We had a fantastic day with Michael Bowyer guiding us through the opportunities which NAFAS offers us for training to be Judges, Demonstrators, Teachers and Speakers. 32 members attended and everyone entered into the exercises. We saw the talent of our members in their floral arrangements just using 5 flowers. We learned what the judges are looking for and impressed with our plant identification knowledge. We were very thankful to the 3 members who gave us terrific “of the cuff” demonstrations. The JDE&S committee were thrilled that a number of members indicated their interest in going on to do further training.

These pictures show the members designs, members judging exhibits and the 3 demonstration pieces.

Yesterday morning we were welcomed to our Annual General Meeting by these delightful Autumn arrangements.

During the AGM we were given lots of information regarding the activities of our Area and also the financial situation for the coming year. 

This day also saw the retirement as Area President of Irene Hickson. Irene has done 3 years as President due to the Covid Pandemic. We all wish to thank her for the support she has given to the Area during this time, Sylvia Preston, Area Chairman presented the Presidents badge to Carrie Diamond who will be the President, for the next 2 years.

After a tasty lunch we all relaxed for the amazing demonstration by National Demonstrator Vanessa Wellock. Here’s a taster of what we saw.

Irene Hickson’s President’s Day was a great success. Models had chosen 3 outfits from Julia’s House to parade to the audience and there were rails of very good second-hand clothes donated by Area members which sold at reasonable prices. Some fantastic bargains and lots of happy people went home with carrier bags.

Here are all the models in their evening outfits.

Area President thanking some of those who helped organise the day.

Owermoigne Flower Club held their Annual Club Show

with Owermoigne Horticultural Society.

Best in Show was won by Elizabeth Jolliffe for her design in the class Recycle/Reuse

Penelope Lane took  1st Prize in the class Mellow Fruitfulness.  

Janet Southorn took 1st Prize in the small scale class. The Queen’s Jubilee

A beautiful exhibit by Area President Irene Hickson, welcomed you to our Jubilee Flower Festival at Upton House, Poole 

The house was adorned with fantastic exhibits depicting different aspects of the Queen’s reign. The exhibits have been staged by many of our Area clubs.

Many more pictures are now available to view on the picture gallery page of this website.

We are delighted to congratulate Kinu Barsley on recently receiving the highest Ikenobo Diploma Award.

It is called Saiko-Shoku (saiko meaning highest, shoku-rank)

Kinu is an active member of 3 flower clubs, Dorchester, Owermoigne and Purbeck. She runs workshops and demonstrate both Ikenobo and western designs.

Sherborne Flower club members Philippa Louden and Eileen Fort promote National Flower Arranging day in Sherborne on behalf of Sherborne Flower Club, with the help of their 2 local supermarkets, Waitrose and Sainsburys