North of Preston Flower Club - Clubs - The North West Area of NAFAS

North of Preston Flower Club

About us:

This year the Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary and we have a full & varied programme.

The meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month except in August. The purpose of the Club is to promote a love of flowers through our monthly meetings and demonstrations of artistic arrangements.

The first public meeting of the North of Preston Flower Club was on 17th February 1960. Mrs. Grant, of Goosnargh, near Preston, had the idea of starting the club and together with some friends formed a Committee. At their meeting on 1st Feb. 1960 they decided that the number of members of the Club should be restricted to 120 with a waiting list for any more wishing to join. (Oh that such things existed today!).

By the 1st A.G.M. the following February there were 170 very enthusiastic members and still that waiting list. Mrs. Grant was our first President, a post that she held until her sudden death in July 1980. She was also one of the founder members of the North West Area of NAFAS and in 1975 was made a Life Vice President of Area.

Practice sessions were held before the demonstrations at each meeting and competitions held. Outings were arranged to gardens and shows and these were usually well attended. At one time, members did 2 arrangements a week at the old P.R.I. hospital in Preston. The Club flourished and at one time there were over 200 members - plus the waiting list.

Unfortunately, in recent years membership has gone down quite considerably until there are now less than 60 members. This is also happening in other Flower Arranging Clubs, so we are not alone in that. However, we are not downhearted and are looking forward to a healthy future for the Club. There is a good programme of demonstrations lined up for the rest of the year (see Current Programme).  

At each meeting we have a Green Stall selling plants - mainly cuttings and "spares" from members' gardens - and bits & pieces for flower arranging. We also have a Publications stall where you can buy the official NAFAS magazine The Flower Arranger, which is sold at a reduced price to members. Cards, diaries & calendars are also available and cards giving useful tips on various aspects of flower arranging.

The demonstrators who come to the Club are all NAFAS trained to either area or national level. They demonstrate about half a dozen arrangements all linked to their chosen title for the afternoon and the accompanying talk is usually most amusing & informative. When they have finished, the stage looks wonderful and so colourful. There is a raffle at the end of the meeting for all the arrangements.

So if you see happy smiley people wandering through Fulwood with exotic looking flower arrangements, you will know where they have been. Next month - It Could Be You!

Programme:

Gallery:

Contact Us: