News 2020 – Post COVID
This page contains archive 2020 news following the arrival of COVID. Note that due to the ever changing content of this website, some links for old news may not work, but the news is kept for historical purposes.
BB&O Virtual Flower Festival – Tis the Season
As an alternative to the Deck the Halls flower festival which had been planned for November 2020, the area is organising a virtual flower festival. Members are encouraged to submit photos of any design appropriate to the current season by emailing them to BB&O Photos. An album will be set up in BB&O Photos. Photos may be submitted any time before the end of the year. Hopefully next year we will be able to have a real flower festival.
Autumn Antics Winners – announced at the AGM
In the Harvest class there was a tie between Sandie Draper (HVST15) and Christa Adams (HVST18) – both from Old Windsor Flower Club
In the Fireworks class the winner was Carol Doughty (FW21) from Wantage and Oxford Flower Clubs.
In the Halloween class the winner was Jenny Langton (HWN20) from Abingdon Flower Club.
Photos of the winning designs are now in a separate photo album – see Autumn Antics Winners. Garden vouchers for the winners will be sent in the post.
Other News from the BB&O AGM – 13th November 2020
With the COVID crisis making the usual style of AGM impossible, the practicalities were very different this year, but worked well. Reports were sent out in advance. and the online voting form was completed by 37 clubs. 61 members attended the Zoom meeting, including representatives from 36 clubs, and most area officers and reps. The following area trophies were awarded. The trophies were shown on Zoom and will be awarded personally the next time there is a practical council meeting.
The Penelope Everett Member of the Year Trophy for the member who has ‘gone above and beyond’ to support their club and/or area was awarded to Alison Vacher for her outstanding work for Sandhurst and Crowthorne Flower Club. She was one of the first to start regular Zoom demonstrations for her club, and as a result managed to attract new members to the club.
The Heather Barber Rose Bowl for the club which donated the most money to charity was awarded to Maidenhead Flower Club. They raised £3200.
The Flower Arranger Platter for the Club Flower Arranger Rep who has been most successful in increasing the number of orders in 2020 was awarded to Gillian Crapper from Cotswold Flower Club.
Irene Manson congratulated individuals who had recently achieved their teaching qualification: Carol Bennett, Jennifer Thomson, Stephanie Cornell, Jenny Langton, Melissa Fletcher, Jane Belcher, Kim Wright, Chris Brown. Certificates will be awarded to successful candidates at the next practical council meeting. Their names will be added to the Area JDSE list (aka Pink List) so you can book them for club workshops. Some of the newly qualified teachers are from outside the area but you would still be able to book them.
The Area Media Officer thanked the following members who were stepping down from the Media Team. Tokens of the area’s appreciation will be sent in the post.
- Catherine Lee who had been photography since the 2019 AGM but who is now moving to Devon.
- Sara Steward who had helped with Focal Points for the last few years
- Anne Rogers who had been treasurer for Focal Points since 2007, but had been on the Focal Points team since its inception, and had been a member of the Scene on Three team before that.
NAFAS and BB&O Corona Virus Unlock Guidelines
Please see BBO COVID guidelines – 23 July 2020 issued by BB&O Area on 23 July 2020.
Please see NAFAS – UNLOCK GUIDANCE issued 19th June 2020 and Area D3B Extreme Conditions (1) which replaces the Extreme Weather Guidelines.