A Good Friend of Dorset & Guernsey Area, The Rev. Mac passes away.

This announcement came from HQ.

It is with great sadness that we write to advise that Rev. Mac passed
away peacefully on Sunday 19th January 2020, a very good friend to
many who will be greatly missed.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Mac’s life will be held in First
Presbyterian (Non-Subscribing) Church, Dunmurry on Thursday 23rd
January at 1.00 pm followed by a committal in the adjoining burial
ground.

Flowers welcome or donations in lieu, if desired, to First
Presbyterian (Non-Subscribing) Church, Dunmurry, c/o Elwood & Capper
Ltd. Independent Funeral Directors 238 Kingsway, Dunmurry, BT17 9AE.

Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Sheila and family at
The Manse, Glebe Road, Dunmurry, Co Antrim BT17 0PN and I confirm a
card is being from Headquarters today.

Kind regards

Christina Curtis
National Chairman

Area Carol Service 2019 at Lady St Mary Church in Wareham

Around 100 members were entertained by Michael Bowyer MBE when he demonstrated at our Area Carol Service on 10th December. He introduced us to unusual plant materials and delighted us with his use of garden plant material. He gave us inspiration for decorating our homes and our places of worship. Members of Gillingham Flower Club cooked us a very tasty lunch and we returned to the church for our annual carol service. A lovely day of fun, friendship and flowers.

 

Michael’s final arrangement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael enjoying lunch with members.

Floral Fundamentals Part 2

Members from clubs across the Area came together for a workshop with National Tutor, Julia Harrison to study 3 floral designs. The day, the second organised by the Judges, Demonstrators, Education and Speakers committee was another great success. The arrangements created  looked stunning and everyone had a really enjoyable day.

Area AGM 2019

This beautiful pedestal by Denise Pharoah welcomed members to our AGM at Wimborne on 29th October. It was good to see so many members attend what was a very efficiently run and very informative Annual General Meeting.

 

Annette Parker the outgoing President is seen here receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers on her retirement from Sylvia Preston, Area Vice Chairman.

 

 

 

 

 

Irene Hickson takes the role of President for the next 2 years and received her badge from Sandra Taylor, Area Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie Diamond takes on the role of Vice President and received her badge from Sandra Taylor, Area Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flower Arranger salver was presented to Diana Holman of Bere Regis club, and cheques were presented to Elizabeth Witcomb of Broadstone & Corfe Mullen and Jane Nolting-May of Dorchester Floral Group, from Area Flower Arranger Officer Angela Edwards.

 

 

In the afternoon we had a fabulous demonstration by Elizabeth Graham entitled ” What a wonderful world”

Dorset and Guernsey Area Show 2019 (27-28th September) – ‘Autumn Medley’

The Springfields Hotel in Wareham was the venue for this exciting event. Sixteen classes (including photography) attracted a wide range of entries from many area clubs from both novice and experienced floral artists. The pictures below show just a few of their stunning exhibits highlighting Autumn in all its glory! Sincere thanks must go to our floral art judges, Michael Bowyer, MBE and Wendy Howden, and also to Norman Wiles LRPS, DPAGB who judged the photography classes.

 

Irene Hickson (Colehill) won Best in Show for her vibrant ‘Indian Summer’

 

Elizabeth Witcomb was judged Overall Runner-up with ‘Puddle-Jumping’

 

Rosemary Abrams and Dianne Pilliaert (Dorchester) – winners of Club Class A – ‘Harvest of Memories’ – with their arrangement named ‘Cider Making’

 

John Astley’s ‘Misty Morning’ was awarded the Isabel Crichton Cup for ‘Best Use of Colour’

 

Sheila Bendall (Bere Regis) won the ‘Mellow Fruitfulness’ Class with this lovely arrangement…

 

…and finally, here’s an example of the wonderful arrangements placed throughout the venue. This one was composed by Pat Cherrett and her team from Purbeck Flower Club.

 

(All photographs by Jane Nolting-May)