OUT & ABOUT
Where friendships
If you fancy trying your hand at something different this year, meeting new people and learning new skills then one long-standing local organisation could give you the chance to flourish.
‘Friendships through Flowers’
is the motto of the Rotherham Floral Arts Society which is keen to welcome new members and reassure any budding flower arranger that no experience is needed. Visitors to the group can expect to find a varied
Rona Hudson, who relocated to Rotherham from Cheshire five years ago, and was keen to make connections in the area. With a background in maths and science, Rona admits that artistic ability and creative flair were not among her natural attributes.
‘‘over the decades, slightly nervous newcomers have soon found themselves very much among friends as well as foliage’’
programme of activities including demonstrations, workshops and special excursions while socialising with like-minded people is at the heart of every event. Founded in 1962, the Society
perhaps owes its longevity to its welcoming ethos as much as anything else and is rightly proud of the fact that, over the decades, slightly nervous newcomers have soon found themselves very much among friends as well as foliage. That was certainly the
experience of current chairman “I was an absolute beginner
and knew nothing about flower arranging,” she explained. “But one of the lovely things about this group is that you don’t have to know anything, you can just go along and give it a try and you’ll be made extremely welcome.” Similarly, Society secretary
Susan Farrent who first joined the group back in the 1960s and re-joined after a 20-year spell overseas, describes the monthly meetings as ‘great fun and a wonderful evening out.’
From left, Pat Lister Society President, Rona Hudson Chairman,
Ann Harding Chairman NE Area chairman, Lynne Sharpe demonstrator and Pat Daley, Special Associate of Honour of the National Association.
Currently based at Broom
Methodist Church on Stag Lane, the Society meets most months and offers an accessible venue with onsite parking and no shortage of friendly faces keen to share a cuppa and cake. There’s no need to make a
long-term commitment from the off as people can simply observe a workshop before taking the plunge just to see if it’s right for them. Guests can also attend without becoming full members and just pay for events or activities ad hoc depending on what time they have to spare or what they want to do. Interest in all things floral can
span every generation; veteran member Jean Davy still attends at the grand age of 92 and younger enthusiasts, including teenage boys and girls, have had their attendance stemmed only by other commitments or, in one case, the offer of a university place. Hands-on workshops are held
two or three times a year with members keen to share not only their tips and experience with fellow arrangers but also greenery from their own gardens. And novices can expect high standards from more seasoned members; Society President Pat Lister recently scooped an impressive seven awards when she exhibited at the Rotherham Show including four firsts, two seconds and a third. Excursions are also a key
feature of Society life and a chance to see some of the best creative talents at work. Previous visits have included the Royal Horticultural Society Show at Tatton Park and Harrogate Flower Show and members are actively encouraged to throw their own suggestions for trips into the hat.
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aroundtownmagazine.co.uk A particular highlight this year
will be a three-day visit taking in flower festivals and gardens to mark the diamond anniversary of NAFAS – the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies - with which the Rotherham branch is affiliated. With 2019 looking set to be
another busy year, now may well be the time for people to sow the seeds of a new hobby and see what emerges during spring. Novice arrangers who get in touch with the Rotherham Floral Art Society are guaranteed to learn a thing or two and quite possibly the unexpected…. one lesser-known snippet and always a crowd- pleaser says Susan is the fact that all floral arrangements need a ‘bosom’ - to find out exactly what that means and why it matters, why not pop along to the Society’s next meeting on March 6th?
To enquire about membership, attending as a guest or to offer your services as a demonstrator, please contact Chairman Rona Hudson on 01709 320381 or email:
rona@randghud.co.uk
The Rotherham Floral Arts Society meets monthly and welcomes new members and guests. When: the first Wednesday of each month. Where: Broom Methodist Church, Stag Lane, Rotherham, S60 3NW Time: 7pm Cost: £6 per meeting or £40 annual membership
blossom
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