FLOWERS AT CHICHLEY

This event was the brainchild of Judith Blacklock, Director of the event, and promoted by Fleur Creative Lieven Hemschoote, Director of Fleur Events, leading the team. This was to be England’s answer to Alden Biesen.

The Stately Home became spectacular when florists and flower Arrangers dressed it with stunning designer exhibits.

When visitors entered the main hall there were gasps of delight and amazement. Arches of roses and phalaenopsis orchids greeted them. Each room, hallway and stairwell delighted the eye and stimulated the brain. How did they do that? The answer was planning, hard work, patience and skill.

The list of International and National designers was endless. Where else could you see demonstrations from people such as Gregor Lerch for the price of your entrance fee?

You were able to watch demonstrations in two areas and as the designs were completed they were all put on display so that you could get up close and see how it was done.

The Church was one of my favourite places. The green and white, modern designs, complemented the beautiful old building.

Land Art, Tree Dressing, Floating Exhibits and the Woodland walk. The different forms our art could take was endless.

There was also the opportunity to have hands on experience with workshops that were pre booked.

I was lucky enough to be there from Wednesday and saw the designs gradually being completed. I went one night to the main hall and saw about six people working on the large exhibit they were singing and laughing as they worked. I think that memory will stay with me as despite the pressure everyone seemed happy.

London and Overseas was well represented. Margot Cooper, Jan Law and Kathy Stangaard entered the land Art. Individual members of the Area Ann and Helen Sinclair took part in the Woodland Walk. Ann won a first and a trip to Belgium and Helen a third with several Flower Arranging books as the prize. Members of City Creations, Valerie Abrahams, Diane Brown, Valerie Brastock, Veronica Ferraray and Pam Ford made large panels to hang under the esplanaier trees and Patricia Ellis did the centre piece. The two days we had to set up the exhibits were wet and thundery. We ended up drying our underwear on our bodies with a hairdryer so that we could go out again. When I look at our Area Chairman next time she takes Council I will see her in a new light.

Diane was asked to take charge of the Tree Dressing and we went around in winter looking for suitable trees to photograph and put on the web site. Exhibitors then applied to Diane for an entry form. The only problem was they were hard to recognise once their foliage had grown .Diane and Husband Geoff re took them in all their summer finery.

We all had a wonderful time, made new friends and renewed old acquaintances. Above all it was a big learning curve.

I hope that it was a financial success so that it can be staged again.

Pam Ford

Pictures will be added shortly.

National Associate of Honour

We are pleased to announce that Susan Phillips was made a National Associate of Honour at the 2011 NAFAS A.G.M.

Area Chairman, Diane Brown sent a message on our behalf to congratulate her on her well deserved recognition of her work for our Area and NAFAS.