At last, the Spring is showing signs of coming with lots of buds and Spring bulbs appearing in our gardens. When I walked in the woods near Shefford there were carpets of snowdrops and catkins on the trees and the sun was even shining!
​
We had a very good audience at our last Club meeting and I think everyone enjoyed the demonstration by Rachael Borenkova. She was well organised, her designs were varied and there were 14 raffle prizes, so many ladies went home with some lovely flowers. 


​At the meeting I announced that the Club had raised £700 for the local Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and that a cheque will be presented to a representative from the MNDA at our next meeting.   I have invited the family of one of our members who is suffering from this dreadful illness to come to the meeting too.

On 6th March we have Theresa Rodrigues coming to entertain us with ‘Anything Goes’ – not the song, but the title of her demonstration!

If you didn’t manage to come in February you will have the opportunity to vote for the charity for 2025, but we are having a another collection of items for Baby Basics at this meeting. Baby Basics is a local charity that supports disadvantaged new mothers with vital equipment and clothes. We would like donations of new or second-hand items, both large and small . They always appreciate hand knitted items.

Also, please remember to bring a mug for your tea/coffee for your refreshments at the meeting.

Area Member’s Day is on 29th April at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead when the speaker in the morning is Simone Squire and the National Demonstrator is Alison Penno with ‘Floral Idols’. There will be a buffet lunch and tickets are £25. This should be an excellent day and the venue is easy to get to and the parking is good.
​
Club Subscriptions can still be paid at our March and April meetings, either by cash, cheque or BACS.  We have an excellent programme for this year giving you great value for money.

        See you soon.  With my best wishes,
Carolyn         

Wishing you a very healthy and peaceful New Year full of fun, friendship and flowers.
I hope you had a lovely Christmas with friends and family.  It seems a while ago as all our decorations have come down and the house looks quite bare. I must go out a buy some tulips and bring the hope of Spring.
​
We had an excellent Christmas demonstration by Lucy Ellis and I hope you enjoyed the evening if you were able to be there.  Lucy said what a really friendly and lively Club we are and how much she enjoyed visiting us.

We now look forward to our 2025 programme that Joan has booked for us. It is full of super demonstrations by some familiar demonstrators and some exciting new ones. One highlight will be in June when our own Doug Howard gives his Special Retirement Evening with ‘A Man for All Seasons’. Doug has been an area demonstrator for many years and has decided to ‘hang up his scissors’ with his last flourish!!

The first meeting of the year is on Thursday 9 January when we hold our Annual General Meeting.  This is a social meeting when we review the past year and our successes and then plan for 2025.  We always like to have suggestions from members on how to improve the Club so we welcome anyone who would like to come.

​The Treasurer will present the accounts and we will hear how much our charity stall has made for our 2024 charity:  Motor Neurone Disease association. We plan for it to go to the local branch as one of our members is really suffering with this horrible disease. Thank you to all who have supported us and to Julie and Jean who have organised the stall throughout the year.  We would like nominations for charities for 2025, so please let us know if you have a suggestion and we will ask members to vote at our February meeting.  Julie says the theme for the Charity stall is Unwanted Christmas Presents – make sure the person who gave it to you isn’t with you!!

On 6 February we have Rachael Borenkova – ‘Let’s go to the Flower Shop’.  Rachael is new to our club but has been highly recommended. 
​
Subscriptions are due again.  It is £45 – the same a last year – you can pay by Bank Transfer, cheque or cash. 
​As agreed previously, the committee will be prepared to accept the subscription in staged payments over three months if this is helpful for members.  

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

This week I returned from a super holiday with John on a road trip all around the North of Scotland. The scenery and landscapes were beautiful and we had lots of walks on silver beaches, along gushing rivers and through woods that were full of Autumn colours.  It was very relaxing - just what I needed!

Last Wednesday it was the Area Education Fun Day that eight of our members attended. It was a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. There was a competition class that was judges by the Area judges and also the attendees. Doug Howard came 1st; Linda O’Toole came second and Lesley Sturdy came 3rd.   I was very proud of them all!

Our next meeting is Thursday 7th November when we have Barbara Collins, one of our favourite demonstrators, with ‘Floral Moments’.  As we are now into Autumn it would be great if members brought a seasonal arrangement to create a display to inspire everyone with lots of different ideas, with the title ‘Autumn Glory’.  Please have a go!!  Our charity table will be ‘Anything Christmas’. 

Our Christmas Demonstration is on 5th December. Unfortunately, Katherine Kear is unable to come as she is having an operation on her hand so we have been lucky to book Lucy Ellis, another National Demonstrator from Wiltshire, who will be coming instead with ’The Colours of Christmas’.   I am sure it will be a super demonstration and the tickets are the same price and will be available at next week or from Gillian. There will be our usual delicious mince pies made by Joan and a glass of mulled wine.
​
The Area AGM/lunch/Demonstration is on Wednesday 13th November. It will be held at the Marford Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead from 10.30am.  This will be my last event as Area Chairman, as I hand over to Anne McPherson. I have really enjoyed the past 2 years and have made a lot of new friends in ‘the flower world’ of NAFAS.  There will be a buffet lunch and a demonstration by Margaret Rumens ‘Betwixt and Between’.  Tickets are £25, available from Celia Thompson.

The Flower Arranger magazine.  If you would like to order the NAFAS magazine that is always full of ideas, designs and news Kate will be taking orders/subscriptions next Thursday.  As a member of NAFAS, you can have it at a discounted price of £16.50 for 4 seasonal issues.
​
See you soon,         

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

There is easy access and parking.

Doors open 10am, AGM at 11 followed by a delicious buffet lunch. 
There will  be a seating plan and we will be seated at decorated tables. 

In the afternoon there will be a demonstration by National Demonstrator
Margaret Rumens 
entitled  ​"Betwixt and Between"

Stalls to browse and tea/coffee and drinks available throughout the day.

Tickets £25 available through the Club or from Celia Thompson our Area Treasurer
**Please apply no later than 31 October**

Since our last meeting I have had a very busy time but I have enjoyed it all and I have survived!!

I would like to thank all our members who contributed to the Flower Festival 7th/8th September at St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. It was a super weekend and the Church looked great with 24 designs enhancing the features of the Church.  I was so pleased that so many of you came to stage designs both large and small. Ann S and I felt very proud of the arrangers that had attended our classes over the years and now their skills excelled. The festival was a celebration of the Anniversary and it attracted lots of visitors over the weekend.  All the flowers were sponsored by businesses and individuals and a profit of £1,600 was made to go towards the maintenance of the Church. It was lovely to see so many members coming to support us over the weekend. I think our fame is spreading!

​The following weekend we celebrated the wedding of my grand daughter Kate in Derbyshire. It was a very special family occasion that of course needed lots of flowers, so I was busy for two days. The colour scheme was purple, orange and lime green – quite different but effective.

There was a NAFAS Information Area with exhibits and programmes, posters and information about our Area Club. The Flower Arranger Officer was busy promoting the magazine and was giving free back copies that our members had donated. There were stewards there to tell the public about NAFAS and where their local Club meets. Hopefully, we have raised an awareness of NAFAS and we will gain new members at our Clubs.
 
We worked in partnership with St Mary’s Church, Hitchin by using their church and they organised the publicity, refreshments, programmes, stewarding and the wonderful music that entertained the 1,600 visitors throughout the weekend. The church members worked extremely hard for four days to take full advantage of the fundraising opportunity that we gave them. The Church has now informed us that they made a profit of over £16.000, that will help to improve the facilities in their beautiful church.  The agreement worked well as we wanted to design, stage and sponsor the cost of the flowers and the Church desperately needs funds.

 I really appreciated Ellie Meaking, NAFAS Director,  joining us at the Preview Evening on the Thursday and felt very proud showing her around the festival.  Kim Wilde also attended to officially open it. We had visitors from a wide area of the country, the photographer from The Flower Arranger, some National demonstrators and the local press, so hopefully the ‘Abundant Blessings’ will be remembered as a very happy occasion celebrating the skills and talents of the members of Home Counties Area of NAFAS.

At our Club meeting on Thursday 3rd, we are having a Dabble Evening. There will be 5 different activities for you to dabble at, as well as chatting to others. These evenings are always very social. Please come and just bring a pair of scissors. Everything else will be provided.  There will not be a charity table as there will be too much going on!
       
Education Fun Day on 23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 – 3pm. This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. Everyone is welcome.  Tickets are £20 for the day available from Celia.
        
​Tickets for our Christmas demonstration will also be available. £6 for members and £12 for visitors. We have Katherine Kear coming from Gloucester to celebrate ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.  It should be a great evening.

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

14 August 2024

As we don’t have a Club Meeting in August I am sending you my Newsletter to keep you all in touch with the Club. Also , it is so hot outside today I am trying to stay inside where it is a bit cooler – not a lot!!

​As usual I have been busy with NAFAS events. On 26th – 28th July I went to the ‘Highland Fling’’ in Glasgow, with
Ann Swain and Brenda London and about 150 NAFAS members from all over the UK and some from overseas.
It was the National President’s Weekend in a large hotel on the banks of the Clyde. We had a super time as it was
well organised with talks, dinners with entertainment afterwards and an excellent Scottish demonstration on
Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning the talk was about the life and career of Christian Dior – fascinating.
​Of course, there was time to chat to lots of people to share ideas and views that I also enjoyed.  

Houghton Conquest Autumn Show on Saturday 7th September. The classes give something for everyone.
1. "All About Orange" - an exhibit with orange being the predominant colour.
2. "Canned Creation" - an exhibit in a tin can, max overall height 30cm (12"), width 25cm (10"), depth 25cm (10"), foam free
3. "As you like it" - an exhibit using flowers from your garden or a bunch costing no more than £10 (include the receipt).
4. A foliage buttonhole.
Classes 2, 3 and 4 can be brought ready assembled.
1 and 3 will be staged within an area 51cm x 60cm (approx 20" x 23.5 "), height unlimited, against a brick wall.
2 and 4 will be staged on open tabling.
Further information available from the Secretary on 01234 740892 - [email protected]​



Area Flower Festival 19th – 22nd September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.
​‘Abundant Blessings’


​Home Counties Area are holding this big Flower Festival to showcase all the talents and skills we have and to promote our Clubs. There will be over 40 exhibits staged by Area Clubs and individuals and music in the Church throughout the weekend.  It will be a great event. 
See poster attached – please come to support your Area

​
​
​Education Fun Day 23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 - 3pm 
This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam- free mechanics, talks and practical activities
on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions.   Everyone is welcome.   Tickets are £20 for the day.

Our next meeting is 5th September with a demonstration by Wendy Goodliff – ‘A Stitch in Time’.
The Charity table theme is anything Handmade – crafts, materials, preserves, cookery

23 June 2024

​I would like to thank you all for supporting the Baby Basics charity at our last meeting. I have received a letter from Sue Ives the local organiser and she was overwhelmed by the amount of donations we gave her and assured me that they would all go to very needy mothers and babies.

I would also like to thank you for all the good wishes I received for my 80th birthday and also the beautiful bowl of orchids that I received from the Club. 
I had a wonderful weekend celebrating with my family and then a party for 60 with my extended family and special friends. Ironically I got 80 cards, two cakes and some lovely presents. Then John and I had a relaxing time in Guernsey for 5 days as it is one of my favourite places.
​​
I really enjoyed our June Meeting with Joanna Davis as she was such a friendly lady and her demonstration was very good. She informed us and entertained us with her Blooms and Tunes.

​​Flower Arranging Classes - Designs for Summer
Our classes have gone really well and the students have all excelled themselves again.

Our next meeting 4th July we have a change of demonstrator to our advertised one.
Jennifer Thompson is coming and her title is A Good Read. She has ben highly recommended so I am sure it will be another good evening.  Following on from our lovely Spring display of arrangements in April please get creative again and show us your ideas of ‘Summertime’ by creating an arrangement inspired by an aspect of Summer eg gardens, holidays, seaside summer cocktails or just sunshine. Please have a go!

Flower Festival 7th /8th September at St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. This will be a Festival of exhibits and displays enhanced with our flower arrangements. If you would like to be involved we have a viewing day on 2nd July 2-5pm and 5th July 2-5pm in St Mary’s Church, Clophill.  We need arrangers and ‘goffers’.

Area Flower Festival  19th – 22nd September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin  -  ‘Abundant Blessings’
Home Counties Area are holding this big Flower Festival to showcase all the talents and skills we have and to promote our Clubs. There will be over 40 exhibits and music in the Church throughout the weekend.  20 Clubs and many individuals are taking part and our Club team has one of the largest in front of the main altar. If you would like to be involved as a helper or a steward over the weekend, please let me know.

Education Fun Day  23rd October Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead 10 – 3pm. This will be a fun day with a demonstration by Gill McGregor on foam-free mechanics, talks and practical activities on many aspects of designing without foam and competitions. Everyone is welcome Tickets are £20 for the day.

With my best wishes,

​Carolyn

Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club

​We had a great evening at the Club in April with an excellent demonstration by Louisa Rigden. I was so pleased that lots of members brought a Spring design to create a fantastic display and lots of interest. As there was so much variety it would have been difficult to choose a personal favourite.   It is good to keep up our skills.

On 2 May we have an Open Evening with one of our favourite demonstrators – Lee Berrill, who wants us to ‘Remember When…’  Tickets are still available from Gillian.  It is advisable to reserve a ticket in advance either through Committee Members or through the Contact tab on this site. There will be no Charity Table as it is always a busy evening but Karen is bringing lots of plants for sale.

We will be holding a Plant Stall at the Village Fete on 11 May in aid of our charity for MND Association.   If you have any plants, seedlings or cuttings that you are willing to donate we would be very grateful and you can bring them to the May meeting,  deliver them to a committee member or to the Church on the day.

**Flower Arranging Classes - Designs for Summer**
During this 4-week course you will celebrate the beautiful flowers and foliage that grow in summer. Learn the  knowledge and skills needed to make beautiful designs that last.                                     

What will we cover?

• Creating different designs both modern and traditional. Using alternative mediums for sustainability within flower arranging.
• Plants to grow in your garden for flower arranging.
• How to place your design for maximum impact and longevity.
• The skills you need to select flowers, foliage and materials for your arrangements.

                
​               23rd May  - Carolyn         30th May   -   Ann S.         20th June -    Carolyn       27th June  -  Ann S
                                    £22 for 4 sessions     There will be registration forms available on 2nd May

On 6 June we have Joanna Davis demonstrating with her title: 'Blooms and Tunes'. 
​At that meeting we are planning to collect together our donations to Baby Basics, a charity which helps disadvantaged young mothers.  Please see these suggestions of suitable donations:
​Items appreciated -
Prams, pushchairs, high chairs, baby chairs
Moses baskets, baths
Baby mats, play mats
All toiletries for a newborn to age 5/6 years
Baby and adult toiletries, plus unopened gift sets
Size 12”, 14” jumpers, cardigans – white/pastel
Baby blankets
Clothes for 2-5 years, including new pairs of knickers and socks
Used clothing for children – birth to 5/6 years
Used towels/ bedding. All sizes and colours
Cold water steriliser vessels

Flower Festival 7/8 September St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. This will be a Festival of exhibits and displays enhanced with our flower arrangements. If you would like to be involved please sign the list at our next meeting – we need arrangers and ‘goffers’.

​Area Flower Festival  19 – 22 September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.  This is another date for your diary  

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

I have heard that the March Meeting went very well and Linda used a lot of beautiful flowers.  I am sorry I missed it and my thanks to all the Committee for keeping things running smoothly. It is amazing that Easter is nearly here and our next meeting is the following week. 

On 4th April the demonstration will be by Louisa Rigden ‘Regal Flowers’.  She comes from Coventry and has been highly recommended.   The Charity table next meeting will be Jewellery and Scarves and there will still be some Gift items left from last month.    We would like members to bring ‘A Spring design’ – any size, with or without foam. There will be no obligation or pressure – just the opportunity to show off our skills and talents and it will not be formally judged. We will have large tables to display them and I hope it will make a fantastic herald to Spring.
​
2nd May we have an Open Evening with one of our favourite demonstrators – Lee Berrill, who wants us to ‘Remember When…’  Tickets are available from Gillian Hill : Members £6 and visitors £12.
​There will be no Charity Table in May as it is always a busy evening. 

We will be holding a Plant Stall at the Village Fete on 11th May in aid of our charity for MND Association. If you have any plants, seedlings, cuttings that you are willing to donate we would be very grateful and you can bring them to the May meeting or deliver them to a committee member or to the Church on the day.
​
On 6th June we have Joanna Davis demonstrating. The Committee have decided to support Baby Basics, that is a local charity supporting disadvantaged mothers with new babies and little children. They would like donations of baby clothes and equipment, new or second-hand to be given to them, as this was one of our nominated charities that we felt it should be supported at the June meeting.   I hope you agree.

Area Member’s Day 17th April at Spotlight, Broxbourne. A super day with a talk in the morning by Maria Pennington on jewellery with pearls,  A buffet lunch and then a demonstration by Annette Urquhart (National Demonstrator) ‘ The Sound of Rhubarb’  - I am interested to see what this is all about!!
​Tickets are £28 and can be booked at the Club – see Gillian Hill and transport can be organised.

Home Counties Area of NAFAS - The Malvern / Chelsea Competition
Area Competition to compete at Malvern Autumn Flower Show  which gives the opportunity to compete at RHS Malvern and then Chelsea in 2025.
Have you  ever wanted to be an exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower Show with all expenses paid?
Now is your opportunity!
We want to find new talent within our NAFAS membership. This Competition is open to all NAFAS members who HAVE NOT previously competed at RHS Chelsea, either as an individual or with another.
We are holding our Area  Elimination Competition on Monday 17th  June at the Whitehill Centre, Welwyn
Title  ‘Shaped by Nature'
**See the full information at the Club meetings in April and May or contact Carolyn**

Flower Festival 7th/8th September at St Mary’s Church Clophill to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Church. This will be a Festival of exhibits and displays enhanced with our flower arrangements.   Please put it in your diary and I will be asking for members to volunteer to help with the arrangements. There will be sponsorship to cover the cost of the flowers.
​
Area Flower Festival  19th – 22nd September at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.  This is another date for your diary  

With my best wishes              
 Carolyn             
Chairman of Clophill & District Flower Club
                                              Wishing you all a very Happy Easter                                                 ​

29 February 2024

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

It was good to see so many members and visitors at our February meeting. It was a busy evening as subscriptions were due, the Charity table as popular and there were lots of notices and things to organise. I was disappointed with the demonstration, so hopefully the next one will be of the standard that we expect.

Unfortunately, I am unable to be at the next meeting as I have to visit another Area Club in my capacity of Area Chairman. We have an excellent Committee who I know will cover for me very well and everything will run smoothly as usual!    I know where I would rather be!     
​                                      
Subscriptions for 2024 are due, if you missed last month. 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 and cheques are accepted . Visitors fees will remain the same at £7.

Our Charity Table

​It was lovely to welcome Gill Dimiry from Noah Enterprises and present her with a cheque for £700 from our charity fund for 2023.


We voted for the charity for 2024 and it was a majority vote for Motor Neurone Disease Association.   All the charities were worthy but we do have a member who has been diagnosed recently with this horrible disease.

​The Charity table next meeting will be All About Gifts – cards, bags, paper, unwanted new gifts . If you make cards and would like to sell some and give the charity a donation that would be appreciated.

​ 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 when it will be a simple Spring design – any size, with or without foam - these designs may give you some ideas.

Area Member’s Day 17th April at Spotlight, Broxbourne.
A super day with a talk in the morning by Maria Pennington on jewellery with pearls.   A buffet lunch and then a demonstration by Annette Urquhart (National Demonstrator) ‘ The Sound of Rhubarb’  - I am interested to see what this is all about!!
Tickets are £28 and can be booked at the Club – see Gillian Hill and transport can be organised.​

Looking ahead to our next meetings:
7th March  Linda Seabrook – ‘The Welsh Highwayman’
4th April  Louisa Rigden  - ‘Regal Flowers'

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