
With my best wishes,       
Carolyn         
   Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club




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