Wickham Market Flower Club Report

Wickham Market Flower Club

Report for meeting dated 23rd May 2024

June our Chairman, opened the meeting, welcoming both members and visitors. She thanked everyone who supported our recent Fashion Show on 17th. This had been a hugely successful evening, enjoyed by all those attending and also the models. Some beautiful clothes were paraded for us and hopefully many purchases were made later in the evening.

The shortage of Committee members was again brought to the attention of everyone. This is now getting serious as we have committee members doing 2/3 jobs each. A few more members would at least half the workload. Do speak to a committee member to find out more.

The Advanced Practice piece was won by Sue cotton and the Single Stem was won by Lorna Davis. Well done ladies.

We were then introduced again to Paula, one of our own members. She was kind enough to stand in at short notice to do a talk on the History of the Chelsea Flower Show with accompanying floral arrangements and accessories.

The first RHS show at Chelsea was held at the Royal Chelsea Hospital In1913 and was a three day event. It was held in a single marquee and was known as the Great Spring Show. After the War ended the provision of tents was increased. The first type of show garden was a Rock garden. These were very popular and Paula represented this by showing us how to construct a self supporting Terrarium. For this she used shingle, moss and deactivated charcoal. Please remember you must NOT take wild flowers or moss from public areas however you can grow and use from your own garden.

She also had constructed a design to represent the gateway opening to Chelsea and a silk flower arrangement on a garden fork, these were followed by a truly impressive design made in a self constructed marquee. An arrangement for the Chelsea Pensioners portrayed a Shako uniform hat and a double ended spray with a painting of one of the pensioners.

All floral foam is now banned from the exhibits in line with the long term ecological effect. During Her Majesty the Queens reign she visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show over 50 times.

Paula gave us lots of information on the rescue work she does for animals and cancer charities as well as covering the stage area with a delightful array of arrangements.

Thank you Paula along with your. Helpers Carley and Carol. It was another enjoyable evening for our Flower Club.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 27th June at Wickham Market Village Hall. We open at 6.30pm for 7.00pm start. The demonstrator will be Madeline Bradley – The Splendour of the Season. Refreshments, Sales table and Raffle. It would be lovely to see you. Do come along as a Free visitor.

PS……..Tickets have now sold out for the Group Open Meeting on Friday 28th June.

Mandy PRYKE