Area News

This page contains the latest, and some archive, news relating specifically to the Berks Bucks and Oxon Area of NAFAS.  Note that due to the ever changing content of this website, some links for old news may not work. Most archive news kept for historical purposes can be accessed via Archive News.

News from the 65th BB&O AGM – 24th October 2025

The Area AGM was again held in October, before the clocks changed to allow members to safely travel home in daylight.  The AGM was chaired by Area President, Pat Dibben. 

Area reports had been sent out in advance and short updates were given at the meeting. Online votes had been completed by 21 (out of a possible 32) clubs.  Several clubs who had not voted on line voted at the meeting using the voting cards.

All  Area Officers were re-elected to their posts. Jackie Page as Chairman, Brenda Milton as Secretary and Flower Arranger Rep, Irene Richards as Publications Officer, Sheila Williams as JDSE Officer.  We are p[eased to report that Tracy Ray is now joint media officer with Shirley Sexton, and Richard Preston is vice treasurer to Alison Vacher. The expectation is that Richard will take over from Alison next year.. Pat Dibben was re-elected as Area President and Sheila Williams was re-elected as Area Vice-President.

Area trophies were awarded as follows:

  • The HEATHER BARBER ROSE BOWL for the club which donated the most money to charity was once again awarded to Aylesbury who collected £1,772.02 for the Florence Nightingale Hospice and Karibuni Children.  The award was collected by Val Truby who does so much to raise money for charities in Aylesbury.
  • The Penelope Everett Member of the Year Trophy was awarded to Brenda Milton. See Citation for 2025 Member of the Year Award for Brenda Milton for the full nomination.
  • The FLOWER ARRANGER PLATTER for the Club Flower Arranger Rep who has been most successful in increasing the number of orders in 2025 was awarded to Abingdon. The trophy was collected by Chris Pearce.
  • The DIANE GILL GLASS PLATE for the most innovative design was awarded to the team who staged the gold-winning design at the Malvern Spring Flower Show:  Shirley Sexton and Julie Druce, (both from Greys Flora) and  Jenny Langton and Tracy Ray (both from Phoenix Design).
  • The CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE award went to Shirley Sexton for all the hard work she does for the area.

After the meetings many people enjoyed a tasty two course lunch, which was followed by a very  entertaining demonstration entitled ‘Sapphire So Good’ by recently qualified area demonstrators Caroline Golding and Helen Temple.  They were an excellent double act.

There were 3 charity collections at the AGM:

  • Jean Barker from Thame Flower Club brought along Pudsey Bear and collected £145.50 for Children in Need.
  • Pat Collinson collected £232 for ‘Wear Pink for Breast Cancer’. Many attendees did wear pink.
  • Sara Steward and Irene Manson raised £259 from a sale of Greys Flora ‘Previously Enjoyed’ flower arranging accessories. The money will go to Pancreatic Cancer Research and the Thames Valley Hospice in memory of Alison Mount, our past president who was a member of Greys Flora.

2025 Area Events

  • See Area Events for information and links to the booking form for the Christmas Workshop on 29th November

News and successes so far this year:

  • Foam Free Pedestal workshop run by Sandie Draper in September 2025.
  • Successes at the NAFAS National Show in Gloucester. See NAFAS Flower Show Awards
  • Area Lunch to celebrate our Blue Sapphire Anniversary. See 2025 Blue Sapphire Lunch | Flickr
  • The ‘Competing – Enjoy the Challenge Workshop’ on Sat 22 March in Benson was well attended and much enjoyed. See 2025 Competing Workshop for photos
  • The Area Demonstrators tests: 22 Feb for the mock tests, and 5 April for the real tests in Holyportwere very successful, resulting in 8 new area demonstrators across BB&O and surrounding areas. See 2025 Area Demonstrators Test for photos of those who took the test.
  • Shirley Sexton, Jenny Langton, Tracy Ray and Julie Druce represented BB&O at the Malvern Spring Show and were awarded Gold. See 2025 Malvern Spring Show for photos of all BB&O entries at this show.
  • The ABBA themed area days on 23 May with title ‘Thank You for the Flowers’ didn’t attract as many people as past area days (maybe the half-term date didn’t help!) but for those who did come it was a brilliant day. We had great feedback on the lunch, the morning floral ‘Guess the Song’ entertainment by Jackie, and the spectacular afternoon demonstration by National Demonstrator Coral Gardiner. See 2025 Area Day ‘Thank You for the Flowers’ | Flickr
  • The 2025 Area Show which was part of the Royal Windsor Flower Show on 7th June was an excellent showcase of our talented designers. See 2025 Royal Windsor Flower Show Awards for the full set of result.s and 2025 Area Show | Flickr