WARNHAM EVENING FLOWER CLUB NEWS 21st January 2023
Hello Everyone. This is a bit late, I know, but Happy New Year! This cold weather has given me plenty of time to get organised for 2023! We have a full programme with wonderful demonstrators:
Programme for 2023 Is on a separate page on the website
First Meeting of 2023 The first meeting of 2023 is on Tuesday 21st February at 7pm for 7.30pm. Our demonstrator will be our very own Michelle King with “Tour de France”. The club competition is “Bend me, Shape me”.
Fees for 2023 Thanks to those of you who have already paid and renewed your membership! Membership fees for 2023 remain at £37 per member and visitor fees will remain at £7 per visit. Workshops and Open Meetings will be charged for – cost will depend on expenses.
We have some excellent demonstrators booked and some exciting plans for 2023 but we can only do this with your support! If you are not going to renew your membership for 2023, please let me know as soon as possible. If you can recruit any NEW members for 2023, please do so!
We usually collect membership fees at our first meeting in February but this makes for a busy time for our Treasurer (Debbie Jackson) and sometimes delays the start of the meeting. If possible, please renew your membership via a BACS payment to the Warnham Evening Flower Club account: Sort Code: 30-94-41 Account No: 56371868 using Ref: First 3 letters of your surname/Mem/23 OR: Send a cheque made payable to Warnham Evening Flower Club for £37 to: Mrs D Jackson, 52 Macleod Road, Horsham, RH13 5JQ The more members who pay before 21st February, the better, but of course you are welcome to pay at the first meeting as usual.
Sales Table We will have our sales table as usual so if you have anything to donate in the form of unwanted Christmas gifts, plants (not that there are many around at the moment!) or anything you think may help club funds, please bring it along.
At our meeting on 21st March, we thought it would be fun to have Easter crafts for sale on the Sales Table, so please give some thought to any little gifts for Easter you may be able to donate and start making! It’s too cold to go out so you need something to keep you busy!
Warnham Evening Flower Club – Parking As you may remember, we had a few issues with parking last year. Parking is becoming more difficult in Warnham but I am pleased to tell you that the Village Hall car park now has marked parking spaces, which should improve things a bit. If you have to park on the surrounding streets, please do this without causing obstruction to driveways etc. and car share if you can.
Donations for Gloria Hurrell We have made £25 donations to both the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the RNLI in Gloria’s memory.
Sussex Area Events for 2023 Workshops at Henfield Hall: Thursday 2nd March – Barbara Caldecourt with the title “All Tied Up” Thursday 8th June – Nick Grounds with the title “Twigs, Twists and Tenacity” Thursday 7th September – tba Thursday 9th November - tba Information will be sent out for individual workshops as it becomes available. Sussex Area of NAFAS Area Day
Monday 6th March 2023 – at the Windmill Theatre, Coastguard Road, Littlehampton BN17 5LH
Doors open at 10.15am 11am: A demonstration - Come and join us for a bit of a do at “Downtrodden Abbey” where we shall be preparing for a royal visit.
2pm: A musical matinee performance. Andrew Bernardi and the many strings to his bow A graduate of Trinity College of Music, Andrew Bernardi is well known in Sussex and beyond as the founder of the Shipley Arts Festival. As one of the UK’s leading violinists he has performed with a diverse range of artists, including John Rutter, Rick Wakeman and the late Natalie Cole, and has been involved with TV and film soundtracks such as Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation, Nanny McPhee and Pride and Prejudice.
Andrew has played with a number of orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Philharmonic and Guildford Philharmonic. Andrew will be playing on his 1696 Stradivarius and a bow which was previously owned by Lord Yehudi Menuhin.
Tickets are now on sale for this event at £20 for members and £22 for non-members.
We used to have about 15 people who came to Area Member’s Days and we are down to about 4 or 5. If Member’s Days are not better supported, they will cease to happen so please come along if you can. There are usually several of us travelling in cars so lifts can be arranged if transport is the issue! These days are great fun! Please contact me if you would like to attend as I have to book tickets by 17th February 2023.
Sussex Area Of NAFAS Diary Dates 2023 Council Meeting – The Shoreham Centre, BN43 5WU February 27th (Monday)
Members' Day at The Windmill Theatre, Littlehampton, BN17 5LH 11AM – Demonstration: “Downtrodden Abbey” 2PM – Musical Matinee performance by Andrew Bernardi playing his Stradivarius March 6th (Monday) £20 (Members)
National Flower Arranging Day May 5th (Friday)
Council Meeting – Plumpton Village Hall, BN7 3BQ May 22nd (Monday)
President’s Day at The Shoreham Centre, BN43 5WU 11AM – Speaker from the costume department of Strictly Come Dancing 2PM – Demonstration: Nick Grounds – “World of Stems and Stuff” June 7th (Wednesday)
Council Meeting – The Shoreham Centre, BN43 5WU August 14th (Monday)
Members' Day at Plumpton Village Hall, BN7 3BQ 11AM – Speaker – Richard Griffin LVO – former Royal Protection Officer 2PM – Demonstration: Annette Urquhart – Title tbc October 2nd (Monday) Council Meeting 11.00am and AGM 1.30pm November13th(Monday)
Dates for Your Diary 12th – 14th May 2023 NAFAS National Show Gloucester Cathedral 27th – 29th May 2023 Kent Area Show – “On The Catwalk” 18th – 25th June 2023 St Mary’s Flower Festival – Horsham 23rd – 25th June 2023 Blenheim Palace Flower Festival
Sussex Kidney Trust Jean Plaskett has asked for any donations of used Christmas or birthday cards to use in making her beautiful cards and crafts in aid of the Sussex Kidney Trust. You can contact Jean directly on 01403 255690 or bring your cards along to the first meeting on 21st February.
This is probably enough information for now, but I will probably think of something else I should have included as soon as I send this out! I’m looking forward to seeing you all in February but I’m sure I’ll be in touch before then. Best wishes, Janet, Club Chairman
WARNHAM FLOWER CLUB COMPETITION – ‘As I like it’ May 2020 Placings First – 13 Second – 1 Third - 5 Very highly commended - 8 Highly commended - 9 Commended – 11
1 This design has a pleasing colour harmony with well-positioned flowers and foliage. although the central low Hosta (?) leaf is a little dominant 2. A good selection of foliage with contrasting forms and textures. The downward flow of the pale green fern on the right-hand side does however detract from the diagonal line of the design 3. A charming arrangement of flowers and twigs which displays each flower within its own space creating an attractive design. However the 3 Gerberas at the top are rather large and they create a slightly top-heavy effect. 4. A dramatic contemporary exhibit which displays the Arum lilies to good effect. However the whole design is composed of 2 parts where the base area of foliage is very dominant and this detracts from the vertical lines of the top placement. 5. A most attractive parallel design which emphasises the form of the Roses and contrasts with the small white flowers of the Libertia. Plain green foliage rather than the variegated leaves at the base would have given a slightly less cluttered effect in that area. 6. This is a very attractive dried arrangement which emphasises the different forms and textures of the plant material. The 2 very dominant manipulated leaves on the right-hand side are, however, too large in size when used with the smaller pieces of plant material 7. An elegant display of white flowers and foliage. The positioning of the Roses in 2 diagonal lines does tend to create a rather heavy effect across the design. 8. The beautiful coral roses are well positioned in an earthenware container which emphasises the colour harmony of the exhibit and they are placed to create a pleasing asymmetrical effect. A little more transitional plant material would have enhanced the design 9. A vibrant parallel design using gorgeous bright blue Iris flowers and utilising areas of space within the exhibit, although the variegated foliage at the base looks a little confusing. 10. Dramatic colour contrast and good use of garden plant material which creates an eye-catching exhibit. However the positioning of the bright California poppy (Eschscholzia) is a little haphazard - if the large open flower was closer to the focal centre it would give a better overall balance 11. An attractive selection of flowers and foliage which have been well-arranged with many interesting touches, although the 2 large Hosta leaves at the left-hand side are a bit too large in relation to the other components and create a slightly unbalanced overall effect. 12. A pleasing design with soft colours of the flowers and foliage (good colour link between the white container and the white flowers). If the 3 eye-catching Roses had been positioned near the centre of the design it would have resulted in a more flowing line throughout 13. Congratulations – this is a most attractive design with excellent use of line and form, which has been well-staged 14. A charming very traditional exhibit incorporating a figurine. However with so many side-leaning pieces of plant material it does create an atmosphere of instability 15. An attractive diagonal design which has been well-staged in a box using a good selection of foliage. However the use of slightly more plant material would have avoided the dominant effect of the box 16 (It’s a little difficult to be able to appreciate the size of this design from the photograph but from the components which have been used I have assumed that it is a small-scale design)(On a personal note, I have found the flowers of chives this year to be particularly good – they last as a cut flower for weeks and have no smell when cut and brought indoors) This is a good use of smaller-scaled plant material (i.e. Hellebores and chives) - they have been well-arranged apart from an area towards the centre where there is a confusing cross-over 17. A colourful display of flowers and foliage, however the larger pink flowers (Roses?) are all grouped a bit too closely – a little of this colour used towards the outside edges would have added more flow to the whole design.
WARNHAM FLOWER CLUB COMPETITION –‘ A Bit of Fun’ - Foliage
1. Very dramatic and well-staged design. Most imaginative. Movement and space created by the looped Phormium leaves. Excellent colour harmony 2. Atmosphere achieved with the use of the attractive rabbit figure and very interesting form of the driftwood. Pebbles a bit dominant. Greater height of foliage at the rear would have avoided a slightly base-heavy effect 5643. Interesting selection of different types and shapes of foliage, with good use of contrasting shades of green and contrasting textures. Although the shape of the base repeats that of the container, it is a little eye-catching. 4. Attractive Easter-themed design with the supporting twigs well-positioned. The foliage is quite dense on the right side and this creates a slightly heavy effect in that area of the arrangement 5. What a fun idea utilising a palisade of green vegetables! The white cauliflower repeats the white at the base of the leeks, however, the onion at the top is visually (probably also actually) very heavy and dominant 6. A most attractive selection of foliage combined with exciting twisted twigs. The design has been well arranged and staged.
WARNHAM FLOWER CLUB COMPETITION “A Bit of Fun”– FLOWERS
Individual comments 1. A most attractive and well-balanced design featuring Camellias and Hellebores. Well staged on the table and against a soft-coloured background 2. A charming selection of Daffodils with their lovely sunny colours. The Euonymous foliage is a bit small in scale when used with the larger flowers resulting in a slightly top-heavy effect 3. This certainly is fun! The actual arrangement is good with a soft colour harmony. However the bright red colour of the trainer is very strong and vibrant and this dominates the whole design. 4. This is a lovely selection of brightly coloured Tulips which can be seen close up and in conjunction with a strong piece of driftwood. The inclusion of a little smaller-scaled foliage would have softened the whole effect. 5. A very pretty arrangement of spring flowers in a most attractive container, a very well arranged display. 6. A charming display of Roses and spring flowers in a most suitable basket container. The design is very attractive although the Roses are slightly large in scale when compared with the other plant material. 7. Definitely ‘a bit of fun’. Good crisp and contrasting colours. If the Chrysanthemums had been positioned at different levels through the arrangement it would have added greater overall rhythm. 8. A classic and elegant arrangement (well-staged in a suitable setting). A good variety of foliage but the 3 Roses look a little lonely at the base of the design. 9. A dramatic design containing some beautiful flowers. However the rather large Lily at the bottom left –hand side is quite large and out of scale with the other flowers and foliage 10. A very effective and restrained design. The positioning of the twigs is very well executed. However the base does not enhance the overall design (perhaps it would have been better without it at all, then a good subtle contrast between the pot and the pale-green fabric would have been more harmonious) 5645. Delightful spring flowers and foliage. The good outline of the arrangement is slightly disturbed by the loop of Phormium (?) at the top left-hand side which draws the eye. 12. A colourful and attractive design. Although the Buddha provides an element of fun, it is rather shiny and dominates over the flowers and foliage 13. Certainly a quirky ‘bit of fun’ with small spring flowers. (I’m sorry, but it is a bit difficult to see the different parts of this design clearly as it is rather a small photograph) 14. The ‘bit of fun’ has been achieved with the use of the paper flowers, although the colours and shades of bright blue and turquoise clash somewhat with the green colour of the foliage. 15. A pretty asymmetrical design of pale coloured flowers and contrasting foliage. A good design, although some of the foliage has a downward movement making it look a bit ‘droopy’ 16. An attractive section of flowers and succulents. (I wonder if this is a hand-tied design, but it is a bit difficult to see the whole thing - if it is a hand-tied then its been well done) 17. A simple arrangement emphasising the beautiful Hosta and Arum Italicum leaves. The pristine white flowers (Camellias ?) add to this simple effect, but are rather large within the design 18. A striking wall-hanging well displayed against old-coloured brickwork. The flowers and foliage are arranged well but the wirework/twigs (?) at the top of the design look a little untidy.
WARNHAM EVENING FLOWER CLUB NEWS APRIL 29th 2020 Hello Everyone. Me again! I hope you don’t mind me sending bits of news from time to time? Not very regular I know, but it’s when I find a few things I think you might find interesting. I decided to use a picture of the humble cow parsley today. It’s one of my favourite flowers and reminds me of my childhood. I was bought up in Abingdon in Oxfordshire and our house backed on to the MG Sports field. (Needless to say, it’s all houses now!) The edges were left quite wild and we spent hours running through the long grass and cow parsley playing games. All this staying at home is making me quite nostalgic! Club Competition – “A Bit Of Fun” The response to the competition wasbrilliant! We had 6 entries in the foliage category and 18 entries in the floral class. All the entries can be seen on the club website: www.warnhamflowerclub.org.uk The competition was judged by NAFAS National Judge, Barbara Harris and her comments were sent to all competitors. General Comments from Barbara: This was a really impressive range of exhibits with an overall good standard of flower arranging. Some lovely flowers were used, also attractive foliage which was not easy at this time of year when foliage is difficult to condition. For me it was not always easy to judge the exhibits in their 2-dimensional state and in some cases it was slightly difficult to clearly see all the details and components. I hope my comments will be helpful to the competitors and also will enable them to understand my reasons for the specific placing of winners. The members of the Warnham Flower Club can be very proud of the large number and standard of exhibits in this competition which has been held in such very difficult times. Congratulations to everyone involved. Barbara Harris
Flowers 1st: Jean Plaskett 2nd: Catherine Chandler 3rd: Claire Moorehouse Very Highly Commended: Veronica Pooley Highly Commended: Gaenor Circus Commended: Nancy Hubbard, Ann Meadows, and Claire Moorehouse (2nd entry) I would like to say a very big thank you to Barbara Harris for giving up her time to judge this competition for us, to Joyce Skeet for collating all the photographs to send to Barbara and editing them to put them on the website, as well as sending out the results and to all of you who entered. This was such a success, we are planning another competition in May so I will be in touch again soon with details. Warnham Evening Flower Club Meetings It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to cancel the June and July meetings of WEFC. We will keep everything crossed in the hope that we can meet again in September – we will just have to hope that everyone follows the official advice and that the virus becomes less of a threat to us all. Things to do Arundel Castle: Over 80,000 tulips are flowering at Arundel Castle – 20,000 more than ever before. The Castle is currently closed to visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic, but rather than letting the tulips go unseen, the Castle is releasing regular video and photo updates of the colourful displays. If you go to the Arundel Castle website and follow links to the tulip festival, you will find beautiful photographs and videos of the displays. BBC – Chelsea Flower Show 18th-23rdMay 2020 Chelsea Flower Show will be held virtually for the first time after it was cancelled due to coronavirus. Every morning of the virtual event between 18 and 23 May, a leading designer, florist or gardening personality will provide a tour of their own private gardens. Daily "school gardening clubs" will take place to provide activities for families to garden together, while "potting bench" demonstrations will show techniques for growing and maintaining plants. Lunchtimes will see RHS advisers being joined by a special guest for an interactive Q&A session, while a special series of programmes celebrating the show will be broadcast on BBC One and Two throughout the week. UK growers who would have been at the event will also provide behind-the-scenes tours of their nurseries and some will replicate the displays they would have had in the Great Pavilion.
On a personal note, I hope you all stay safe and well over the next few weeks and months. If any of you are self-isolating and need help with anything, please let me know and I will do whatever I can to help or try to put you in touch with people who can. These are very difficult times for everyone. I’ll be in touch again soon. Look after yourselves.
Janet Sharp Club Chairman
WARNHAM EVENING FLOWER CLUB NEWS APRIL 7th 2020 Hilda Craven As I told you in my Newsletter dated 19thMarch 2020, Hilda Craven passed away on Thursday 12thMarch, aged 97. Hilda will be going to Guildford Crematorium for cremation on Thursday 10thApril at 10.10 am. Sadly no-one will be able to attend but those of you who knew Hilda may like to sit quietly and think about her at this time. I understand there will be a memorial service at St Margaret’s Church in Warnham when the restrictions due to the corvid-19 virus are lifted. Club Competition – “A Bit Of Fun” I had a few replies about a club competition by Photo and as some of you seem keen, I have decided to go ahead! Please submit photographs of your arrangements entitled “A Bit of Fun” to Joyce and she will post them on the website. I know some of you are staying at home as much as possible and won’t want to go shopping to buy flowers so we will have 2 categories, one for an arrangement of foliage and one with flowers – it’s up to you. Please do both if you feel so inclined! As shopping and walking (to prune what is needed) is a bit erratic at the moment, we will make the closing date Friday 17thApril and you may submit your entries any time between now and then. I will ask Jean Plaskett to arrange someone to judge the entries – no names will appear on the website. PLEASE have a go!
Cancellations due to Corvid-19 Virus: In line with government policy your committee have decided that we will have to cancel the April and Maymeetings of Warnham Evening Flower Cluband will constantly review the situation to make decisions on when meetings can safely resume. Lancing College Flower Festival – Sense of Place has been cancelled for the scheduled dates in August. It is hoped to be held later in the year but nothing is decided yet. St Mary’s Flower Festivalhas been cancelled for June 2020 Chelsea Flower Show 2020has been cancelled Sussex Kidney Trust AGMdue to take place on 1stApril at Henfield Hall has been cancelled. More details will be posted on the SKT website
On a personal note, I hope you all stay safe and well over the next few weeks and months. If any of you are self-isolating and need help with anything, please let me know and I will do whatever I can to help or try to put you in touch with people who can. These are very difficult times for everyone. Look after yourselves.
Janet Sharp Club Chairman
WARNHAM EVENING FLOWER CLUB NEWS MARCH 19th 2020 First we have some very sad news: Hilda Craven died on Thursday 12th March. Age 97
Hilda was a founder member of Warnham Evening Flower Club, alongside Olive Stanford and Audrey Jupp. She was a very active member of our FC in years gone by and loved to hear what we were all up to! She worked for many years at the Post Office with Audrey Jupp, which is where Veronica remembers first meeting her. She was a wren during the war and told Veronica that she had a sweetheart who went to war but never returned. She lived with her parents in Redford Avenue, not far from Angie’s family home where June still lives. Hilda lived there after her parents died, until she made the decision to move to Abbeyfield Home in Hurst Road where she had a lovely garden room. She enjoyed helping in the garden and Kath, Joyce and Veronica used to visit her there. Hilda used to cycle to school from Leonardslee where her father worked as a coachman, to Horsham and I have been told when the Flower Club met in Warnham Court she used to cycle there with her design for the competition in the basket! She moved from Abbeyfield to Honeywood House in Rowhook and Kath Shipp visited her often there. She will be sadly missed by all those whose paths she crossed. There will be no funeral but there will be a memorial service in St Margarets when the Corvid 19 virus has passed.
Area Chairman, Jilly Griffin has asked me to pass on another piece of sad news regarding Joan Cooper: I have been advised by Chris Brown, Surrey Area Chairman that sadly Joan Cooper, Past National President and National Associate of Honour passed away on Saturday 14th March 2020. It is thought that a small family funeral will take place followed by a Memorial Service at a later date. Joan had two sons, Graham and Neil and if you want to send messages of condolence please contact me for details. My email and telephone number are on the back of your membership card. I confirm a card will be sent on behalf of NAFAS.
Also: It is with sadness that I have to let you know that Anne Stokes of Rustington Flower Club has passed away. She will be much missed by her many flower arranging friends. Anne was a founder member of Rustington Society of Floral Art 58 years ago, having moved from Worthing Flower Club. She was currently Rustington's Life President. Anne was the Designer for a Sussex Area Festival at Arundel Castle and she and Brenda Forrester worked together on the Sussex Area Banner for the Westminster Abbey NAFAS Festival in 2009. Anne's funeral will be held at Worthing Crematorium on 1st April at 1.20pm.
Cancellations due to Corvid-19 Virus: In line with government policy your committee have decided that we will have to cancel the April and Maymeetings of Warnham Evening Flower Cluband will constantly review the situation to make decisions on when meetings can safely resume. St Mary’s Flower Festivalhas been cancelled for June 2020 Chelsea Flower Show 2020has been cancelled Sussex Kidney Trust AGMdue to take place on 1stApril at Henfield Hall has been cancelled. More details will be posted on the SKT website Club Meeting – Tuesday 17thMarch 2020 We had a small but very well formed meeting! Barbara Caldecourt gave us a very entertaining evening of demonstrations and stories on the theme of “Moving Through Time”. She gave floral interpretations of the decades from 1950 to 1990’s and they were all beautiful! The club competition was entitled “Reflections” and we had 3 entries which were judged by Gaenor Circus. The Judges Cup in memory of Olive Stanford was won by Lesley Etherton. Joyce has posted pictures on the WEFC website at www.warnhamflowerclub.org.uk Please take a look if you were unable to attend on Tuesday. On a personal note, I hope you all stay safe and well over the next few weeks and months. If any of you are self-isolating and need help with anything, please let me know and I will do whatever I can to help or try to put you in touch with people who can. These are very difficult times for everyone. My email and telephone number are on the back of your Membership card. Look after yourselves. Janet Sharp, Club Chairman.
Warnham Evening Flower Club Newsletter February 2020 Welcome back to Flower Club – I hope you all had a nice Christmas and New Year and managed to avoid all the nasty bugs that have been going around? Spring seems to be just around the corner with bulbs putting on a brave show already! First Club Meeting of 2020 - Tuesday 18thFebruary– Our first demonstrator in 2020 was scheduled to be Jan Mason but, sadly, she had to cancel due to ill health. I’m happy to report that several of our members have agreed to step in and our thanks go to Jean Plaskett, Angie Hyde, Jilly Griffin, Gaenor Circus and Michelle King who are going to give us their interpretation of “As We Like It”.That’s five brilliant demonstrators for our first meeting! The Club Competition is “Something Exotic”and we encourage you all to enter. Subscriptions– are due at the February meeting on 18th. Most of you will have had reminders sent out via membermojo Please pay Sonia Summerfield (Debbie Jackson will be away for our first meeting) £37 by BACS Code S20, cheque made out to Warnham Evening Flower Club or cash, if you haven’t already done so. Fundraising-There is always a need to raise more funds to keep WEFC running and to enable us to have the best demonstrators and beautiful flowers for our meetings. The easiest way to do this is to attract more members – if you each bought one friend or acquaintance to join our club we would double in size! Please try your best to help us. We are going to try having additional things for sale at our meetings. This may be in the form of crafts, jams and chutneys, cakes, plants etc. If you have anything you would like to bring along to donate to the sales table, we would be very grateful. Anything with an Easter theme would be great for the Feb/March meetings! Please bring along a little extra cash to meetings in case you would like to make any purchases. 50/50 Board– Win £25 on the 50/50 board. Choose a square for £1, print your name clearly in the square and keep your fingers crossed! Once the board is full we will draw out the winning ticket and the winner will receive £25! Good luck! Members Day Monday 9thMarch. Tickets for those who have purchased them will be available for collection at the meeting on Tuesday 18thFebruary. The Speaker is Rosemary Hughes Title: Royal Maundy Traditions Demonstrator: Angela Turner Title: Flowers, Paper, Scissors I believe there may be a few tickets still available for this Members Day. If you would like to attend, please contact Janet Sharp Members Day Monday 8thJune. - I know it’s a long time in advance but we have to order tickets for the Members Day on 8th June 2020 at the Area Council meeting on 10th Feb. The Speaker is Tony Harris Title: “Henry VIII”. Demonstrators: Emma Remington and Alison Suffolk Title: “Then There Were Two”. Lifts can be arranged for those who do not have transport. Tickets are £15 each payable by BACS, Code MD8/6 with your surname, Cheque payable to Warnham Evening Flower Club or Cash by or on the 18th February at the club meeting. Tickets are non-refundable. National Flower Arranging Day – Friday 1stMay Anyone with any ideas for spreading the word about flower arranging and bringing a bit of joy into people’s lives through flowers – please see me at club. WAFA – Grand Floral Affair 2020 The 13thWorld Flower Show is taking place in Jaipur, India from 24thFebruary – 1stMarch 2020 Club Members – National Chairman, Dr Christina Curtis and Claire Bryant are competing in this prestigious event and we wish them the best of luck. St Mary’s Flower Festival – WEFC has been asked to take part again this year. Set up will be 15th– 17thJune. The Festival will be 18th– 21stJune and will be dismantled on Mon. 22nd June. The title is “Every Book Tells a Story” and more details will be available soon. Angie Hyde and Brenda Dolling are already taking part so we would like to put a team together from Warnham - is there anyone who would like to make up a team? Please speak to me at club. Lancing College Flower Festival – Sense of Place – 20th– 23rdAugust 2020 Plans for Sense of Place are moving ahead with several members of Warnham taking part. The Festival Designer, Linda Porrett, has won a number of gold medals for her designs at Chelsea Flower Show and World Shows and her imaginative designs for Lancing will be dramatic and colourful. For more information go to lancingcollege.co.uk/events Tickets are £12 each (children under 12 – Free) They are available on-line but if anyone wishes me to book tickets for them, please see me at club. Garden Visit- Your committee are planning a garden visit as usual for the Summer but as yet, nothing has been confirmed. Watch this space! National Residential Event 7th– 9thAugust Marriott Hotel - Leicester - This is a social event to attract members from all parts of the country for floral demonstrations, talks, music and much more. An application form is available on the NAFAS website or you can contact Debbie Wadge: [email protected] Kent Area Diamond Anniversary Show – 23rd– 25th May- Area Show Chairman, Mig Kimpton is arranging a show with his team entitled “Colour Revolution” Venue: Clive Emson Building, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone. ME14 3JF 9.30 to 5pm. Tickets available at the gate £10 / £9 Seniors Sussex Kidney Trust AGM– Wednesday 1st April in The Henfield Hall, Henfield (Time tba) NAFAS National Photography Competition 2020– Details will be on the noticeboard at the Feb. meeting. I look forward to seeing you on 18th February. Janet Sharp, Chairman.
November 2019 Open Meeting– On Tuesday 19th November we look forward to welcoming National Demonstrator Margaret Rumens with her title “Christmas is Coming”. Ticket are £12 each which includes refreshments. There will be Christmassy Stall selling crafts and Christmas bits including small Christmas cakes. All the designs by Margaret will be raffled at the end of the evening. There is also a General Raffle with lots of prizes donated by local businesses and some friends. Do come along, everyone is welcome! Tickets can be bought on the door for this demonstration.
Our AGM is on Tuesday 3th December 2019 at 7.30pm.This will be a social event after the business part of the evening! Non-members are very welcome to join us, and please don’t think we will rope you onto the committee, that’s already sorted! We will have a floral competition for members titled “A Christmas Present” so that will get us into the Christmas spirit! Members and visitors vote for their favourite design by placing small change on a saucer in front of the design. The entry with the most money is then presented with the Molly Orford Cup. All money collected is then donated to the Sussex Kidney Trust. We also have a “Secret Santa” so if you are attending, please bring a small wrapped gift (less than £5 in value) and you will receive one in return at the end of the evening! A finger buffet will be supplied by the committee to end the year! We suggest a voluntary donation of £1 for refreshments.
Dr Christina Curtis– We congratulate her as the new National Chairman to lead NAFAS forward for the next two years. If you have the Winter edition of the Flower Arranger you will have seen the write up about her by Linda Jones in National News. If not I will put it on the Notice board at the Open Meeting.
Flower Arranger– This is your last chance to order the Flower Arranger for 2020 as the order will go in after the meeting on 19thNovember. Please see Alex to place your order, cost £12.80.
Members Day Tickets Monday 8thMarch 2019. Yes, I know it’s a long way off, but I have to buy these tickets at Council on 18thNovember. Tickets are £15 each and thespeaker in the morning is Rosemary Hughes with her title “Royal Maundy Traditions”. The Demonstrator in the afternoon is Angela Turner. Her title is to be confirmed nearer the date. So, if you would like a ticket please either email me on [email protected]or phone me on 01403270089 before Sunday 17thNovember.
Refreshment Rota for 2020 This is nearly complete so I will bring it to the Open meeting and hopefully those of you who haven’t volunteered with do so.
Members Mojo We have taken the 60-day free trial and are slowly setting up a database. The system will go live just before Christmas with everyone on email getting a letter about the club. Those not on email will get a letter explaining what we are doing. Once it goes live you will be able to sign in using your email address, the system will then send you a link which you click on to enter the site. You will only be able to view and change your own information. You can also set up your own password. A renewal message will be sent out 28 days before the meeting in February reminding everyone that Subscriptions will be due. I will update you all at the AGM on 3rd December as to the progress we are making. Luckily there seems a very helpful support system to contact and steer us through the jargon!
I look forward to seeing you all at the Open Meeting on Tuesday 19th November, Best Wishes,
Joyce Chairman
October 2019 We had Eleanor Bracken as demonstrator at the September meeting her title of “Holiday Tales” went down well. The club competition “Tropical Twist” had 3 entries and there are some photos of Eleanor’s dem and the club competition on the website.
Flower Arrangerorders for 2020, It is still the same price £12.80 for the 4 copies. Please see Alex if you want to order for next year. Cheques or cash, BACS transfer to Acc no 56371868 Sort Bank Code 30-94-41. WEFC Code - Your Surname or part of + FA 2020.
Open Meeting Tickets– 19thNovember We have Margaret Rumenscoming. It will be a fantastic evening, not to be missed. So please invite all your friends to come along. Tickets are £12 each which includes refreshments and are selling fast. There will be a Christmassy Craft stall, A General raffle and all Margaret’s designs will be raffled in the Flower Raffle. If anyone can supply jams, chutney or any other items for this stall that would be great, Lesley and Angie are beavering away making lots of Craft things and others are knitting. If you can make Christmas craft items we would be very grateful. Please pay for your ticket by Cash or Cheque or BACS.
Ilona Brockbank is standing down as Programme Secretary. So, I am looking for nominations for this post on the committee. If anyone would like to know more about this position please see Ilona or myself at the tea break. The programme for 2020 is complete. I have nomination forms, so please consider this position.
Congratulations to Gaenor Circuswho was successful in passing The NAFAS Area Judges Test:
On Tuesday 1stOctober I attended the Area Chairman Forum in Haywards Heath. Its good to get together with others clubs from the area and hear what they are doing to get new members, make ends meet and share experiences.
Dates for your Diary - There will be a Flower Festival at Lancing College Chapel 20th- 23rdAugust 2020. Entry will be £12, with concessions for coach parties. The Festival title is “Sense of Place” and Linda Porrett is the Festival Designer. Sussex Area‘s 60thAnniversary Flower Festival will be in Leonardslee Gardens from Thursday 9th– 12thSeptember 2021. Festival Chairman is Gaenor Circus and Festival Designer is Stephen McDonnell assisted by Stephanie Maynard and Clair Bryant. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 15thOctober. The demonstrator will be Jenny Nye and her title is “Memorable Moments”. The club competition is Forever Autumn so do consider taking part.
Best wishes, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
September 2019 Welcome back everyone, and I hope you have had a nice holiday if you have been away
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 17thSeptemberand Eleanor Bracken will be our demonstrator. Her title is “Holiday Tales” The club competition will be “Tropical Twist” – An exhibit.
Christmas Cards?? If anyone would like to buy NAFAS Christmas Cards, I will pass around the flyer at the meeting next Tuesday. There are pictures of the various cards available on the back (cost £4 per pack of 10) I will attach a sheet so if you would like to order please add your name and see me at the tea break with the money. I have to send the form back by 31stOctober.
Members day on 28th October tickets – If you put your name on the list please pay £15 at the treasurers table this evening by cheque or cash. BACS transfer.
Flower Arranger orders for 2020, It is still the same price £12.80 for the 4 copies. Please see Alex if you want to order for next year. Cheques or cash, BACS transfer.
There is 1 place left on the Felt workshop on Saturday October 5th in the Parish room, Warnham. Those of you who have put your names down please arrange to pay £23 to Sonia. BACS transfer.
Open Meeting Tickets – 19thNovember We have Margaret Rumens coming. It will be a fantastic evening, not to be missed. So please invite all your friends to come along. Tickets are £12 each which includes refreshments. There will be a Christmassy Craft stall, A General raffle and all Margaret’s designs will be raffled in the Flower Raffle. If anyone can supply jams, chutney or any other items for this stall that would be great, Lesley and Angie are beavering away making lots of Craft things and others are knitting. If you can make Christmas craft items we would be very grateful. Please pay for your ticket by Cash or Cheque or BACS transfer.
Ilona Brockbank is standing down as Programme Secretary. So, I am looking for nominations for this post on the committee. If anyone would like to know more about this position please see Ilona at the tea break. The programme for 2020 is complete. I have nomination forms, so please consider this position.
Pamela Franzak is standing down from running the Sales Table. Pam Brinkler will run it so the committee have suggested that we have a list of volunteers to help out on the evenings like we do for the refreshments as this works well. I have a sheet and will send it around, if you can help, please add your name to the list.
In 2021 the club will be 60 years old. Your committee is already considering events to celebrate the year. I will give you more details on Tuesday. A simple Club Membership software package that keeps track of membership details was discussed at committee and agreed that it would be a useful addition to our Club. It is called Membermojo and is used by many club’s country wide. It was set up by a Horsham man in 2012. The main problem we have at the moment is that Wenda has the only access to the main list, so if anything needs to be sent out from Area or the Chairman, Wenda needs to be around! As we already have signed forms for Data Protection transferring the details to an electronic system is a formality. Only certain members of the new committee would have access to the main database. Members would be able to go online and change your own details if needed, but cannot see anyone else’s information. We can have a 60 day free trial so the plan would be to run it alongside the spreadsheet that Wenda has at the moment. The cost of running it is very low, 1 – 50 members is free, then 51 – 100 is £30 a year. I will have the information at hand on my iPad at club on Tuesday so you are very welcome to have a look and ask questions.
I attended Area Council on 12thAugust. The minutes will be on the notice board if you would like to read them. Affiliation Fees will be paid by Sonia by 20thOctober. This comes out of your £35 membership. This year it is £8.20 per member, £6.10 goes to National and £2.10 goes to Area. There will be a Flower Festival at Lancing College Chapel 20th- 23rdAugust 2020. Entry will be £12, with concessions for coach parties. The Festival title is “Sense of Place” and Linda Porrett is the Festival Designer. Sussex Area‘s 60thAnniversary Flower Festival will be in Leonardslee Gardens from Thursday 9th– 12thSeptember 2021. Festival Chairman is Gaenor Circus and Festival Designer is Stephen McDonnell assisted by Stephanie Maynard and Clair Bryant.
Please check the notice board as there are a number of Demonstrations at various clubs in the area between now and Christmas. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 17th September, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
July 2019 Coffee Morning – This was a success on 22nd June in the Comrades Club. My thanks to all those who donated and helped on the day. The takings for the day were, Raffle £104.80, Flower Arrangements £27.50, Refreshments £62.00, Tombola £62.00 Plants £27.20, Cards (Jean) £40.00, Books £32.61, Crafts £140.00 Bric-a-brac £35.00 Donation £20.00 Total 611.45 - £49.00 Expenses = £562.45.
Club meeting on Tuesday 16th July at 7.30pm. The demonstrator is Maggie Hayes and her title is “Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace”. The club competition is “Shaken not Stirred” so do have a go!. The 50/50 board will be there so do buy a square for £1. You might be the lucky winner of £25!
Prairie Garden Visit 17th July. Please arrive in the car park by 5.45pm for 6pm talk from the gardener. Refreshments can be bought while you are there and viewing the gardens.
Correspondence – I have had a letter from the St Marys Flower Festival team, Judy Brinkworth and Jo Benson thanking Sonia and her team for the wonderful display they did at the festival.
Members Day Monday 28thOctober 2019.If anyone would like a ticket please see me on Tuesday at club. Tickets are £15 each. The speaker in the morning is Brian Freeland with “View from the Wings” and the afternoon Demonstrator is Alan Beatty. I will ask for a show of hands and then buy the tickets at Council on 12thAugust for those who would like to go.
There will be NO meeting in August.
We meet back on 17thSeptember when the demonstrator will be Eleanor Bracken and her title is “Holiday Tales”. The club competition is Tropical Twist”. Refreshment ladies are Lesley Etherton and Veronica Cackett.
Open Meeting 19thNovember. We will have Margaret Rumens (National Demonstrator) demonstrating for this Open meeting and tickets will be on sale from September, price £12 each. Please let all your friends know about this event as it will be our Christmas Demonstration. We plan to have a large craft stall and a general raffle. If anyone can make Christmas craft items, that would be great. Also, if anyone knows where we can obtain some raffle prizes, eg Afternoon tea or dinner at a pub please contact me.
We would like nominations for Chairman, Treasurer and Sales table please. Nomination forms will be on your chair at the next meeting. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 16th, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
June 2019 Newsletter
Congratulations to Gaenor Circus for winning Gold and to Claire Bryant for winning Silver-Gilt at Chelsea. What an achievement! See photos of their work in the photo gallery.
St Mary’s Flower Festival - 14th June – 17th June. Sonia and her team have been very busy so please do go along and view all the amazing creations. The theme this year is Diversity, interpreting local culture in flowers from beekeeping to bell ringing, local artists and composers, historic schools and Horsham’s twin towns.
Workshop on Tuesday 18th June with Sachiko Pearce. Design 1 – you will need, Spike stand (available from Angie – cost £5). Or something to prop your ring on. 12in ring, foam backed. A couple of long branches or Mitsumata Branches. Spotted Dracaena leaves “Florida Beauty” or any other to cover the ring, Eucalyptus leaves (long ones or similar) to in around top half of ring, 3 roses and some pins.
Design 2 –you will need, A long flat container holding 1 or 2 blocks of oasis, Equisetum (Snake grass which Angie will get and you can buy from her on 18thth). Long Black No 5 wire, Minimum flowers, a couple of Roses, or Orchid heads, The drawing shows a few other round headed flowers so bring a selection! A bit of moss or stones to cover oasis. The refreshment ladies will bring some cake, so those not taking part in the workshop can sit with a cuppa and watch and comment!!
Nymans annual “Celebration of Flowers” is underway until Sunday 16th June.
Coffee Morning 22nd June Comrades Club 10 am – 12 MD Please bring any donations for Tombola, Bric-a-brac, Craft, Books or Plants to club on Tuesday 18th. We will need lots of cakes, cupcakes, tray bakes or biscuits to serve and sell. I can arrange collection on Friday 17th or please bring on the day. All volunteers welcome, but please come and support your club.
Garden Visit - Sussex Prairie Gardens Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Entry will be £8 paid in advance by BACS Code PG17/7, Cheque or cash. Please see Sonia at club. I look forward to see you on Tuesday 18th June, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
May 2019 Newsletter
May Demo- The demonstrator for the 21st May meeting will be Kathryn Austin and her title is “Wings”. The club competition for members is “Something in the Air”. Do have a go! National Flower Arranging day on 3rd May – I do hope that you were able to get to the Capital in Horsham to view the wonderful designs created by Jean Plaskett and Gaenor Circus to celebrate the day? Members of the public were given a rose and an invitation to attend one of our meetings as a guest. The designs were generously sponsored by John Nicholson, Auctioneers.
Coffee Morning – 22nd June in the Comrades Club, Hollands Way from 10am – 12md. This is our main fund raising event for the year and your club, so helpers are needed to run the various stalls or to make tea and coffee, so please volunteer. We will have Cake, Plant, Book, Craft, Bric A Brac and Tombola stalls. Lots of Tombola prizes are required, so if you would like to donate here are a few ideas! Packets of biscuits, pasta, packs of chocolate bars, toiletries or bottles of anything! please give to Pamela or myself at the meeting. There will also be a general raffle. If you have any spare plants, craft items, or books please bring to the 18th June meeting. Cakes etc for the cake stall please contact me on 01403 270089 to arrange collection or bring on the morning. Thanks to members who have already contacted me.
Members Day (Area Presidents Day) - Lunch in a Box on June 10th at Clair hall. There are 4 tickets left at £20 each. A picnic in a box will be served at 12.15pm and the demonstration by Ian Lloyd “Cheshire Housewives” will start at 2pm. Please see Michelle at club or contact her on 01403 732652 if you or another member would like to go.
Garden Visit - Sussex Prairie Gardens Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Michelle has arranged a garden visit to Sussex Prairie gardens for Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Entry will be £8 paid in advance by BACS Code PG17/7, Cheque or cash. (Cost to RHS members is still £8). There will be a talk by the gardener on arrival and then you can wander around the garden yourselves. You are very welcome to bring partners or friends and car share. Refreshments will be available on the evening from the tea shop and there is a nice terrace where you can sit overlooking the gardens. There is car parking and lifts can be arranged if you contact me. Please give your name to Michelle. St Mary’s Flower Festival – 13th – 16th June, - Not to be missed! Do visit and see the displays by Sonia Summerfield and her team.
Kent Area Competition and Show – 25th -27th May. 9.30 – 5pm. “Enchantment” Clive Emson Building, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone . ME14 3JF. Pay on door.
Recycle your Spare Wool?? –If anyone has any spare wool looking for a new home please bring to club and give to Pamela. She has lots of ideas of how to use it!
BACS details – Name of Payee: WEFC. Account no: 40153660. Sort Code: 30 94 41. Reference: Surname (or part thereof). Followed by the Code for the event.
Please check the Notice Board for details of other club events in the Area and information from NAFAS.
April 2019 Newsletter
April Demo- The demonstrator on Tuesday 16th April will be Graham King and his title is “Floral Madness”. The competition for members is Crazy Daisy.
Countryside Festival at St George’s church in West Grinstead Sat 27th – Sun 28th April from 11am. “Music in Bloom” Flower Festival, Anyone interested in contributing a floral arrangement to the church for that weekend, please contact Lorna Hourigan Tel No 07887 510200. Flyer below.
National Flower Arranging Day 3rd May. To celebrate this day Gaenor Circus and Jean Plaskett will be exhibiting two arrangements in the foyer of The Capital, Horsham. I am delighted to say that Nicholsons Auctioneers have agreed to sponsor the arrangements. I have registered this event on the HDC Year of Culture website, and the County Times and Marketing Manager of the Capitol will also advertise this event. The arrangements will remain in the foyer for visitors to see for the following week so please do go along. Alongside we will be putting out leaflets inviting visitors to come to one of our meetings in Warnham, free of charge if they have the leaflet with them. Maybe we will get a few new members! Leaflets about NAFAS will also be available.
Members Day (Area Presidents Day) - Lunch in a Box on June 10th at Clair hall. Tickets are £20. The Demonstrator is Ian Lloyd. We have ordered 16 tickets so if you would like to go, please give your name to Michelle. Payment is by BACS Code MD10/6, cheque or cash.
Coffee Morning – 22nd June in the Comrades Club, Hollands Way from 10am – 12md. We will have Cake, Plant, Book, Craft, Bric A Brac and Tombola stalls. So if you have any items that you would like to donate, or any material that would make craft items please give to Pamela or myself at the meeting. Thanks to members who have already contacted me.
Garden Visit - Sussex Prairie Gardens Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. We have arranged a garden visit to Sussex Prairie gardens for Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Entry will be £8 paid in advance by BACS Code PG17/7, Cheque or cash. (Cost to RHS members is still £8). There will be a talk by the gardener on arrival and then you can wander around the garden yourselves. You are very welcome to bring partners or friends and car share. Refreshments will be available on the evening from the tea shop and there is a nice terrace where you can sit overlooking the gardens. There is car parking and lifts can be arranged if you contact me. Please give your name to Michelle.
Surrey Area Floral Art Show 26th -27th April in Woking Leisure Centre. Ticket £5 on the door. Everyone welcome.
Kent Area Competition and Show – 25th -27th May. 9.30 – 5pm. “Enchantment” Clive Emson Building, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone . ME14 3JF
BACS details – Name of Payee: WEFC. Account no: 40153660. Sort Code: 30 94 41. Reference: Surname (or part thereof). Followed by the Code for the event.
March 2019 Newsletter
Tuesday 19th March – Our demonstrator will be a club member and Area Demonstrator – Gaenor Circus and her title is “Through the Ages”. The club competition for members is “Nostalgia” so do have a go. The Judges Choice cup will be presented to the winning entry. April 16th Meeting – Will be in Broadbridge Heath Village Hall, Wickhurst Lane 7pm for 7.30pm start. This is because the Warnham Hall is closed to have the flat roof replaced. There is plenty of parking at the BBH hall and we will serve refreshments as usual.
Subscriptions for 2019 are £35 and are now due. Please pay Sonia Summerfield £35 by BACS Code S19, cheque made out to Warnham Evening Flower Club or cash.
50/50 Board – Win £25 on the 50/50 board. Buy a square for £1, please make sure you print your name clearly. Once the board is full we will draw out the winning ticket and the winner will receive £25! Good luck!
Sussex Kidney Trust AGM – Wednesday 3rd April at 2.15pm in The Henfield Hall, Henfield, followed by afternoon tea.
Surrey Area Floral Art Show 26th -27th April in Woking Leisure Centre. Ticket £5 on the door. Everyone welcome.
Kent Area Competition and Show – 25th -27th May. 9.30 – 5pm. “Enchantment” Clive Emson Building, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone . ME14 3JF
Members Day (Area Presidents Day) - Lunch in a Box on June 10th at Clair hall. Tickets are £20. The Demonstrator is Ian Lloyd. We have ordered 16 tickets so if you would like to go, please give your name to Michelle. Payment is by BACS Code MD10/6, cheque or cash. Coffee Morning – 22nd June in the Comrades Club, Hollands Way from 10am – 12md. We will have Cake, Plant, Book, Craft, Bric A Brac and Tombola stalls. So if you have any items that you would like to donate, or any material that would make craft items please give to Pamela or myself at the meeting. Thanks to members who have already contacted me.
Garden Visit - Sussex Prairie Gardens Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. We have arranged a garden visit to Sussex Prairie gardens for Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Entry will be £8 paid in advance by BACS Code PG17/7, Cheque or cash. (Cost to RHS members is still £8). There will be a talk by the gardener on arrival and then you can wander around the garden yourselves. You are very welcome to bring partners or friends and car share. Refreshments will be available on the evening from the tea shop and there is a nice terrace where you can sit overlooking the gardens. There is car parking and lifts can be arranged if you contact me. Please give your name to Michelle. Outing - NAFAS Floral Art and Design Show 9th August 2019 We are going to the National show on Friday 9th August. We have a coach booked and the cost for the coach, entrance to the show and the driver tip will be £33.00 pp. The coach is now full so we are operating a waiting list. If your name is on the list can you please pay Michelle by BACS Code NAT9/8, cheque or cash.
Felt Workshop – There will be a Workshop on Saturday 5th October in the morning with Julie Higgins in the Parish Room, Warnham. The cost will be £23 pp and places are limited to 10, so if this is something you would like to do please see Michelle. Payment by BACS FC5/10, Cheque or cash.
BACS details – Name of Payee: WEFC. Account no: 40153660. Sort Code: 30 94 41. Reference: Surname (or part thereof). Followed by the Code for the event. Please check the Notice Board for details of other club events in the Area and information from NAFAS. I look forward to seeing you on 19th March. Joyce Skeet, Chairman
February 2019 Newsletter
Welcome back to Flower Club – I hope you all had a nice Christmas and New Year and managed to avoid all the nasty bugs that have been going around? Spring seems to be knocking on the door with various bulbs in flower no matter what the weather! Tuesday 19th February – Our first demonstrator in 2019 is Michelle King and her title is “Tutti Frutti” The club competition is “Oranges and lemons”.
Subscriptions – are due at the February meeting on 19th. Please pay Sonia Summerfield £35 by BACS Code S19, cheque made out to Warnham Evening Flower Club or cash.
50/50 Board – Win £25 on the 50/50 board. Buy a square for £1, please make sure you print your name clearly. Once the board is full we will draw out the winning ticket and the winner will receive £25! Good luck!
Members Day 4th March. Michelle has the tickets so if you have requested one, please see her on the Treasurers table. Area have decided to give a raffle prize of 1 year’s subscription of the Flower Arranger. There will be another 1 year subscription to win at the June and Octobers members Day.
Sussex Kidney Trust AGM – Wednesday 3rd April at 2.15pm in The Henfield Hall, Henfield, followed by afternoon tea.
Surrey Area Floral Art Show 26th -27th April in Woking Leisure Centre. Ticket £5 on the door. Everyone welcome.
National Flower Arranging Day – Friday 3rd May – We have been granted a bursary of £100 from Area to be used to promote Flower Arranging in our community and help increase club membership. I am delighted to tell you that the Capital in Horsham has agreed to us putting an arrangement in the foyer of the Art Centre on 3rd May. This I feel will be seen by many people attending and hopefully with flyers and a free invite to attend one of our meeting may bring more members. It also ties in with HDC Year of Culture – promoting Floral Art. If you would like to be involved in this exciting venture, please speak to me at club.
Kent Area Competition and Show – 25th -27th May. 9.30 – 5pm. “Enchantment” Clive Emson Building, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone . ME14 3JF
Members Day (Area Presidents Day) - Lunch in a Box on June 10th at Clair hall. Tickets are £20 each. The Demonstrator is Ian Lloyd. We have ordered 16 tickets so if you would like to go, please give your name to Michelle. Payment is by BACS Code MD10/6, cheque or cash. St Marys Flower Festival – Will be on Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June. Set up is Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th. Take down is Monday 17th June. The theme is “Year of Culture” and more details will be available soon. Sonia is interested in being involved, is there anyone else who would like to make up a team? Please speak to me at club.
Garden Visit - Sussex Prairie Gardens Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. We have arranged a garden visit to Sussex Prairie gardens for Wednesday 17th July at 6pm. Entry will be £8 paid in advance by BACS Code PG17/7, Cheque or cash. There will be a talk by the gardener on arrival and then you can wander around the garden yourselves. You are very welcome to bring partners or friends and car share. Refreshments will be available on the evening from the tea shop and there is a nice terrace where you can sit overlooking the gardens. There is car parking and lifts can be arranged if you contact me. Please give your name to Michelle.
Outing - NAFAS Floral Art and Design Show 9th August 2019 We are going to the National show on Friday 9th August. We have a coach booked and the cost for the coach, entrance to the show and the driver tip will be £33.00 pp. You are very welcome to bring friends, but payment in full is requested. We still have some places left but once the coach is full we will operate a waiting list. More details on the Events board. Michelle is taking names and payment by BACS Code NAT9/8, cheque or cash.
Felt Workshop – There will be a Workshop on Saturday 5th October in the morning with Julie Higgins in the Parish Room, Warnham. The cost will be £23 pp and places are limited to 10, so if this is something you would like to do please see Michelle. Payment by BACS FC5/10, Cheque or cash.
HDC Year of Culture – To date I have heard nothing from the other club chairmen who have shown an interest regarding a meeting to decide how we can promote the art of Flower Arranging in Sussex.
Flower Arranger – If you are not happy with the content of the Flower Arranger or have chosen to stop your subscription, the editorial team want to hear from you and to how they can improve the content of the Flower Arranger. Please contact Jan Meloy (Chairman) Editorial Team at NAFAS, Osborne House, 12 Devonshire Square, London. EC2M 4TE.
Noticeboard – I have been sent a lot of information from NAFAS HQ, about the Diamond celebrations, various floral tours abroad with ECT Travel and the renovation of Osborne House (HQ). There is also a form to complete if you would like to be a steward at the national show. I will put all these on the notice board along with some leaflets about local Flower club events, which you may like to attend, so please do have a read.
BACS details – Name of Payee: WEFC. Account no: 40153660. Sort Code: 30 94 41. Reference: Surname (or part thereof). Followed by the Code for the event.
November 2018 Newsletter
Club Meeting– On Tuesday 20th November for our Christmas Demonstration we have not one, not two, but THREE Demonstrators. They are Angie Hyde, Jean Plaskett and Claire Bryant and their title is “WEE Three”. This will be a great evening of flower arranging not to be missed, so please bring a friend. Guests pay £6 on the door. The Club Competition for members is “Trio” An exhibit. There will be a flower raffle of all of the designs and refreshments will be available before and after the demonstration. The Sales Tableplan a BIG clearance so there will be lots available at £1 or less! We have our AGM on Tuesday 4thDecember 2017 at 7.30pm.This will be a social event after the business part of the evening! Non-members are very welcome to join us, and please don’t think we will rope you onto the committee, that’s already sorted! We will have a floral competition for members titled “A Pantomime” so that will get us into the Christmas spirit! Members and visitors vote for their favourite design by placing small change on a saucer in front of the design. The entry with the most money is then presented with the Molly Orford Cup. All money collected is then donated to the Sussex Kidney Trust. We also have a “Secret Santa” so if you are attending, please bring a small wrapped gift (less than £5 in value) and you will receive one in return at the end of the evening! A finger buffet will be supplied by the committee to end the year! We suggest a voluntary donation of £1 for refreshments. Flower Arranger– This is your last chance to order the Flower Arranger for 2018 as the order will go in after the meeting on 20thNovember. Please see Alex to place your order, cost £12.80. Members Day Tickets 4thMarch 2019. Yes, I know it’s a long way off, but I have to buy these tickets at Council on 19thNovember. Tickets are £15 each and thespeaker is the actress Sue Hodge and the Demonstrator is Lucy Ellis whose title is "Wonderland". Outing - NAFAS Floral Art and Design Show 9thAugust 2019 We are planning to go to the National show on Friday 9thAugust. We have a coach booked and the cost for the coach, entrance to the show and the driver tip will be £33.00pp. I have invited the Horsham Flower Club to join us on this trip. You are very welcome to bring friends, but payment in full is requested. Once the coach is full we will operate a waiting list. Michelle will be taking names. Payment by cheque to Warnham Flower Club or by BACS Code NAT98 or cash. Possible Workshop– We are considering running a Workshop in November or early December 2019 with Julie Higgins (Felting Designer), probably on a Saturday morning to learn how to make Felt Christmas decorations, Flora, Fauna or woodland animals. Michelle will bring some photos of Julies work to our meeting. If this is something you would like to take part in please speak to Michelle on Tuesday. If we have enough interest this workshop will be booked and more details will be given nearer the time. Horsham District Year of Culture 2019 We are planning on being involved with some of the other Flower Clubs in the District to promote the art of Flower Arranging and maybe get some more members. We in Warnham have put together a working party and once I have met the other Chairmen I will be able to give you more information. If you would like to be involved please speak to me at the meeting Refreshment Board– At the meeting on Tuesday 20thNovember I will pass around the refreshment board for 2019. Ideally, we need 2 ladies each month to make tea and coffee for the members and visitors and wash up. Tea, coffee, sugar and all washing up bits are supplied. You only have to bring milk and either buy some biscuits or cake or if you would prefer, bake some. You can give your costs with a receipt to Sonia our Treasurer. I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting on 20th November, Joyce Skeet Chairman.
October 2018 Newsletter
By the number of members who came up to me after the September meeting and the emails I received everyone enjoyed the demonstration by Jennifer Thompson. Alex will be taking orders for the 2019 Flower Arranger. Cost is £12.80, payable by cheque, BACS (details from Alex) or cash. If you have ordered and have not collected and paid £20 for your ticket for Members day on 5thNovember, please see Michelle King. The speaker at 11.15 is Kathryn Stangaard “Sound of Bow Bells”. Then in the afternoon at 1.45 National and International Demonstrators Hans Haverkamp and Bill Dixon are demonstrating “Going Dutch”. You can pay by cheque, BACS (details from Michelle) or by cash. There was an interesting article in the RHS September issue of The Garden titled ”Florists call for foam alternatives”. The article noted that all the flowers used for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in May at St George’s Chapel, were created without floral foam. Floral foam in non-biodegradable and has been used in floristry since the 1950’s. Used for its convenience, light weight and ability to hold and store water, it provides a secure base for stabilizing stems. However, it is made of phenol formaldehyde resin, a main ingredient of Bakelite and much of it ends up in landfill where it may take centuries to break down. Also, many florists wash floral foam debris down the sink, potentially sending plastic directly into watercourses and the oceans. Work is continuing on developing more environmentally friendly substitutes, but Oasis Marketing Director Anthony Hart said “Technology is holding us back.” If you would like to read the full article, I have pinned one to the notice board, or I can email you a copy. Maybe we at flower club can consider doing our bit? Competitions using chicken wire, tubes and pin holders? What do you all think?? On 16thOctober, our demonstrator will be Christina Payne and her title is “All the time in the World”. The club competition for members is “Back in time / Looking back” An exhibit. 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Refreshments available and of course lots to buy on the sales table. I look forward to seeing you there, Joyce Skeet Chairman.
September 2018 newsletter
Welcome back everyone, and I hope you have had a nice holiday if you have been away Our next meeting is on Tuesday 18thSeptemberand Jennifer Thompsonwill be our demonstrator. Her title is “A Floral Workout” and the competition will be “In the Pink” – An exhibit. The Sussex Area Show “Razzel Dazzel”was held in Henfield Hall on Saturday 8thSeptember and was a huge success. The Town Cryer walked around Henfield encouraging people to come and have a look at the wonderful floral exhibits in the Area competition and to have refreshments in the Marquee at the back. My congratulations go to Lorna H for entering in two classes. Her exhibits were beautiful. The Demonstration by Coral Gardiner was fabulous. Her title of “The Wow Factor” was very apt. Her flowers, chat and humour had us all entranced and entertained for the two hour demonstration. Four of your committee ran the Tombola and made £362.42 in aid of the Sussex Kidney Trust. Payments Sonia (our treasurer) has suggested to make the accounting of money easier, that all future payments for Members Days, Flower Arranger and Membership for 2019 be paid either by cheque to Warnham Evening Flower Club or by BACS transfer. Christmas Cards and Calendars? If anyone wants cards or a calendar for 2019, please email or phone me or see me at the meeting on 18thSeptember. Flower Arranger Magazine As you already know, the Flower Arranger is the must-have publication for every flower lover. We would absolutely love each and every one of you to benefit from the greatly reduced cover price of only £3.20 for each magazine. Alex Fairbrother is our friendly Flower Arranger Officer at our club and she will be taking renewals and new subscriptions during the September and October meetings, before placing our order in November. The cost is only £12.80 for the year. Payment can be made by cheque made payable to Warnham Evening Flower Club or by BACS transfer. If you use BACS can you please email Alex at [email protected] to let her know. Members Day on 5thNovember. Michelle King has the tickets so please see her on 18thSeptember. You can pay by BACS Transfer in advance (see Payments) or by cheque to Sonia on Club night. Again if you use BACS please email Michelle on [email protected] Craft items There will be a box of craft items on the sales table on Tuesday night, i.e. lace making, tapestry etc. do come and have a look! I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday evening. Joyce Skeet, Chairman
July 2018 Newsletter
We are having a Workshop “Vegetative Parallel Design” on Tuesday 17thJuly with Margaret Trepant. If you need a worksheet of “Ingredients to bring” please phone me on 01403270089 or email me on [email protected]. There is no club competition this month. Refreshments will be served throughout the workshop. Sussex Area Show on Saturday 8thSeptember 2018 entitled “Razzle-Dazzle”in Henfield Hall. National Demonstrator Coral Gardiner will be demonstrating at 2pm. Her title is “The Wow Factor”. Tickets are £10 each from Carol Lathleiff 01903817187. I have schedules for the show so if you are interested in competing please see me. Staging and Judging will take place on Friday 7thSeptember. Warnham are running the Tombola so I need more volunteers to help on 8thSeptember. The more we have the better, so we can share out time slots. If you can help please see me or Pamela during the evening. If you have any unwanted gifts or would like to donate some prizes please bring them to the workshop and give to Pamela Franczak. There will be trade stands in a marquee in the grounds of Henfield Hall, together with an outside catering company offering very reasonable prices on a range of light refreshments. Jan Law the National Chairman of NAFAS will be attending. Members Day November 5th- HenfieldHall - I will be attending the Area council meeting in August when I have to submit the order for Members Day tickets for November. AM Speaker: Kathryn Stangaard - Sound of Bow Bells PM National Demonstrators: Hans Haverkamp and Bill Dixon - Going Dutch I know it’s a long way off but Michelle will be taking names so I can order the tickets. Can you please bring a cheque for £20 made payable to Warnham Evening Flower Club to the July or September meeting? If you would prefer to pay by BACS please speak to Sonia (Treasurer) at the workshop on 17thJuly. Refunds will only be made in the event of resale of your ticket. Correspondence- We have had a lovely letter from the Festival team of St Mary’s, thanking Pam Brinkler and her team for taking part in the Flower Festival this year. The Festival raised £4005 which will be used for the Church Conservation and Renewal project. Outing to Mig Kimpton- If you are going on the outing, you should have received information from Michelle. If not please call her on 01303 732652. Donations – Julia Bethune has very kindly donated a lot of Flower Arranging items. There are containers of various sizes, lovely dried material, dried flowers, sparkly stuff, ribbons and so much more! All are in very good condition so we plan to put everything out for sale at the workshop. You might find just what you were looking for, so do come along and have a look! There is no meeting in August so we will meet again on Tuesday 18thSeptember. The demonstrator is Jennifer Thompson and her title is “A Floral Workout”. The club Competition is “In the Pink”. I look forward to see you on Tuesday 17thJuly, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
June 2018 Newsletter
Open Meetingis on Tuesday 19thJune7pm for 7.30pm start. Robin White, Area Demonstratoris demonstrating and his title is “Wooden it be lovely”. Tickets are £11 each from Michelle King 01403 732652 or on the door which includes refreshments. All designs by Robin will be raffled and there will also be a General Raffle and a Jewellery stall so please encourage all your friends to come along and have a lovely evening. Chelsea Flower Show- Congratulations to Gaenor Circus and Claire Bryant for achieving Silver at this very competitive show. Well done ladies. Chichester Flower Festival“This Earthly Paradise” took place 31stMay – 2ndJune and the floral displays were magnificent. Well done to those from Warnham Flower Club who took part – Angie Hyde, Jean Plaskett, Gaenor Circus, Val Bellam, Sonia Summerfield and Lesley Etherton. St Mary’s Flower Festival “Inspired” 14th- 18thMay, - Not to be missed! Pam Brinkler and her team, Ilona Brockbank and Gloria Hurrell did a fabulous display using the pulpit for “The Divine Comedy” - Dante Alighieri. I hope you will be able to go along and see all the wonderful floral designs around the church. Sussex Area Show on Saturday 8thSeptember 2018 entitled “Razzle-Dazzle”in Henfield Hall. National Demonstrator Coral Gardiner will be demonstrating at 2pm. Her title is “The Wow Factor”. Tickets are £10 each from Carol Lathleiff 01903817187. I have schedules for the show so if you are interested in competing please see me. Staging and Judging will take place on Friday 7thSeptember. Tombola Prizes to Pamela Franczak please. Olive Stanford’s Legacy – Having discussed this with our President, Elizabeth Arthur (who knew Olive well), your committee have decided not to make a banner in her memory but to hold the money in a reserve fund to be used if the club faces any significant, unexpected expenditure in the future. I look forward to see you on Tuesday 19thJune,
Joyce Skeet, Chairman
May 2018 Newsletter
The demonstrator for the 15th May meeting will be Elsie Chapman and her title is “Interior Designs”. The club competition for members is Fantasy – An exhibit. Members Day - Lunch in a Box on June 11that Clair hall. I still have 2 tickets £18 each. Please phone me on 01403270089 if you or another member would like to go. Outingto Mig Kimpton’s house on 21stAugust 2018, Coffee on arrival, Garden Tour, Demonstration and Lunch. Cost £42. If you have booked a place on the outing please pay Michelle King (Events Secretary) the balance at the May meeting. St Mary’s Flower Festival – 14th- 18thMay, - Not to be missed! Our Open Meetingis on Tuesday 19thJune7pm for 7.30pm start. Robin White (AN Area Demonstrator)is demonstrating and his title is “Wooden it be lovely”. Tickets are £11 each from Michelle King 01403 732652 which includes refreshments. All designs by Robin will be raffled and there will also be a General Raffle so please encourage all your friends to come along and have a lovely evening. Sussex Area Show on Saturday 8thSeptember 2018 entitled “Razzle-Dazzle”in Henfield Hall. I will collect schedules at the May Council meeting and have them at club night. If you are interested in competing please see me. Staging and Judging will take place on Friday 7thSeptember. Warnham have been asked to run the Tombola. I need more volunteers to help run the Tombola on 8thSeptember. The more we have the better, so we can share out time slots. If you can help please see me or Pamela during the evening. If you have any unwanted gifts or would like to donate some prizes please bring them on club nights and give to Pamela Franczak. General Data Protection Regulations Introduction- As many of you are aware, the law governing the holding of personal data is changing. The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are a Europe-wide set of regulations that come into effect on 25thMay 2018 and are the biggest change to data protection law in twenty years. Under these regulations, we must provide members of the club with information including: our purposes for processing your personal data, our retention periods for that personal data and who it will be shared with, if anyone. This is called “privacy information” and must be regularly reviewed and where necessary updated. We must take the appropriate technical and practical measures to ensure that the security of the data we collect, cannot be used in an unauthorised or unlawful way and that it is protected against accidental loss, destruction or damage. Warnham Evening Flower Club has applied to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office for Data Protection.
Data Protection Consent How Warnham Evening Flower Club uses your contact data.
We use your data to keep you informed of Club activities as well as providing you with news and information on events from Sussex Area and NAFAS.
Our preferred method of contact is by email for its efficiency and speed and cost, but we may use your postal address, for example, to send club newsletters or other information if you are unable to attend a meeting, and your phone details, for example, to check on arrangements for an outing.
Contact details of committee members, where necessary, are included on publicity material such as Membership Cards and flyers for Open meetings.
Your data is NOT shared with anyone outside the Club.
At our 15thMay meeting there will be a consent form on your chair to complete. Please return it once completed to the box on the edge of the stage. Each year on subscription renewal you will be requested to sign a new consent form for Data Protection. I would like to emphasise to club members that if they do not reply, they will no longer receive any Area or Club information.
Biodegradable Oasis - Maxlife Following the last meeting when Lucinda Knapman used Biodegradable Oasis, we decided to investigate it further. We will stock Maxlife on the sales table and it will cost £1.15 a block. Maxlife Oasis is brown rather than green, so it can be easily distinguished from standard foam. The information says - Maxlife provides longer life for flowers - UP TO 50% LONGER - than in previous floral foam. Biodegradability - OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife is made up of a specially developed formulation which actively attracts the microbes needed to break it down once it goes into the ground. Bio Foam has been proven to biodegrade 51.5% within 365 days in biologically active landfill conditions. BUT- All biodegradable means is that the material degrades when exposed to the elements and after a certain time. It has always been perceived to have a value when waste is put into a landfill site. However, increasingly, because of the paucity of landfill sites, waste is being incinerated – and that includes waste from West Sussex. When waste is incinerated, biodegradability becomes irrelevant. The problem with biodegradable materials and composting is two-fold. Firstly, biodegradable products rarely degrade within a time span that is consistent with the turning of the rest of the waste in the composter into compost. So, you find that everything has composted except the biodegradable material. Secondly, the fact that a material is biodegradable does not mean it has any intrinsic value to add to what is in the composter. Thank you Gaenor for getting the facts. So the bottom line is that you can’t put Biodegradable Oasis in your Green Bin! Legacy from Olive Stanford We are considering commissioning / making an Embroidered Cloth / Screen of applique flowers to stand at the front of the stage with the legacy left by Olive Stanford. I have been in touch with the Embroiderers’ Guild in Horsham for ideas but without a specific design, colours, flower type and how we could display it they are unable to help at the moment. Are there any members with design, stitching or embroidery skills interested in helping me to take this project forward? I believe this could be very special to Warnham and would be displayed at all our meetings once completed. I look forward to see you on Tuesday 15thMay, Joyce Skeet, Chairman
April 2018 Newsletter
I hope you all had a nice Easter and that you haven’t been washed away with all the rain? Apologies for not being at the March meeting, but I was in Ireland as my mum was admitted to hospital and is still there.
The demonstrator for April will be Lucinda Knapman and her title is “Fabulous Flowers”. The competition for members is The WOW Factor – An exhibit. The demonstrator for the 15th May meeting has changed. Elsie Chapman will now be demonstrating instead of Cherie Mendes. Her title will be “Interior Designs”. Members Day - Lunch in a Box on June 11that Clair hall. If you requested a ticket please pay Michelle £18 cash or cheque. Outingto Mig Kimpton’s house on 21stAugust 2018, Coffee on arrival, Garden Tour, Demonstration and Lunch. Cost £42. If you have booked a place on the outing please pay Michelle King (Events Secretary) another £10 at the April meeting or the rest of the money if you prefer. Spreading the cost over a few months makes it easier to budget. Horley Flower Clubare holding an Open Meeting on 5thJune, with Lee Berrill and Alan Smith, their title is “It Takes Two” at The Regent Hall, Horley, 7pm for 7.45pm start. I have been sent 4 tickets and they are £10 each. If anyone would like to go please see me. (Cheques payable to Horley Flower Club please). Our Open Meetingis on Tuesday 19thJune7pm for 7.30pm start. Robin Whiteis demonstrating and his title is “Wooden it be lovely”. Tickets are £11 each from Michelle King 01403 732652 which includes refreshments. There will also be a General Raffle so please encourage all your friends to come along and have a lovely flowery evening. We have been contacted by a lady who is getting married on 18thAugust in Rusper Church, requesting flower arranging help with flowers for the alter and font and some small table arrangements for the reception. I have two ladies willing to help but feel a couple more would make it easier, That is if we agree to get involved. Please email me or speak to me at the April meeting. Sussex Area will be holding an Area Show on Saturday 8thSeptember 2018 entitled “Razzle-Dazzle”in Henfield Hall. Schedules will be available at the May Council meeting. Staging and Judging will take place on Friday 7thSeptember. Warnham have been asked to run the Tombola. I need a few more volunteers to help run the Tombola on 8thSeptember. The more we have the better so we can share out time slots. If you can help please see me or Pamela during the evening. If you have any unwanted gifts or would like to donate some prizes please bring them on club nights and give to Pamela Franczak. I look forward to seeing you on 17thApril. Joyce Skeet, Chairman