A big thank you to everyone  who negotiated the bad weather and the flooded roads to come to the Open Evening this month. The atmosphere in the Hall was so much more cheerful than outside as Sarah Fenton presented  ‘Let’s Go………’. Her  lovely designs took us round the garden, on a picnic,  to the theatre,   the seaside, a fireworks display   and to flower club. Sarah used a wide variety of flowers and foliage and the colour combinations throughout were beautiful and sometimes unexpected. Throughout,  she kept us entertained and the stage looked spectacular at the end of the demonstration. Thank you, Sarah for  a very enjoyable evening and for allowing us to share  photographs of your designs.

Thank you to the team from BFAS – Sue, Jenny C, Sandra, Jenny H, Margaret and Nicki- who arranged our lovely exhibit Harvest/Food  at the Area Flower Festival ‘Abundant Blessings’ in Hitchin. It was a very successful and beautiful event highlighting the talent in the Home Counties Area. Pictures of all exhibits are on www.flowerhomecounties.org and on www.stmaryshitchin.com

Jackie Page visited us for the first time this month. Her skills as a national teacher as well as an area demonstrator certainly shone through as she presented ‘Connections’ – five beautiful, very different designs all connected to various aspects of her life from childhood memories to her teaching and floristry careers. The five designs produced twelve raffle prizes so there were many happy members at the end of the evening! The pictures below give just a flavour of Jackie’s  arrangements – thank you for an enjoyable evening.

We welcomed Christine Long to our meeting this month. Her demonstration’s intriguing title ‘ Loosely Round the Solar System’ resulted in six arrangements representing colours or features associated with planets. The picture below gives just a flavour of one of the designs which also introduced many of us to the kaaps flower which is a member of the protea family.

A couple of days later, several of us enjoyed an afternoon ( with tea and cakes!) in Audrey’s (President of NAFAS Home Counties) beautiful garden in Kings Langley. The money raised at the event will go towards the Area Flower Festival in Hitchin on 20th -22nd September.

‘A lovely fun presentation’ ……‘Super ideas to try’…….‘Colourful and entertaining’….. ‘Brilliant, really enjoyed it’

It was Andrew Key’s first visit to Bedford and these  four  comments  from members after his ‘May to September’ presentation surely means it won’t be his last.

The stage looked stunning at the end of the evening filled  with designs which    included  commemorating  the 80^th anniversary of the D Day landings, remembering life on his grandfather’s small holding,  a visit to Buckingham Palace Garden Party and one arrangement  which was a tribute to his geese! 

A wide variety of flowers and foliage were used and  British Flower Week was celebrated in several of Andrew’s designs.  We were given lots of tips and ideas especially on items we could use from home (plastic guttering was a wonderful container for a long narrow table design!). His presentation was informative and entertaining and included musical interludes. A really  enjoyable evening – thank you Andrew.

Our first social and practical evening of the year. We always like these evenings to be ‘time related’ so the brief this time was ‘an arrangement depicting the May season incorporating wood and /or ribbon’ .At the end of the evening the stage looked wonderful with beautiful designs. They were all very different, showcasing the talent we have amongst our members – the pictures below give just an example of what was produced.

We also had time to enjoy a bring and share supper, to complete quizzes, to reminisce looking at photographs of the Society’s activities over the last 50 years and importantly, more time to chat and socialise with other members.

A lovely, relaxed evening – thank you to everyone who contributed to its success.

‘Car Boot Collection’ was the intriguing title of Lynne Sharpe’s demonstration for  her first visit to Bedford. She kept us entertained all evening including tales of her purchases from car boot sales. These provided all the containers and props for her  beautiful designs. The containers  and arrangements were inspired by  and linked to her many interests and hobbies varying from campanology and baking, to holidays and gardening. Her knowledge of garden material was extensive and she imparted lots of tips throughout the demonstration. By the end of the evening the stage looked wonderful – the pictures below  give  just a flavour of the designs.   There were many very happy raffle winners. 

 In our  comments book  at the end of the meeting, a member wrote  ‘Wonderful entertainment, beautiful achievable arrangements. Look forward to Lynne’s next visit.’  

This really sums up a great evening. Thank you Lynne.

We were delighted to welcome Barbara Collins back to Bedford  this month.  It was also good to see so many members  and visitors at our first demonstration evening of 2024. Daffodils and polyanthus on the stage welcomed us at the beginning of the evening and we knew that Barbara’s  ‘The Joys of Spring’  presentation would not disappoint.

Barbara kept us entertained and also gave us many teaching tips as she produced six beautiful, inspirational but very different designs. We celebrated the  complete season;  from the early  Spring garden to  Mother’s Day through to Easter.

The hope of Spring was translated through the joyful bright flowers including hyacinths, tulips, sweet williams, irises, ornithogalum, lilies, carnations and a lovely green dianthus kiwi mellow together with a very wide variety of foliage much from Barbara’s garden.

Thank you   Barbara  for such an enjoyable evening; thank you  also for allowing us to publish pictures of your designs.

On a very wet, blustery  evening  we were delighted to see so  many members at our AGM when we reviewed another successful, enjoyable  but challenging year.   Committee members were thanked for their hard work and all members for their help, enthusiasm and commitment to the  success of the club.  Two committee members are standing down this year  and were thanked for their hard work and commitment especially in the  very challenging role as programme secretary which one member had undertaken for many years.

 After a short break we welcomed Caroline Luxford from the Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association  who gave an illustrated talk on ‘Honey Bees and Other Wild Bees’

We look forward to welcoming everyone on March 5^th  to our first demonstration evening of 2024 when Barbara Collins  will present ‘The Joys of Spring’ and on March 9^th to our Fundraising Fashion Show and Shopping Event at Oakley Village Hall at  1.45 pm for 2.30pm. (see below)

It was a cold and dismal December evening outside but once in the Hall the preparations for Christmas began; there were activities  raising money for charity (including a raffle of a beautiful wreath donated by Alison)  , a plant stall full of seasonal greenery, a festive sales table  and Christmas drinks and nibbles  to get us into the mood.

This continued as Sharon Badger presented her demonstration ‘It’s beginning to look like Christmas’ The first  arrangements in baskets   were suitable for everyone to adapt to welcome visitors into their homes .

The other three designs were more contemporary  including gift boxes and  candy canes ,  a hand tie in a stylish container filled with pink and purple baubles and a final graceful and elegant  silver themed design using fatsias, amaryallis and eucalyptus.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful and enjoyable evening .

We wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2024.