Flower Club Update

Vice-chairman, Pat Sharman welcomed members and visitors. There are still two diaries for sale at £4.60 each. As the planned demonstrator was unavailable Jan and Ken Law from Chigwell stepped in with their title My Fair Lady and Gent. Both demonstrated and the appropriate music from the show accompanied the arrangements.

Wednesday 17 November is an open meeting and tickets are for sale £5 members, £7 non-members. Contact Jayne on 01376 564135 to reserve. Lee Berrill from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire will base the demonstration on Winter Wonderland. Light refreshments and mulled wine will be served. There is no meeting in December.

Autumn events season under-way

As everybody gets back from summer two clubs' events are introducing the autumn season.

The Colne Valley Flower Club start their season on 15th September with a demonstration by Joyce Furssdonn with her arrangements based on the title 'Inspire and Enjoy'. For further information 'phone Clare on 01206 241145 or visit the club's page on the village website.

The WEA introduce a 10-week series of talks by Graham Slimming on the subject of "Art in the Age of William Morris" on 21st September in the Methodist Church Hall. You can read more about this on our newsfeed here or contact the WEA on 01206 240791 or visit their page on the village website.

Don't forget that these and many other events are listed on the homepage of the village website. If you have an event to list, contact the webmaster.

Flower club raising its profile...

The Colne Valley Flower Club welcomed Lisa Howarth from Sandy in Bedfordshire to their June meeting with her arrangements entitled Summer Holiday. Lisa who is a florist shared some useful tips with the members.

The club has been raising its profile at the Country Fayre at Westwood Park with a floral display and have a go sessions for visitors to make a simple self-contained arrangement.

This month is members evening when everyone can take part. There is no meeting in August. Further information 'phone Clare on 01206 241145 or visit the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/flowers.htm.

Pot Luck & Fit For a Queen

At the recent Colne Valley Flower Club meeting National demonstrator, David Thompson, made a return visit with his arrangements entitled Pot Luck. He impressed his audience with exotic blooms and a stunning array of containers which he had collected during his career.

Members brought along arrangements on the theme of Fit For a Queen. These varied from traditional to crowns, handbag and a delicious cake. Although not a competition, members voted with coins for their favourite design which will be added to the club's chosen charity for this year.

The next meeting at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall on 19 May will see Julie Woods from Cambridge with her title Popcorn. Members are reminded that the annual plant sale takes place this month so all contributions most welcome.

Find out more about the club on the village website.

Bloomin' succulent...

If, as winter throws off it's cloak (hopefully not just for a day or two), thoughts turn to gardening and flowers, why not meet fellow enthusiasts at these upcoming events:

Gardeners Association
The next meeting of the Gardeners Association is on Monday 15 March at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. 'Succulents and Olive Trees' is the chosen subject of Mark Macdonald from Todd's Botanics.

Flower Club
The next meeting of the Colne Valley Flower Club is in the Orpen Memorial Hall Lexden Road on Wednesday 17 March at 7.30pm. Eve Regelous from Witham will arrange her flowers with the title 'It's a Land of Magic'. New members always welcome.

Find out more about these organisations at http://www.westbergholt.net/gardeners.htm

Flower Club - February Update

The new season of meetings at the Colne Valley Flower Club began this month. Mrs Lampon continues as president, Clare Heyes as chairman and Alison Bradshaw secretary. Jane Lawson and Ruth Vipond were welcomed on to the committee.

The demonstrator was Shirley Perkins from Leigh-on-Sea with her arrangements entitled Spectrum. She presented Liz Alexander with an orchid spray who was celebrating a birthday later that week. For more information contact Alison on 01206 240262 or visit the village website here.

Blooming great...

At the Colne Valley Flower Club's AGM cheques of £140 were presented to Annie Neish, from First Responders, and to Amber Harlow and Graham Pullen who work with Bergholt Youth Group.

Clare Heyes gave a commentary, with slides, on members' visit to the NAFAS 50th anniversary Flower Festival held at Westminster Abbey. The speaker for the new season will be Shirley Perkins from Leigh on Sea with her arrangements entitled 'Spectrum'.

The committee now has a full complement in order to continue running the club. On Wednesday February 20th subscriptons will be due.

For further information ring 01206 241145 or look at the West Bergholt website for meeting dates and times.

Green Fingers

Gardeners Association

The Gardeners Association next meeting is in the Orpen Hall on Monday 19 October at 7.30pm. The broadcaster, Karen Kenny will talk about composting worms and comfrey for fertility. Everyone welcome.

Flower Club

The Colne Valley Flower Club's next meeting is on Wednesday 21 October in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. This is 'Bring a Friend Free' evening. Mary Griffith from Mildenhall will arrange her flowers around the title 'Kaleidscope'.

Flowers & Gardens

Both the Colne Valley Flower Club and Gardeners' Association announce their upcoming meetings:

Gardeners' Association
The next meeting of the village Gardeners Association is on Monday 18 May in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. Bill Wye will give a slide presentation on fuchsias.
A very successful plant sale was held last month to help boost club funds.

Flower Club
The next meeting of the Colne Valley Flower Club is on Wednesday 20 May in the Orpen Memorial Hall Lexden Road at 7.30pm. The demonstrator will be Crystal Dyball from Horsford Norwich with her arrangements entitled 'Floral Fun'. Members are asked to bring plants/seedlings for the plant sale that evening for the club's chosen charities. Guests welcome.

Spring Weddings...

The Colne Valley Flower Club will welcome David Wright from Norwich on Wednesday 15 April in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. He will be demonstrating Spring Weddings. Members are asked to bring along an Easter Arrangement.

The picture right is of a bride with spring flower bouquet - the image is by griff on flikr.

Spring is on the way for our flower experts

The Gardeners Association next meeting is on Monday 16 March at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall when Clare Heyes will give a slide presentation of "The Changing Seasons at Marks Hall". Visitors most welcome.

The Colne Valley Flower Club next meets on Wednesday 18 March in the Orpen Hall at 7.30pm. when demonstrator Jenny Baker will base her arrangements on the title
"Bargain Buys".

Flower Club - September Update

The Colne Valley Flower Club resumes its meetings on Wednesday 19 September in the Orpen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. Arranger Anne Bell from Newport will demonstrate her flowers with the title 'From Me to You'. The evening is an invitation to come along for free.

Flower Club - July Report

The Colne Valley Flower Club planned open garden evening last month was cancelled due to poor weather. All the stalls were set up at the July meeting in the Orpen Memorial Hall and £120 was raised towards the club's local charities YMCA and the Haven Mental Health Support. The speaker Melvyn Prentice spoke about the various gardens he had been involved with during his 28 years as a horticulturist and illustrated his talk with many photographs.

There is no meeting in August but September 19 welcomes demonstrator Anne Bell from Newport with her arrangements entitled 'From Me to You'. It also includes 'Bring a Friend Free'.

Flower Club

At the Colne Valley Flower Club's annual meeting last month a cheque for £900 was given to a representative from the local Alzheimer's Society. This had been the club's chosen charity for 2006. Follwing the business meeting member, Mrs Sheila Greaves gave an interesting demonstration on the making of flower stands from unusual alternative materials. The new season begins on Wednesday 21 February at 7.30pm in the Orpen Memorial Hall. Subscriptions of £19 are due ( first rise in 4 years) . Helen Bird from Marks Tey is the demonstrator with her arrangements entitled 'Just Imagine'.