Valentine's day in Old Buckenham

Romantic flowers

 

The members and visitors at Breckland Flower and Garden Club’s February meeting enjoyed a talk and flower arranging demonstration entitled 'Cupids Arrow' by club member Christine Hewson.
The first design consisted of all white flowers for ‘innocence’, freesia and eustoma in baskets. This was followed by a lovely romantic table arrangement with red candles with red/pink rose buds and spray carnations arranged on a metal candelabram. Also included was a heart-shaped foam base with rose buds, alstromeria, carnations, a selection of foliage and also ribbon and phormium leaves woven around the heart. A hand-tied gift bag of a dozen red roses for love, a cuddly bear, balloon and a large Valentine card were added.
This was followed by three designs arranged in floral foam in pots to resemble hand-tied bouquets. First was a design of cornus twigs with red and pink tulips (perfect love), then one of red anemones (unfading love) and a third of blue hyacinth (constancy).
A design of Cupid’s arrow followed, palm leaves with zantedeschia lilies (beauty) and cymbidium orchid (virility). Also a wire heart constructed by Christine with coloured wire, sisal and beads, with orchid heads and zantedeschia lilies woven in.
The last design was of three tall metal pots including stargazer lilies (wealth and prosperity), pink roses (love and gratitude) and included a candle. These were copied from the designs Christine had at her wedding as she was celebrating her wedding anniversary on Valentines day.
All the arrangements were raffled. Christine's knowledge of her plant material and tips were warmly welcomed, also her flower meanings, the history of Valentine and the customs of the day.
The monthly competition was for an arrangement depicting 'Romance is in the Air'. The Christine Hewson trophy was awarded for the best exhibit and it went to novice class winner Alyson Walker with the runner-up being Sylvia Briggs.
The Breckland Flower and Garden Club meet at Old Buckenham Village Hall, Abbey Road, on the second Thursday of the month. Their next meeting is on Thursday 14 March starting at 2pm and it will be the club’s AGM followed by a talk and demonstration entitled 'Quilts and flowers'.
All visitors are welcome (£4) and for more information call Christine on 01953 454528.