A group of Committee Members met early in the morning at the Addison Centre Car Park to set up our stall for the Fun Day.  It was chilly and the grass was damp but the weather forecasters had promised a fine and dry day.  The time flew by as we erected our gazebo, displayed our tombola prizes and put up posters and notices on the information boards.  Before we knew it the public had started to drift in and we were underway!  We had books and floristry sundry items for sale, a marble game involving an upturned plant pot and a spoon, flower arrangements (excellently made by Sandra and Jean), and the main attraction which was a locked box and a bag of keys, the idea being to pick 3 keys out of the bag and try to open the door.  Successful participants then chose a tombola ticket to determine their prize.  By lunchtime more people had turned out and the sun was shining.  The books and plant pot game were very popular and we were kept very busy counting marbles and talking to passers by.  All too soon it was 4pm and time for us to pack away.  We were all tired but pleased with the day and made over £70 profit for the club as well as raising awareness of our group and hopefully attracting one or two new people to come along on a Tuesday evening.  Below are a few photo’s from the day:

On July 1st we were entertained for the evening by Jeanette Bell who created 6 lovely arrangements whilst recounting annecdotes about her life.  It was a beautiful Summer evening and 6 lucky ladies whose names got drawn out in the raffle went home with a flower arrangement each, created by Jeanette.  The photo’s of the evening can be seen below. 

A pleasant and amusing manner she put over her love of flowers from the very early age of 3 and entering local competitions and suceeding as a youngster.

Her work with flowers had been infuenced by Gregor Lersch.  We all very much appreciated her easy and colourful approach to floral work – plus the use of flower seed heads and greenery she had picked from her garden.

Some students from a local college decided to become members and we are delighted to be able to inspire the younger generation.

Tuesday 6th May was a lovely sunny evening. Members of the Flower Society got together at the Addison Centre along with a good number of visitors who were making their first visit to the group to be entertained by Elizabeth Wait who created some lovely and unusual arrangements along the theme of ‘Let’s twist again’. The twisting came in the form of woven leaves made from Bear Grass, twisted hazel branches, sisal, phormia leaves and other creative ideas. The results of her efforts can be seen below.

Linda Robinson has written a few words about her recent visit to London to a special Floral Luncheon:

On Wednesday 30th April, 8 members of Bfas went to The Waldorf Hotel in London to attend the 50th SSAFA (The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Asssociation) –  Forces Help Floral Luncheon.  We had a lovely time and there may well be photos from other people, but I’ve chosen four to give the flavour of the event.
 
Photo 1 This arrangement was done by Sandy Bailey, a National Demonstrator who spent some of her early years living in Bedford.   We had an opportunity to talk with Sandy about the possibility of her visiting our Club in 2010 our 50th Anniversary year.  Watch this website!!!
 
Photo 2  The Guest of Honour – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

Photo 3  This is Dr Christina Curtis  another national Demonstrator  who also had a wonderful arrangement on display.

Photo 4 This is Julia Clements OBE VMH, now 102 years old who had the original idea of organising a Luncheon in aid of the SSAFA charity and only retired from the organising committee on her 100th birthday!

In December 2007, Anne Firth was appointed as Chairman to the Home Counties Area of NAFAS. To give members a better understanding of how our local Club fits in with the bigger organisation, Anne kindly agreed to answer some questions for us. We hope you will find it both informative and interesting!

Q. When/ why did you join your first flower club?
A. I joined my first flower club in Harpenden in 1981 when I moved here.  I had been to flower arrangement classes previously and had been on the waiting list for a club in Cheshire where we had been living.  I thought it would be a good way to meet new people who had a similar interest to me.

Q. What does your role with NAFAS involve?
A. My role with NAFAS is largely administrative.  Organising events and seeing to the day to day running of the Area.

Q.  What are the best bits?                                    
A. Going round to the flower clubs in the Area and meeting the members

Q. ……and the worst?
A. There are no worst bits

Q. What is your favourite flower?
A. I do not have a favourite flower.  I like different flowers depending on the occasion.

Q. What piece of advice would you give to a new flower arranger?
A. Have a go and enjoy yourself.  Flower arranging is a very subjective art form and if you are satisfied with your arrangement, that is the most important thing, but always be open to new ideas as well.  Flower arrangers on the whole are very friendly people and are always ready to help and advise someone new to flower arranging.  Join a Flower Club!

Q. What/where was the most memorable arrangement you have seen?
A. I can’t pick out an individual arrangement as there have been many memorable ones.  I think the most memorable event I have been to was the WAFA show in Glasgow.

Q. Are there any special events planned for the NAFAS Golden anniversary next year that local clubs will be able to get involved in?
A. Local clubs will be able to attend the  Gala dinner in Coventry on 17th July.  There is also NAFAS Golden Fanfare Week beginning  Monday 26th January when clubs are asked to do arrangements to place in libraries etc.to promote their own club in particular and NAFAS in general.   There is also the Westminster Abbey Flower Festival in May.  At least one club from the Area will be invited to stage an exhibit at the Abbey.

Q. Anything else you want to say?
A. Support your club in any way you can and come along to Area events where you can meet like minded people.  The Area Officers would be delighted to see you at the Area Members’ Day and the Area Lunch etc. and finally, enjoy your flower arranging. Get involved!    

On Tuesday 1st April our visiting flower arranger was Jo Bromwich who created 6 arrangements using seasonal flowers such as tulips and Iris as well as lots of beautiful roses.

On Tuesday 4th December John Chennell visited us to create some flower arrangements with a theme of “The Magic of Christmas”.

Click on the small photos to see a full size image.

We had a lovely evening on Tuesday evening when Lesley Sturdy created 6 floral arrangements depicting the Changing Seasons. As usual a raffle was held and below are some photo’s of the lucky ladies who took away an arrangement created by Lesley as well as some general pictures:~

A group of Flower Society members had a lovely day on Saturday in the Church Hall at Kempston Church End where they were able to spend a whole day arranging flowers and trying out new designs expertly led by Ann Gray. The contemporary designs were based on 2 ideas featured in the Summer edition of ‘The Flower Arranger’ magazine and a selection of the results of the ladies efforts can be seen below.

 (Just click on the picture to see the full size photo)