News 2018


Would you like to steward?

Stewarding at public events is an ideal opportunity to publicise our organisation and our clubs.  It can be great fun, and usually means you get free entry to the show. In 2019 we are looking for stewards at the following events:

RHS Chelsea: on public days 22-25th May 2019, plus press day on Mon 21st, and overnight staging on Sun 20th and Wed 23rd.  If you could help please contact Jilly Griffin.  More details about what is involved can be downloaded from Stewarding at RHS Chelsea

The NAFAS Diamond Floral Art and Design Show on public days 8-10th August and on staging day on 7th August.  If you are interested please download the application NAFAS Floral Flower Show – Stewarding Form

The Area Show at Blenheim Palace Flower Show on public days 21-23 June plus staging day on 20th.  More details on this will be available in the new year.


News from the 2018 AGM

The rose bowl for the club raising the most money for charity in 2018 was presented to Maidenhead Flower Club  for raising £1336.12.

The silver platter for the club which had the largest increase in orders for the Flower Arranger was awarded to Anne Turner from Sonning Flower Club.

The Penelope Everett silver bowl for the BB&O Person of the Year was presented jointly to Melissa Fletcher from Abingdon Flower Club and Jean Barker from Thame Flower Club in recognition of their outstanding work for their respective clubs. Jean will hold it for the first 6 months and then pass it to Melissa.

The new Diane Gill Memorial Trophy for the most innovative contemporary design of the year in any RHS, Area or NAFAS show was awarded to Shirley Sexton for her RHS Chelsea design which was also awarded Best in Second Session at that show.

Alison Vacher was elected as the new Area Treasurer. A gift card was given to Helen Smith as a Thank You for the work she has done over the last 6 years as area treasurer.

Jean Barker from Thame Flower Club brought Pudsey Bear and raised £278.50 for Children in Need – that’s £70 more than last year.

Alison Mount, the BB&O Area Chairman presented cheques for £7360 each to Susan Twitchett on behalf of the Footsteps Foundation and Sue Booys, Rector of Dorchester Abbey as a result of money raised at the Footsteps Flower Festival.  In addition each received specific donations and Gift Aid.

The meeting was followed by an enjoyable lunch and a demonstration entitled ‘Christmas Carols’  where Carole Dorward demonstrated ‘The Holly and the Ivy’; Carol Ferris demonstrated ‘We Three KIngs’; and Carol Bennett demonstrated ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’.  The stage looked amazing when they had finished.


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14th October – Winners of Footprint competition

Lottie Sant was the 3 to 5 age group of the Footprint Competition with this footprint with different coloured flowers on an orange footprint.

Footprint Competition Winner Age 3-5 Lottie Sant

Footprint Competition Winner Age 6-8 Rhys Mitchell

Footprint Competition Winner Age 9-12 Rebecca Taylor


Focal Points now on line

Focal Points will now be available for download from the Focal Points page line for members who are unable to collect their copy from club meetings.  Edition 37 (Summer 2018) is now available, and all future editions will be available at the same time as they are distributed at council meetings


Jane Rowton-Lee: National Associate of Honour

We are delighted to announce that Jane Rowton-Lee, past BB&O Area President and current coordinator for flowers at Westminster Abbey has been awarded the prestigious NAFAS National Associate of Honour award.

Well done and many congratulations to Jane.  We are proud of her.


26th June 2018 – Awards at Blenheim Palace Flower Show

Best in Show:  Margaret Lang & Sue John from Bladon & Woodstock Flower in Class 3

Runner-Up to Best in Show: Jane Haas & Shirley Sexton from Greys Flora in Class 4

See 2018 Blenheim Palace Show Results for the full set of awards


6th June 2018 – Masquerade Winner – Jane Haas

Jane Haas won the area round of the WAFA Elimination  competition at Benson on 4th June.  She will now go on to represent the area at the national Masquerade event in Leicester in August.  We wish her the best of luck.  Photos of the other 3 entries will be available shortly, but for the time being we will not be publishing Jane’s design as we would not wish to compromise her entry in Leicester


25th May 2018 – Congratulations on RHS Malvern and Chelsea Awards

At RHS Malvern Angela Edmonds from Oxford FC and Greys Flora was awarded Silver Gilt in class ‘A Light Bulb Moment’

At RHS Chelsea:

  • Shirley Sexton from Caversham & Chiltern FC and Greys Flora was awarded Gold in class ‘Light and Shadow’ and Best in 2nd Session
  • Jane Belcher from Oxford FC and BB&O Teachers Association was awarded Silver Gilt in class ‘Formation’
  • Frances Buchan and Jackie Nichols from Oxford FC and Greys Flora were awarded Silver Gilt in class ‘Tropical Dream’
  • Angela Edmonds from Oxford FC and Greys Flora was awarded Silver in class ‘Tropical Dream’
  • Jackie Page from Bicester FC and Club 2000 was awarded Silver in class ‘Formation’
  • Barbara Hunt and Gillian Harries from Newbury FC were awarded Bronze in class ‘Tropical Dream’

See photos by clicking on the Photos tab


GDPR – General Data Protection Regulations

New laws for data protection come into effect on 25th May.  In order to demonstrate how the area complies with these regulations a set of documents and forms have been prepared and are available under the Admin section of this website.  These will be reviewed at least annually and updated as required.


16th March – Easter Eggstravaganza – Photos now available

Many thanks to Alison, Irene, Jane, Frances and everyone else who contributed to making the Easter Eggstravaganza event such a success – lots of hard work by the committee and helpers!  A enjoyable day was had by all, with demonstrations, Ready-Steady-Snip, competitions, retail therapy, lunch and tea, and lots of eggs.  The event raised £1839 towards the Footsteps Flower Festival,  where the proceeds will be shared between the  Footsteps Foundation (a very worthy charity which helps children with neurological disorders) and Dorchester Abbey

Decorated Egg competition – winner according to public vote was Carol Doughty from Wantage FC, and according to national judge Anna Steven the winner was Ann Dawson from Bladon & Woodstock FC.

Easter Basket competition – winner according to public vote was Sue Starr from Stony Stratford FC, and according to national judge Anna Steven the winner was Shirley Sexton from Caversham & Chiltern FC

Chocolate Quiz competition – see Chocolate quiz for the quiz questions and answers.  Details of the winner tbs when I have the information.


Thames Valley Flower Club visit Brookfields Special Needs School

On Wednesday 7th February 2018, Club Chairman Lesley Henderson and other Committee Members visited Brookfields Special Needs School in Tilehurst for the Students Careers Week.  This is the third year the club has sent representatives from the Club.

The students attending were very enthusiastic about choosing the flowers and foliage and proceeded to create individual designs, of which they were most proud and were able to take them home.  All students thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and found it stimulating and an interesting morning and look forward to the next visit.


26th February

New NAFAS guidelines and letters are available to help club committees.  Follow these links:

RHS Chelsea Flower Arranging Schedule now available.  Application.  Deadline extended to 21st Feb