Help for Heroes benefitted from a fundraising evening in February. Mrs Celia Wilkie welcomed and thanked everyone for supporting the event and gave a brief outline of the ethos behind Help for Heroes which is the club's chosen charity for this year.

She introduced Claire Bond, guest demonstrator, who had chosen ‘Art Gallery’ for her theme. She brought art into flower arranging by depicting famous artists.

A hand-tied bunch was created through a wicker circular framework, which represented an artist's palette. Toulouse Lautrec, Salvador Dali,Van Gogh and Monet's garden were all portrayed using appropriate accessories with bright vibrant flowers including sunflowers, lilies, roses, gerbera, stocks and anthuriums.

Sculpted and plaited palms, curled aspidistra, crystal beads and ostrich feathers were all used to great effect in the varied displays. Mrs Jane Rees-Smith gave a vote of thanks.

Monies raised from the raffle of the flowers, sale of cards and £1 ‘surprise’ gifts realised £650, bringing the amount raised to date around £870. Celia thanked everyone for their generous support.

Flowers for Mothering Sunday will once again be available in the Cornbow Centre (upper level) on March 13, all profits going to Help for Heroes.

Next club night is on March 11 at 7.30pm at the Shenstone Theatre when Mrs Janet Woodfield (Worcs) willl demonstrate ‘Flowers – My Way’. Visitors always welcome, £3.50.

At the February meeting details were given of the visits to Herefordshire, Hampton Court estate and Broadfield Court vineyards.

The theme of Mrs Joan Southerton’s demonstration (Stourport) was ‘Special Occasions’. She introduced us to a visit to Dubai with her first display of an eastern-looking pot which held an arrangement of sculptured palms, pink lilies, roses, waxflower and white anthuriums with gold sprays to represent the glitzy Dubai airport.

The Coming of Spring was depicted with a low bark-covered container with ferns, ivy, catkins, lilies, tulips, hyacinths and cheerfulness.

Ladies Day at Ascot was imagined by a hat composed of flowers on the model of a lady's head which was draped with cerise chiffon. Flowing ferns, curled leaves and a selection of pink flowers made a good suggestion of a floral hat.

Valentine's Day was depicted by a black candleabra with a suspended collar of crystal beads. A horizontal arrangement in red, using roses, carnations, gerbera and loops of supple red sticks was created and a romantic dinner for two was suggested by the addition of a large candle.

The final display was simply the Special Occasion of visiting a flower club and meeting people who love flowers. This took the form of a large springtime arrangement using a tall black branch with a good selection of spring flowers and foliage at the base including pussy willow, catkins, mimosa, roses and gerbera.

Mrs Lynne Ridout gave an appreciative vote of thanks.