LATEST NEWS...........

In June we enjoyed arrangements by our own in-house team of demonstrators -'The Sweeties'. Five super talented members each created at least one arrangement under the title Pick and Mix.Carole was first up and demonstrated a triangular pedestal arrangement describing the proportions in terms of height and width for a visually balanced arrangment and how to avoid a 'flat' look at the front. Carole used an amazing variety of flowers in pinks and purples, all grown in her own garden; campanula, lisianthus, hosta foliage and flowers, geraniums, deep red heuchera foliage with a focal point of pink roses. Audrey and Angela also pre-made designs to show the outlines of the traditional shape of an assymetric triangle arrangement and a Hogarth curve. Barbara followed on and created a most delicious handtied bouquet using a domed wire/medalino frame within a wire wreath ring covered with wool, combining pale pink peonies and their foliage, sweet william (dianthus), delicately scented white freesias and gypsophila. She emphasised the importance of using a variety of contrasting textures and forms in the plant material. Amanda selected flowers that reminded her of 'Opal Fruits' with the lime green of single bloom chrysanths, the bright orange of Kenyan spray roses, the red of hypericum berries and the lemon of santini pompom chrysanths and put them together in imaginative, low, long table arrangements on a base of italian ruscus foliage that really interpreted the title of Pick and Mix. Sue followed on and used white carnations and apricot roses, with dark purple lisianthus highlights in a beautiful arrangment on top of a glass vase filled with fluffy white sisal and a second arrangement in a wicker-crescent-shaped stand. Our last arranger Marcia topped off the evening with a handtied bouquet with pink lilies, double white lisianthus, white and lilac freesias, white and magenta alstromeria and dark astrantia with pink roses which looked absolutely stunning and had used the remaining blooms in another beautiful basket arrangement. The whole evening was amazing. All the time they were demonstrating they were telling us some really interesting stories about their lives, giving us arranging and plant propagation tips. Many members remarked on what an enjoyable evening it had been and were delighted to win one of the arrangements in the raffle. Thank you to all of you who took part!

COMING UP...............

Don't forget our clubnight meetings from July 2026 onwards are being held at English Martyrs Church Hall in Vicarage Lane Horley while Regent Hall is refurbished.

On July 7th at clubnight we have one of our favourite demonstrators coming, who is also a member of our club; Duncan Ward. Duncan's demonstration is called 'Rottingdean Delights'. When Duncan came last time his title was a Taste of Brighton and we all learnt a lot about the history of Brighton. Please come and support Duncan and have an entertaining evening.

Our summer show is fast approaching: Summer Sizzler on Saturday July 11th. The closing date for entries is end of the day, Friday 26th June. It would be lovely to have a hall full of entries.Please contact Joyce if you want to enter stating which classes you want to exhibit in. The show will be held at English Martyrs Church Hall. Visitors are always welcome to the show which is open 1.30 - 4.30pm. Entry on the door is £4 for non-exhibitors. There will be delicious teas and cakes as well as some stunning flower arrangements, so do plan to pop in and see what we get up to. Free parking.

No Bring and Buy Table in July however, our Show Tombola this year is going to be a Bottle Tombola; all the prizes will be in bottles! Thank you for the generous donations you have provided so far. We still need a few more bottles eg beer, J2O, shower gel, jam, marmalade, chutneys or wrapped sweets ie Heroes, Celebrations or Quality Street to fill empty jars. Please bring items along to the July meeting.

Also, one of the raffle prizes at the show will be a hamper. We would like to fill it with some delicious items so if you are able to help out, Amanda is accepting donations of non perishable small food items in July. 

For all you church flower arrangers out there, a free demonstration of arranging church flowers in an eco friendly way is being held at All Saints Church, Merstham on Tuesday Morning 28th July at 11am. If this is you or you know someone who might be interested please invite them along but contact Janet Aslett to book places.

At our August meeting we have a Workshop, it will be an evening of Silk Painting flower designs and then framing them for use as cards or gifts. Janet will be running the evening and the cost will be £2.50 to cover materials.

A Summer Luncheon has been planned for Friday 21st August at 35 London Road South Merstham from 12.30pm. Sign up on the board at our July meeting. Cost £18 per person. Payment can be made at either our July or August meetings or by bank transfer. (Contact the Treasurer for bank details)