Archive News 2024

News from the 64th BB&O AGM – 25th October 2024

The Area AGM was again held in October, before the clocks changed to allow members to safely travel home in daylight.  Next year we will try harder to avoid the two weeks which potentially span school half term.

Normally the AGM would be chaired by the Area President, but the recent sad death of Alison Mount  meant the F&GP committee had urgently appointed Pat Dibben as the new president. Unfortunately Pat was ill on the day of the AGM so we were very grateful to Past President Rosemary McGowan for stepping in to run the meeting.

Alison Mount will be much missed.  A collection in her memory was rounded up by Area to £100 for her chosen charity, the Thames Valley Hospice. Anyone not present at the meeting but wishing to donate may still do so. Visit their website at Thames Hospice and navigate to their Make a donation | Thames Hospice page. If you are a UK taxpayer your donation this way would allow the hospice to benefit from Gift Aid.

Alison was nominated by Greys Flora to receive the Penelope Everett Member of the Year Trophy which will be held by her husband Phil for the next year.  See 2024 Nomination for Alison Mount for Penelope Everett Trophy for the full nomination. The trophy was collected on Phil’s behalf by Irene Manson.

Other 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 for raising £1958.  The award was collected by Val Truby who does so much to raise money for charities in Aylesbury.
  • The FLOWER ARRANGER PLATTER for the Club Flower Arranger Rep who has been most successful in increasing the number of orders in 2024 was awarded to Helen French from Abingdon. The trophy was collected on her behalf by Jayne King.
  • The DIANE GILL GLASS PLATE for the most innovative design was awarded to Val Sweet from Holyport for her Full of Sparkle’ at the Strictly Flowers Area Day.
  • The CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE award went to Carol Bennett (Demonstrator’s Rep) and Stephanie Cornell (JDSE Secretary and Workshop Coordinator) for all they do for the area, but particularly this year for their work organising the demonstrators training.

Area reports had been sent out in advance and the online voting form had been completed by 25 (out of a possible 33) clubs.  Short updates to the reports were given.

All  Area Officers were re-elected to their posts, but there had still been no nominations for the post of Area Vice-Chairman.  There had also been no nominations for Area Treasurer and Area Media Officer, but Alison Vacher and Shirley Sexton have agreed to stay in post for one more year.  However Alison warned that she will definitely be standing down at the next AGM, and since the role of treasurer is crucial to the operation of the area it is now the case that unless a new treasurer can be found the area is in severe danger of closing in October 2025. Pat Dibben was elected as Area President and Sheila Williams was elected as Area Vice-President. Brenda Milton has taken on the role of Flower Arranger Representative.

After the meetings many people enjoyed a tasty two course lunch, which was then followed by an entertaining demonstration entitled ‘Oxford: Fact, Fiction Fun’ by Anna Steven.

Sep/Oct 2024

Apologies for confusion regarding the venue for the Arnaud Metairie Christmas Demonstration. This event was planned to take place at Exeter Hall in Kidlington, but this building suffered severe damage in recent floods so an alternative venue has been arranged.  Thankfully the Exeter Hall repairs will be in time for the event so it will take place as originally planned on Wed 4th Dec at Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AB

Details of forthcoming events can be found by following the links below:

  • See Area Events and 2024 Foam Free Harvest Pedestal Workshop Booking Form for details of the workshop on 27 Sep in Wexham, SL3 6LH – aimed at all levels of experience
  • See Area Events and 2024 AGM Booking Form for details of the AGM on 25 Oct in Benson
  • See Area Events for summary information of the Christmas Wreath Workshops:  29 (evening in Amersham) and 30 Nov (Sat daytime in Woodley. Booking forms to follow.
  • See Area Events for summary information of the Area Demonstrators tests in early 2025. Put the dates in your diary: 22 Feb for the mock tests, and 5 April for the real tests.  Both events in Holyport
  • See Area Events for summary information of the May 2025 Worcestershire Garden Tour.

May 2024

Details of forthcoming events can be found by following the links below:

  • 2024 Sticky Spring Workshop Booking Form – 30 May in this workshop in Holyport – aimed at all levels of experience
  • Foam Free Pedestal Workshop organised for 27 September in Wexham.  Booking form to follow.
  • See Practical Learning for details of NAFAS online training courses and details of area workshops

Lots of exciting things have happened, or are happening:

Demonstrator Training: 10 aspiring demonstrators have started their training and will be available for bookings shortly.

Refresher Day: 28 judges, demonstrators and teachers attended the highly successful refresher day led by Michael Bowyer MBE on 2nd March. See photos on 2024 Refresher Day

Speakers Day: 14 people attended ‘Speak up for Flowers‘ led by Susan Shaw – it was an inspiring session for accredited speakers and those who just wanted to improve their skills in public speaking.  It was a  packed day, which gave participants tips on breathing, intonation and much more.

Strictly Flowers Area Day: On 26th April 120 members and visitors enjoyed a day full of fun and sparkle.

In the morning there were quizzes based round Strictly Come Dancing – challenging even for those who are fans of the programme.

Then three talented individuals each did a 15 minute demonstration:

  • Lorraine Saunders demonstrated the Can-Can, complete with a Moulin Rouge windmill, which was very topical since the real Moulin Rouge lost its blades the day before!
  • Alison Vacher depicted the Charleston
  • Sandie Draper presented the Paso Doble

Compered by Area Chairman Jackie Page, the demonstrations were judged by public vote (everyone had a score paddle) and a panel of expert judges: Shirley Sexton (Shirley Ballas), Pat Dibben (Motsi Mabuse) and Susie Barwick (Craig Revel Horwood). Sandie Draper took the glitter ball. It was a lot of fun – even a ‘Disaster Darling’ from Craig!

‘Full of Sparkle’ was the title for the competition pieces brought by members.  15 diverse table centre designs really depicted the title with lots of sparkle and really brightened the room making it difficult for our judges to choose a winner.

Jacqui Arnold gave a fabulous ‘Strictly Flowers’ demonstration.  Lots of appropriate bright colours, sparkle, legs and an onstage jive at the end.

For photos of the event see 2024 Strictly Flowers.

Malvern Qualifier Competition: Whilst the rest of us were enjoying the morning Strictly Flowers entertainment, four individuals were working hard on their ‘Natural Turns‘ design, competing for a chance to represent the Area at the Malvern Autumn Show.  All the designs were full of rhythm and colour and a testament to hard work and imagination. Results were:

  • 1st – Rosemary McGowan (Bicester)
  • 2nd Jenny Langton (Phoenix)
  • 3rd – Yoko Suzuki-Osborne (Bracknell)
  • Commended – Annette Wessen (Thame

Well done to all. Rosemary McGowan will now go on to represent the area at the Malvern Autumn Show.

March/April 2024

Details of forthcoming events can be found by following the links below:

  • 2024 Sticky Spring Workshop Booking Form – 30 May in this workshop in Holyport – aimed at all levels of experience
  • Foam Free Pedestal Workshop organised for 27 September in Wexham.  Booking form to follow.
  • See Practical Learning for details of NAFAS online training courses and details of area workshops