John Chennell August 2018

It was a very hot evening last Tuesday so we were delighted to welcome a good audience of members and friends to our successful Open Evening – held in August for the first time. Due to the extreme weather this year John Chennell admitted he had had to to change his ideas from when he first gave us the title of ‘Shades of August’ over twelve months ago. Consequently we saw seed heads, foliage and flowers more reminiscent of Autumn being included in his arrangements.
As always John’s love and knowledge of gardening shone through and we appreciated his tips on design and mechanics. He used a very wide selection of home grown garden material including poppy and phlomis seed heads, shrub honeysuckle, honesty, fennel, horseradish and silver elaeagnus. Flowers included sunflowers, larkspur, agapanthus, roses, asters and delphiniums – a real mixture of Summer and early Autumn.
A wide variety of arrangements provided a stunning stage display and the vote of thanks incorporating the words ‘fantastic, fabulous and phenomenal’ summed up the audience’s reaction and appreciation.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the evening in any way – from preparing refreshments at 5pm to clearing the stage at 10pm. The refreshing refreshments on a very hot evening were very much appreciated.
A couple of pictures below give an indication of John’s talent and expertise.