NEWS 2014
Area AGM - November 2014
A busy day with our AGM running smoothly giving time to shop at the varied stalls providing ideas for Christmas, food, drink and presents. Some presents being for ourselves with shoes, plants and wonderful wood. Following a superb meal the afternoons treat was a demonstration by Lilias Hoskins.
The Festival Flower and Food Show Blackpool 2015
A dedicated website has been launched today (3rd November). The site contains all the information you will need as either a competitor or visitor. The new 'Designer of the Year Competition is also fully explained.
Follow this link - http://festiveflowerfoodshow.co.uk
A dedicated website has been launched today (3rd November). The site contains all the information you will need as either a competitor or visitor. The new 'Designer of the Year Competition is also fully explained.
Follow this link - http://festiveflowerfoodshow.co.uk
NATIONAL AGM AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2014
This event took place in London on Wednesday 8 October. The results of the competition were announced and prizes presented. Winners photographs were displayed. Congratulations to Elaine Foreman who was awarded a First, Third and Very Highly Commended in the black and white class entitled 'Back to the Future'. Pictures see gallery or NAFAS website.
This event took place in London on Wednesday 8 October. The results of the competition were announced and prizes presented. Winners photographs were displayed. Congratulations to Elaine Foreman who was awarded a First, Third and Very Highly Commended in the black and white class entitled 'Back to the Future'. Pictures see gallery or NAFAS website.
AREA FLOWERS AND MUSIC AFTERNOON
This event took place at Stannington Village Hall on Wednesday 24 September. The demonstrator was Helen Jamieson and the music songs by 'Friends'. See gallery for pictures of some of the floral designs made.
This event took place at Stannington Village Hall on Wednesday 24 September. The demonstrator was Helen Jamieson and the music songs by 'Friends'. See gallery for pictures of some of the floral designs made.

Flowers@Oxford
Congratulations to Cutting Edge Club represented by Sally Brass and Kathleen Dodds for their winning entry into the competitions held at this event 22-24 August 2014. A stunning design representing Rene Magritte's work. He was a Belgian surrealist painter.
Congratulations to Cutting Edge Club represented by Sally Brass and Kathleen Dodds for their winning entry into the competitions held at this event 22-24 August 2014. A stunning design representing Rene Magritte's work. He was a Belgian surrealist painter.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY JUNE 2014
The Area asked to arrange flowers at Westminster Abbey. The task was ably undertaken by Philida Irving and Pam Greenhill on our behalf see the picture to the side and others in the Gallery. I am assured that the candles were not straight and the mosaic floor was not allowed to be walked upon making photographing and indeed arranging a little more challenging.
The Area asked to arrange flowers at Westminster Abbey. The task was ably undertaken by Philida Irving and Pam Greenhill on our behalf see the picture to the side and others in the Gallery. I am assured that the candles were not straight and the mosaic floor was not allowed to be walked upon making photographing and indeed arranging a little more challenging.

WORLD SHOW 2014 - DUBLIN
Congratulations go to Pauline Lund - her design gained a well deserved Commended in the class 'Quietude'.
Congratulations go to Pauline Lund - her design gained a well deserved Commended in the class 'Quietude'.
MEMBERS' DAY May 29
A full day was enjoyed by many of our members. After a short business meeting we were entertained by Carolynne Sorrell from Dumfries with a talk entitled 'Golden Times'. After some retail therapy and an excellent meal we were entertained again with a demonstration by John Chennell from Wellingborough. He shared with us his skill as both a floral artist and his extensive knowledge as a gardener.
A full day was enjoyed by many of our members. After a short business meeting we were entertained by Carolynne Sorrell from Dumfries with a talk entitled 'Golden Times'. After some retail therapy and an excellent meal we were entertained again with a demonstration by John Chennell from Wellingborough. He shared with us his skill as both a floral artist and his extensive knowledge as a gardener.
'THE LONELY BOUQUET'
Philida, Area Chairman, had a phone call from Tyne Tees TV. asking about the 'Lonely
Bouquet'. The upshot is that she is meeting a crew at Housesteads Fort car park
this afternoon (Friday 2nd May). The weather man Ross will interview her so hopefully N&D
will make the local news this evening. She will put quite a few bouquets in
the car parks along the wall.
We have also featured in the Northumberland Gazette with a photo and a good
write up.
A Thank You. This has just been received by the Webmaster. May 3 rd. " Thank you so much for the delightful posy .It warmed my heart and raised my spirits. I hope the NAFAS initiative will have done the same for many others".
Another Thank You. This was sent to the owner of a tearooms in Alnwick where a bouquet was left outside."Thank you for the posy. It did look lonely so I took it all the way to Leeds and gave it to my youngest daughter who has had a rather rough time lately. I haven't a computer so I am writing in the hope you will pass on my thanks to the organisers of this lovely idea".
Another Thank You. This was sent to the owner of a tearooms in Alnwick where a bouquet was left outside."Thank you for the posy. It did look lonely so I took it all the way to Leeds and gave it to my youngest daughter who has had a rather rough time lately. I haven't a computer so I am writing in the hope you will pass on my thanks to the organisers of this lovely idea".

SPRING FLING 2014
Darlington Flower Club held its usual Spring Fling event at Headlam Hall Hotel organised yet again by Phyl Hodgson.
The day commenced with coffee and home-made biscuits together with carious sales tables selling jewellery, clothing, handbags, shoes, Dior items and make-up. This was followed by Bucks Fizz and an excellent lunch.
After lunch Jane Currie (Chairman) introduced Colin Anderson who originally worked as a junior chef and later as a pastry chef to the Queen. He was born a farmer’s son in Arkengarthdale and was educated at Richmond. After school he took a 2-year course in catering. He told everyone about his experiences working for the Queen at various venues includiong Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Balmoral, Holyrood Palace and on the royal yacht Britannia. He travelled all over the world with the Queen and her family. Following his retirement he now lives in Harrogate and spends 3 days per week working in a local hospice. He was thanked by Peggy Sampson (President).
As a result of a very successful day a donation of £1370 will be made at the May meeting of the Club to the Mammogram Trust at Darlington Memorial Hospital towards a surgical Specimen Radiography System which will be used for patients whilst they are under anaesthetic to check all the cancer tissues have been removed. Various members of the Club have had surgery for breast cancer and the charity was suggested by a member of the Club.
Photograph shows from left to right – Phyl Hodgson (Programme Secretary, Christina Steel (Secretary) Greta Metcalfe (Treasurer), Peggy Sampson (President) and Jane Currie (Chairman).
Darlington Flower Club held its usual Spring Fling event at Headlam Hall Hotel organised yet again by Phyl Hodgson.
The day commenced with coffee and home-made biscuits together with carious sales tables selling jewellery, clothing, handbags, shoes, Dior items and make-up. This was followed by Bucks Fizz and an excellent lunch.
After lunch Jane Currie (Chairman) introduced Colin Anderson who originally worked as a junior chef and later as a pastry chef to the Queen. He was born a farmer’s son in Arkengarthdale and was educated at Richmond. After school he took a 2-year course in catering. He told everyone about his experiences working for the Queen at various venues includiong Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Balmoral, Holyrood Palace and on the royal yacht Britannia. He travelled all over the world with the Queen and her family. Following his retirement he now lives in Harrogate and spends 3 days per week working in a local hospice. He was thanked by Peggy Sampson (President).
As a result of a very successful day a donation of £1370 will be made at the May meeting of the Club to the Mammogram Trust at Darlington Memorial Hospital towards a surgical Specimen Radiography System which will be used for patients whilst they are under anaesthetic to check all the cancer tissues have been removed. Various members of the Club have had surgery for breast cancer and the charity was suggested by a member of the Club.
Photograph shows from left to right – Phyl Hodgson (Programme Secretary, Christina Steel (Secretary) Greta Metcalfe (Treasurer), Peggy Sampson (President) and Jane Currie (Chairman).
HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW
Congratulations to Sally Brass Cutting Edge and Julia Loudon Shildon Flower Club and Club Phoenix for their awards gained at . Pictures to be found in the Gallery.
Congratulations to Sally Brass Cutting Edge and Julia Loudon Shildon Flower Club and Club Phoenix for their awards gained at . Pictures to be found in the Gallery.
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATORS TESTS Shildon
These tests took place on 1st and 2nd of April with our Area acting as hosts. It was an interesting occasion with many varied designs made by some understandably nervous people. The event was well supported which was of great comfort to the candidates. To those of you who did not attend we hope to have booked at least two of the demonstrators for our Area events next year.
Results are now published on the National website follow the link to the Demonstrators Committee section.
These tests took place on 1st and 2nd of April with our Area acting as hosts. It was an interesting occasion with many varied designs made by some understandably nervous people. The event was well supported which was of great comfort to the candidates. To those of you who did not attend we hope to have booked at least two of the demonstrators for our Area events next year.
Results are now published on the National website follow the link to the Demonstrators Committee section.
National Flower Arranging Day and The Lonely Bouquet
Information regarding The Lonely
Bouquet has now been published on the NAFAS website – here is the
link
http://www.nafas.org.uk/content/The+Lonely+Bouquet.html This link gives all the information needed and the format for the tags to be attached to the flowers.
Nicki Chapman, our National Patron referring to the NAFAS logo suggested that under the NAFAS heading it would sound more appealing to have a caption which said Floral Design with Excellence.The thinking is that this says who we are and what we do.