A full house attended the November club night,when the first of our Christmas demonstrations was presented by Andrew Lloyd (Stourbridge).

After announcing the club notices Mrs Celia Wilkie gave a very warm welcome to Andrew who has a longstanding association with the club.

He is a National demonstrator and is Chairman of our area of NAFAS.

His visits are always welcome and he never disappoints with his wide choice of top class flowers and foliage and this was no exception.

His title for the evening was simply ‘Christmas’ and everyone enjoyed the displays he produced in a seemingly effortless manner.

He began with a modern design in a tall cone-filled glass container, using colours of lime green, pinks and burgundy surrounded by looped clematis vine, added interest given with a pink pineapple and frosted apples.

The finished display was placed near a huge wicker ring decorated with complementary flowers, making a lovely duo. Next came a huge lantern supporting a large arrangement of Christmas foliage and flowers in shades of pink and burgundy – lilies, roses, orchids, gladioli – to mention just a few. An unusual modern design was created using an open black stand from which hung two large mirror balls.

A top placement in in green and white using silver/white birch twigs,protea ‘White Ice’, ‘Snowcap’ lilies and other white flowers was striking.

Two silver sparkly birds strategically placed completed the icy look of this display. A huge curving tree-branch came next, holding a large arrangement in browns, reds and orange colours using orange holly berries, lilies, gerbera, orchids, roses and other grand plant material.

A second lantern with flowers was placed at the base giving a warm rich overall effect – especially when the candles were lit in the lanterns.

Andrew's finale was a traditional design in a large urn on a stand.

Christmas reds, greens and gold were used ie carnations, cedums, gerbera anthuriums, roses etc ... giving a real feel of Christmas.

Andrew is a great entertainer besides being artistically gifted in the way he uses the expected traditional flowers with the more unusual, in imaginative ways.

This had been a real taste of Christmas and Mrs Cynthia Slade gave a warm vote of thanks on behalf of everyone.

Winners of the raffle went home delighted.

Next meeting is on December 10 at 7.30pm at the Shenstone Theatre when Mrs Carol Farmer (Birmingham) will demonstrate ‘Seasonal Joy’. Visitors welcome £3.50.