PERSHORE Flower Club held their May meeting last Wednesday, May 20 at Bishampton Village Hall. Chairman Janis Hodkins welcomed everyone and said how lovely it was to see the room full and gave a special welcome to seven visitors.

Janis commenced the meeting with the business side of things which included reminding everyone of Area Day to be held on June 18 and that an outing was being arranged on July 8 to Rodmartin Manor Gardens.

Our demonstrator Sue Blanford who had driven up from Usk was then introduced to the members, although many of us knew Sue from previous visits to the Club, and knew we were in for a treat. Sue's title for the evening was “The Darling Buds of May” and she brought to the hall all the beauty of flowers that are at their best in this particular month Her first arrangement was foliage of lovely autumn reds and copper tones and interlaced with a few lovely hostas, Teamed with these were 20 lovely Avalanche apricot roses in full bloom.

Sue's arrangements are based on contemporary design with some of her own flair being added. Each arrangement is made in a block of one colour which added to making them so stunning. Next arrangement was pale pink peonies and delicate mauve alliums. To make more interest Sue had used pink chiffon and sisal rolled up to form an outline shape to add different textures. This arrangement was then followed by arrangements in blocks of pink roses and ivy to form a heart, and orange Austrian felted wool pieces attached to an oblong container mounted sidewards which had green anthuriums and orange gerbera added. Sue's final arrangement was following traditional lines of a pedestal which she had arranged in the very popular green and white.

Helen Morris gave the vote of thanks to Sue and said how much we had enjoyed the evening and the quality of her flowers had been breathtaking. Jenny Masser during the earlier part of the evening had run a sales and plant stall.

JILL MILLARD