MAY rewarded us with a glorious sunny evening for our meeting and the weather encouraged an excellent attendance.

Mary Yeates welcomed everyone and shared the sad news of the death of founder member and former club president Elsie Courtney.

We were treated to a demonstration by Veronica Coe entitled "Bursting Buds & Trembling Twigs". Her first placement was a large basket full of spring flowers in yellows and lilacs suitably entitled "A country garden".

The interesting basketwork continued in the second arrangement with a tall slim green wicker vase. this lent itself well to the tall modern upright display of peach roses and deep pink dendrobium orchids with a backdrop of large fatsia leaves.

Next, using a large bowl, two huge harts tongue leaves provided an interesting centre point shoulder to shoulder with red heliconias.These were complemented by red/yellow tulips and large yellow orchids with deep red centres.

A more classical "stately home" arrangement followed with peach lilies, scented cream stocks and peach and orange roses at the foot and top of a gothic arch. The final display was mounted on an enormous metal frame entwined with twigs and canes. This supported three arrangements of cream stocks, stargazer lilies, deep pink dendrobium orchids and Aqua roses.

The competition theme was "A gem of an idea" this proved very popular with an extremely high standard of entries.

The ivy covered jewel box by Lisa Sheldon was a worthy winner, a very creative design which involved cosiderable patience and hardwork.

Our next meeting in St Peters Church Hall is on Tuesday June 12th at 7.30 featuring Christine Peer with her "Fabric and Fabrication"

Visitors are always welcome