Members Day 2022
Michael Bowyer MBE speaking about “Three Remarkable Ladies`
Members Day is always our big get together of the year. It is when every club member is invited to join the area team for a social event to raise funds to train area judges, demonstrators, speakers and teachers at Thornden Hall in Chandlers Ford.
Joan Gittings greets members from Fleet Flower Club
This years event started with a warm welcome from our Chairman Joan Gittings and President Janice Viveash. Then members mingled and caught up with one another.
Members mingled and caught up on all the latest news
A coffee and a spot of shopping came next with plants from Rob Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, flower arranging sundries from South East Flowers, gifts and cards from our area publications team lead by Carole Norman, Italian handbags and gloves from Love is Peace, scarves and clothes from All Wrapped Up and vintage vases from Pip Bensley.
Carole Norman and Margo Crouch busy with customers
Then Michael Bowyer kicked off the entertainment with the fascinating stories of Rachel Ruysch, Mary Delany and Clarice Cliff. The three artists worked with paint, paper and clay, all from different eras, but all inspired by flowers.
His talk was wonderful, full of insights into their lives and illustrated with beautiful images of their work. A delicious lunch followed from TASTE Dining Company for those that chose the formal option, the others shared their picnic lunches together.
Then there was a chance to visit our area team to find out what was happening in education, media, The Flower Arranger magazine and speaking and have a go at the tombola.
Val Hockley manning our education display featuring designs from The Flower Arranger Magazine and talking about our NAFAS Workshop Leaders course.
Our media and flower arranger stations
Then it was time to get back to the theatre to see the wonderful David Thompson demonstrate and get raffle tickets to win his wonderful creations.
David Thomson weaving his magic in the demonstration