Wellesbourne Flower Club
South & West Region
South Midlands National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies
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Wellesbourne Flower ClubSouth & West RegionSouth Midlands National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies |
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Wellesbourne Flower ClubWellesbourne Flower Club is a small but friendly village club which USUALLY meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Wellesbourne Village Hall at 7.30pm.We have a super mix of members ranging from novices to ladies with a huge wealth of experience.So there is something for everyone. We mainly have demonstrations where we can sit back and watch the experts in action. This is followed by tea and biscuits, a chat and then a raffle draw where anyone stands a chance (as long as you have bought a ticket of course!) of taking home one of the fantastic arrangements from the evening’s demonstration. Occasionally we have a talkor a trip to a local garden of interest or a hands-on workshop where, under guidance you can have a go at something new and then take home the fruits of your labours. Below is a copy of our current programme, so please come along and have a look at what we do
Catherine Wickens ‘Thanks for the Bunch’ - June 2010This month our demonstrator was Catherine Wickens. Catherine is a committee member of our club she is also a very talented flower arranger. The challenge that Catherine had was to arrange bunches of supermarket flowers, well although Catherine took it all in her stride there were a number of complications. Firstly, she could not plan far in advance as the arrangements would depend upon what flowers the supermarkets actually had in stock, so no planning until the day before. Also what do you do with the mixed bunch where there is always the odd gerbera or single rose amongst the mixture? So armed with her bunches (still in cellophane) and some foliage from her garden she set about creating eight wonderful arrangements for us to enjoy. There were no named varieties and many of the flowers had shorter and thinner stems than it is usual to demonstrate with. The arrangements varied from the very simple, a small square vase with only golden rod and yellow roses, a traditional triangle using white chrysanthemums and peachy germinas and an unopened lily stem to a trug of summer flowers. Catherine also completed some modern design with a very spectacular green and white sputnik arrangement which contained a large number of limes, but as you can buy them at the supermarket they were allowed as were the red chillies in the red carnation display. Catherine certainly gave us a very enjoyable evening. So the next time some kind person presents us with a bunch of supermarket flowers rather than simply popping them into a vase we will have no excuse but to use some of the interesting ideas that Catherine gave us. Oh, and what did she do with that odd rose, well if you look at the red and cream design you can see it beautifully nestling in the front as if it was specially purchased for the job.
Wellesbourne Flower Club - May 2010Gillian Hawtin from 'Flower Thyme'We welcomed Gillian Hawtin, a florist and the owner of 'Flower Thyme' in Kineton. Gillian who was due to visit us in November kindly swapped at short notice as our original demonstrator for May was in hospital. Gillian demonstrated four lovely arrangements. The first was a beautiful white and green hand tied bouquet, which she said was then most requested design at her shop. It consisted of chrysanthemums, veronica, flocks, ruscus and mini gerberas. When Gillian finished hand tying she showed us how to make a cellophane water bag and the cardboard display boxes that she uses with a clever flap at the back to check the water level. Next was a pink basket arrangement using aqua roses, lisianthus, September flower, leather leaf and eucalyptus. The last two arrangements were both using glass containers. The first was using an unusual shaped vase which Gillian filled with just two flowers, an Anastasia chrysanthemum and an agapanthus, to create an impact. Lastly Gillian used a round goldfish bowl with three sunflowers and twirled flexi grass to make a quick but effective display.
Wellesbourne Flower Club April 2010Julia Mitchell - Blossom Thyme - A Host of Spring DesignsOn a lovely Spring evening we welcomed Julia Mitchell who runs her own flower business, Distinctive Floral Design, specialising in wedding and event flowers. Julia was among the top floral designers to demonstrate at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last summer and has demonstrated on BBC Gardener’s World Live . Julia demonstrated seven original, beautiful designs during the evening, informing us of aspects of her work and the wonderful venues in which she has arranged wedding flowers. She explained techniques such as plaiting phormium leaves and how to make aspidistra roses and moss balls as she worked. We all agreed it had been a super evening and would love Julia to visit us again soon to demonstrate some more of her innovative designs.
Wellesbourne Flower Club March 2010Members of Wellesbourne Flower Club enjoyed 'An Introduction to Pressed Flowers' by Margherita Dove, a member of the Pressed Flower Guild. Margherita described the methods by which she collects and dries flowers for pressing and the tools and equipment needed. Members then had the opportunity to make a pressed flower greetings card with Margherita's help and guidance. Everyone was thrilled that their first attempts looked so pleasing and many commented that the activity was very therapeutic. Pippa , our chair thanked Margherita for a very different but thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Wellesbourne Flower Club February 2010It's a Mystery - Ann PerkinsTwenty members braved a chilly evening to welcome Ann Perkins, a trained florist from Southam, to the club. Ann completed four compact arrangements suitable for the home. She used garden foliage; pussy willow, euonymus, hebe and bergenia and easily obtained flowers; carnations, tulips, irises, spray carnations and spray roses. She offered members suggestions as to how they could adapt her arrangements using different flowers according to the season. As is usual in Wellesbourne, Ann's attractive flower designs were raffled at the end of her demonstration.
Dupe Adeoye - Flowers from the CathedralDupé Adeoye, who owns a florist shop called Faith and Flowers, visited Wellesbourne Flower Club for the January meeting to talk about her voluntary role as leader of the Flower Guild of Coventry Cathedral. She told members, ‘the job just landed on me, it wasn’t planned, I was volunteered!’ She accepted the role for a trial period of a month but six years later is still responsible for the floral displays which add to the beauty of the cathedral. Ably assisted by Mia, Dupé demonstrated a large pedestal arrangement, explaining the principles of arranging flowers for such a huge environment. She described which flowers, foliage and colours achieve the greatest impact and how it was vital that the mechanics were very secure as arrangements are moved to suit the cathedral's various activities. Dupé also completed two basket arrangements which she kindly donated to the raffle. Judith Stanton thanked Dupé and Mia on behalf on the Club for an entertaining and informative evening.
Vanessa Higgins, ‘Nearly There! December 2009Wellesbourne village hall was packed with members and visitors for our Christmas demonstration by Vanessa Higgins ably supported by her helper, Helen Hunter. Vanessa looked splendid wearing a wedding outfit she had made herself, as she demonstrated five original arrangements, First she arranged white amaryllis, chrysanthemums and carnations supported by blue spruce and ivy on tree branches to create Winter Wonderland. Shopping for Christmas inspired the next arrangement in which Vanessa pinned leaves on a handbag shape. Vanessa had two examples she had made previously to show us this idea was very versatile. A huge wine glass was the container for ‘Cheers!’ the third arrangement demonstrated. Flowers and foliage were white, purple and silver which made one member suggest this ‘cocktail’ should be named ‘Purple Peril’! Vanessa then told us her next Christmas arrangement inspired by goose for Christmas lunch was called ‘The goose that laid the golden egg’. Her interpretation of the egg was a splendid composition of gold flowers; sunflowers, mini gerberas and roses encased in golden leaves. ‘Bells ringing in the New Year’ was a huge traditional red and green display in an urn. With red amaryllis, palms, bells of Ireland, variegated holly, shamrock chrysanthemums and red chrysanthemums, carnations and antirrhinums, the arrangement was a stunning finale to a very enjoyable and entertaining evening. Her enthusiasm for flower arranging was evident; as well as letting us into her secret tips for arrangers, Vanessa entertained us with tales of her son’s recent wedding and her forthcoming ruby anniversary. After the demonstration everyone enjoyed free refreshments, which included Christmas delicacies, provided by the committee, before the raffle was drawn and the lucky winners took home Vanessa’s beautiful arrangements. Coming out of the hall after a Christmassy meeting into the dark night with Wellesbourne’s Christmas Lights sparkling, it certainly got us into the seasonal spirit.
Wellesbourne Flower Club - November 09Wellesbourne Flower Club was fortunate to have Jane Possart, a florist from Southam and an Area Demonstrator, visit for their November meeting at short notice. Her theme was Cocktail Hour inspired by beautiful cocktail glass containers. She delighted members with five different arrangements all with cocktail titles. Pink Lady in a huge martini glass with pink organza looked stunning with pink roses and antirrhinums in a base of curled aspidistra leaves and palms. Next was a Manhattan. This tall design had bamboo covered with steel grass for its base. Hypericum, orange carnations and gerberas and green chrysanthemums were arranged formally around this base. A froth of fern, bear grass with yellow lilies and gerberas and white gypsophila was Sharon’s Pina Colada. In honour of NAFAS Golden Anniversary, Sharon‘s next arrangement was a Champagne Fountain. She did reassure us that the glasses were plastic glued securely onto the mechanics. Using golden angel hair in the glasses and green oasis Sharon created a fountain effect by using Crystal Blush canna lilies and white roses called Avalanche. For her final arrangement Sharon’s Tequila Sunrise was a striking design of pink, reds and orange using lucedendrums, alstroemerias, roses and lilies.
August 2009 - ‘Take A Leaf’ with Alwyn StanleyIn August, Wellesbourne Flower Club welcomed Alwyn Stanley to demonstrate ‘Take a Leaf’. Alwyn, an Area Demonstrator, has studied Ikebana for many years and she started her demonstration by giving members and visitors a fascinating insight into the history of this art form, whose origins reach as far back as the 6th century. There are many different schools of Ikebana and Alwyn explained her school was based on space, form and simplicity, concentrating on the beauty of the plant material and their relationship with each other and the container. For her first design, she gave details of the foliage depicting heaven, man and earth and the need for them to be placed at precise angles in the arrangement. Seven original designs were demonstrated which gave us a clear glimpse into this exacting area of flower arranging. The containers were inspired by the East and Alwyn described her mechanics and the use of conifer leaves to hold stems in place. As usual, the beautiful arrangements were raffled and the lucky winners took home flowers and foliage to try to recreate Alwyn’s designs.
Flaming June with Valerie Floral Artist of WarwickOn a chilly June evening, the members of Wellesbourne Flower Club were expecting a demonstration untitled ‘Flaming June’. Unfortunately, the demonstrator that was booked was unable to attend, but luckily for us, Valerie from Valerie Floral Artist in West Street in Warwick kindly stepped in at short notice and took on the promised title. Valerie said her intention was to create beautiful arrangements suitable for our homes and to show members and guests what was possible with just a few flowers. We started with a ‘Guess the name of the specimen’. Valerie passed around a long stem with attractive umbrella type flowers, which we were told was parsnip. She demonstrated six lovely arrangements in vibrant colours of predominately red, orange and yellow, which Valerie said were quite difficult to obtain in June. She used Sweet Williams, paeonies, spray chrysanthemums and carnations as well as gerberas, gladioli, iris and orchids whilst some of the foliage used was trailing ivy, fern, mahonia and of course parsnip! Whilst demonstrating, Valerie told us snippets of information and tales from her experience of working in her florist’s shop for over twenty five years. Pippa, our chairman said these ‘pearls of wisdom’ were very welcome. We raffle demonstrators’ arrangements and Valerie kindly donated her containers too, so this month’s lucky winners went home with completed creations. The weather could not be described as ‘Flaming June’ but Valerie’s colourful attractive arrangements certainly sent us home in a sunny and warm disposition.
Jane Evans - Wedding FlowersOn May 6th, Wellesbourne Flower Club welcomed Jane Evans from Inspired Wedding Flowers in Kenilworth to demonstrate ‘Wedding Showers’. Jane is an international award winning florist, with over ten years experience in wedding floristry. She arranges all aspects of wedding flowers. Jane demonstrated a wealth of stunning arrangements for weddings including beautiful bouquets and table arrangements. She told members that wedding flowers needed to create an impact and a ‘wow’ factor and she often used just one flower type to achieve this. She showed us a spectacular bouquet and buttonhole she had made using silver wire and chandelier crystals. A black and white themed wedding used white gerberas with black ‘eyes’ cleverly using a black feather boa to set the flowers off in the bouquet and black voile studded with crystals as an arrangement. When you listen to Jane and see her arrangements it is obvious she is passionate about both her work and attention to detail in her designs. Members and visitors were given many useful flower arranging tips along with an insight into planning wedding flowers with brides. Jane’s literature says her designs are inspirational, from the traditional to the simply outrageous! Her designs certainly wowed us; we all agreed it had been an excellent evening.
April meeting - The Magic of Theatre - Marilyn AtkinsonShe did six creative designs which were raffled along with a hand tied bouquet. We were introduced to 'the theatre' by a pedestal arrangement which might be situated in a theatre foyer. For this Marilyn used pink lilies, lilac and Singapore orchids with phormium, fatshedera leaves and ivy for the foliage. A ballerina, who Marilyn said it was every little girl’s dream to become, was next. The ‘underskirt was white frothy gypsophia with pink carnations, lilies and roses cascading over the top The third design had a fantastic gold boot for the container. Puss in Boots was created with stunning orange gerbera, tulips and roses. A colour scheme of orange, white and green led us into Ireland. Marilyn used green shamrock chrysanthemums, white lilies and orange gerbera to create a wonderful arrangement reminding us of great Irish playwrights and dramatists, such as George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. Henry VIII and Greensleeves were the next two arrangements. Marilyn told us of the persistent belief that Greensleeves was composed by Henry VIII for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn. Marilyn created Henry’s dramatic figure with blue and gold drapes topped with a plumed hat in the royal colours of purple and gold formed by iris and chrysanthemums. Greensleeves was a wonderful green arrangement with shamrock chrysanthemums and anthurriums, phormium leaves plaited with ribbon which were very effective and a host of fresh greenery. Watching these six beautiful arrangements being created along with Marilyn’s enthusiasm, her tales and tips made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Wellesbourne Flower Club - March 2009Dr.David Arthey both entertained and informed Wellesbourne Flower Club at their March meeting with his slides and talk entitled ‘Flowers of the Pyrenees’. He took members on a fascinating tour of the area showing us stunning scenery and beautiful plants. His knowledge of the Pyrenees and its flora together with his skilful photography made for a very interesting evening. JANE FOX - FLORAL INSPIRATIONJane Fox delighted Wellesbourne Flower Club at their February meeting held on Wednesday 18th, with her demonstration entitled ‘Floral Inspiration. Whilst creating her beautiful arrangements, Jane, an Area Demonstrator, explained the inspiration behind each of her designs along with keeping us entertained with interesting tales and anecdotes plus her knowledge of plant material. Her first design, inspired by her love of visiting stately homes especially Chatsworth House, was represented by an arrangement in an urn which included maroon twigs and swags, phormium and aspidistra leaves with pink lilies, carnations and orchids. An arrangement in a container shaped like a small table was next. Jane admitted that this was inspired by her love of a bargain. She purchased the container in the ‘Bargain Basement’ at her suppliers simply because it was cheap. Using willow twigs, rolled aspidistra leaves and hebe with beautiful creamy white roses, and green orchids, Jane told us how we could alter her basic design to suit different celebrations. A holiday in the Dominican Republic was the inspiration for her next arrangement. Using vibrant orange mini gerbera and red anthuriums, with lemon halves and silk butterflies all set in a structure of wooden masks gave the impression of being in the Caribbean. A wonderful romantic bride’s shower bouquet using white lisianthus and carnations, phormium and eucalyptus leaves with steel grass and crystal beads was inspired by Jane’s love of attending weddings. Jane’s favourite time of day is sunset which she depicted by an arrangement set in an enclosed structure of willow. The sunset colours of red and orange were represented by Jane’s flowers which included orange lilies. Her final arrangement which showed Jane’s love of going to the seaside was created using twisted tree roots and abalone shells. Jane used blue delphiniums, and agapanthus to represent the sea with pink roses the seashells. As usual, after Jane’s demonstration members enjoyed refreshments and the arrangements were raffled. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening which lived up to Jane’s title and which left members inspired to visit some of Jane’s favourite places and try some of her designs.
JUST US - ‘GOLDEN FANFARE’Pippa Phillips, our Chairman welcomed nineteen ladies, including Jean Myatt, our Area Chairman, who braved a cold, wet evening to attend the January meeting of Wellesbourne Flower Club entitled "Golden Fanfare". The purpose of this meeting was to commence our celebrations for NAFAS’s Golden Anniversary by a workshop where members completed ‘golden’ arrangements. Our aim was to spread a little ‘gold’ across Wellesbourne by creating arrangements which are displayed in twelve shops and public places around the village. As well as advertising NAFAS’s special year, we hoped it would also remind local people that Wellesbourne has a friendly and thriving Flower Club. Catherine Wickens of ‘Butterfly Flowers’ and our treasurer ably demonstrated a beautiful symmetrical design which featured five golden carnations as focal flowers together with wax flowers and hypericum berries. Foliage was provided by leather leaf, euonymus and galix leaves. Together we created the classic, front facing, design which was embellished with gold sisal and a butterfly, the signature Catherine uses in all her designs. The ‘golden ‘ theme was extended further by the committee wearing golden sashes; delicious fairy cakes with golden edible glitter provided by Yvonne; ‘golden’ raffle prizes which included NAFAS merchandise and golden chocolates to enjoy whilst we worked. Wellesbourne looks splendid with our arrangements at focal points around the village. It certainly was a ‘golden’ evening and highlighted what a talented group of members we have.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH JAYNE EDMONDSWellesbourne Flower Club enjoyed their Christmas meeting on Wednesday 3rd December. The chairman, Pippa Phillips welcomed 23 members and 21 visitors and introduced Jayne Edmunds, a National Demonstrator. Jayne’s demonstration was entitled ‘Christmas Spirit’. She promised us a glitzy evening and we were not disappointed. Her beautiful arrangements were inspired by a glass of red wine; mulled wine; a glass of champagne; vodka, which Jayne had enjoyed in the Mayfair Ice Bar, London; and a jar of Quality Street chocolates. Another arrangement reminded us of NAFAS Golden Anniversary. As well as delighting us with her demonstration she entertained us with anecdotes of her Christmas traditions and tales of her travels to London. After we enjoyed mince pies and other festive eats provided by the committee and Jayne's arrangements were raffled. The evening certainly got us into the ‘Christmas Spirit’.
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Next MeetingJuly 21stOuting to Woodpeckers, MarcliffContactsChairmanPippa Phillips01789 471128 SecretaryPat Sweet01789 840276 |
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