Flowers for Christmas


Anyone travelling through Yoxall on the 13th November will have seen several ladies struggling home carrying tall and rather beautiful flower arrangements. They were the lucky  winners of our raffle when Ann Brown visited us again to give ideas for Christmas Flowers. Since her last visit, Ann has established a thriving shop in the centre of Shenstone village. We look forward to her demonstrations; she has wonderful ideas and such an easy going style as she chats while working.
 

The first arrangement was a twig basket, filled with wet oasis and foliage from the garden such as box and eleagnus. The colour was provided by hydrangea sprigs, ruby red roses and blue eryngium. The next arrangement had a very Christmas feel.  An oasis sphere covered with box sprigs and perched on the end of a piece of dowelling fixed into a terracotta plant pot formed the basis of the arrangement. Wired bunches of cinnamon , dried orange slices, tiny apples and fir cones were then added to the oasis. Finally, the base was covered with reindeer moss and the pot decorated with a natural looking raffia bow. 

All sorts of containers can be used in flower arranging .Ann has acquired an interesting urn which she filled with orange roses, red alstromeria and arching orange flowers. She suggested that battery operated lights or stars could be hung in the arrangement to make it look even more festive. Ann showed us how to use gold sprayed twigs and foliage in our displays to make them look even more interesting. With only a few fresh flowers and some carefully chosen  artificial bits and pieces flower arranging need not be expensive.

During the evening there was an unexpected loud noise and we all turned round in unison to see what it was. One of our members husbands had forgotten his house keys while walking the dog, and in the confusion had  accidentally trod on the dog causing it to cry out! There is never  a dull moment at our meetings.

Ann's last display used a glass cake stand and an oasis ring covered with eucalyptus and fir foliage with a white candle in the centre. Beautiful pink roses and wired sparkly sprigs finished off the arrangement. There was a rush to buy raffle tickets then as the arrangements became the raffle prizes. We eagerly awaited the draw while discussing with each other which arrangement we would choose if we won!

The arrangements for the Yoxall Good Neighbours Tea Party were finalised. Helpers for the afternoon and providers of sandwiches and cakes were confirmed. December sees our Christmas party and members were reminded of the details; timing, what to bring etc. Our speaker will be Marion Baldwin on Christmas Scenes and Characters. It promises to be a very entertaining evening.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11th December when we will be celebrating with our Christmas party. This evening is for members and invited guests only. Visitors are very welcome to the meeting on January 8th when our speaker will be Alan G. Hopkin on the Changing Face of Popular Music. We meet in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm and further details can be obtained from Penny Bailey through the link below.