For our March meeting we welcomed Jane Gordon from Elderslie and her demonstration title was "From Coast To Country". Jane gave us 5 arrangements alternating from the coast and then country, at the end of each arrangement we had a piece of music that matched the theme, all well known tunes to which we all hummed or sang along to. Jane gave us lots of very useful hints and tips as she arranged and her knowledge of the names of all her plant material was superb. After the drawing of the raffle a welcome cup of tea was served and members wished a safe journey home.
At our latest meeting, good friend to the club, Fiona Wilson came along to tutor members who were asked to bring along an unusual/favourite container and a bunch of flowers. All who attended enjoyed the challenge (and the chat). Fiona gave great advice to each of us in turn and the results can be seen below. All different. A great night all round.
Our next meeting in Wednesday 27th March we have Jane Gordon from Elderslie whose demonstration title will be "Coast and Country". All welcome.
Our first meeting of 2024 saw Kirsty McIntosh from Kirstie's Flowers of Troon come to us with her demonstration entitled "Winter Wonders".
Kirsty used wonderful containers for all of her six arrangements and gave us lots of hints and tips as she worked. She also told us how she progressed to the premises that she currently operates her business from.
Our next meeting is a practical class with Fiona Wilson that has a change of date from the norm. The meeting will be on Tuesday 27th February in the upstairs hall of Girvan Community Centre at 7pm. Anyone who wishes to come along is asked to bring along a favourite/unusual container, a bunch of flowers and a pair of secateurs. The club will supply foliage and foam if required.
Girvan Flower Club held their Christmas open night in the Community Centre and was well attended with a lovely buzz of chat before and after the demonstration which, this year was from James Gemmel from JG Flowers – Mauchline- this was a return visit from James who come to the club pre covid. His title was "Festive Surprise".
James gave us lots of stories about his flower arranging experiences, in particular weddings. He spoke about how he got in to flower arranging in the first place and how he has progressed to where he is today, including renovating his house! James has a "laid back" and "wing it" attutude which has clearly got him to winning the Regional and National Wedding Florist of the Year 2023, we could see why.
The October meeting saw Pamela Galloway from Limekilns, Fife come to the club to share her demonstration entitled "Afternoon Tea Ma'am".
Pamela shared her stories from 5 of her favourite afternoon tea venues, these included Old Course Hotel - St Andrews, Gleneagles Hotel, The Reid's Palace - Madeira, Cromlix House - Dunblane and her ultimate favourite The Balmoral Hotel- Edinburgh. Pamela gave us lots of funny stories to accompany each arrangement which everyone enjoyed.
A welcome cup of tea followed the demonstration. A reminder that our Christmas Open night is on 22nd November in the Community Centre at 7pm when we have James Gemmell from Mauchline. Tickets are available from The Pet Store, Girvan.
The opening night of the club came on the night of Storm Agnes when our numbers were understandably depleted. We welcomed Linda Souter from Dunfermline whose title was "Reflections". Linda had great chat as she worked and each arrangement reflected an experience Linda has had along her life path. Her containers played a major role in her arrangements.
As usual the audience were eager to win one of the arrangements to take home.
We also welcomed Violet Connor along to the club to accept a cheque on behalf of CAN as the Flower Clubs good cause.
Our next meeting on 25th October will have Pamela Galloway from Limekilns and her title will be "Afternoon Tea Ma'am.
A welcome cup of tea rounded off the evening and everyone was bid a safe journey home.
The Club chose "The Richmond" in Kirkoswald as the venue for their 50th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday 28th June.
The sunlight cascaded through the windows adorned with floral arrangements designed by the committee casting a most appropriate "Golden Glow" into the hall.
Joint Chairperson Liz Gregg welcomed everyone before inviting Honorary Member of 44 years May Robertson to cut the Anniversary Cake.
Janice McGeechan then stepped forward and gave a most eloquent summary of the Club since its first meeting in The Unitas Hall, Girvan in 1973, Janice referred to the presence of Founder Member Anne Laird and also to the fact the present committee have a total of 338 years membership. Janice then asked everyone to remember past and present members who weren’t able to be with us and finished by asking everyone to raise their glasses and Toast the Club.
A delicious meal was then served by Lindsay Guidi and her staff before the rest of the evening was handed over to National Demonstrator Dr. Kate Kerr from Dumfries.
Kate continued the celebratory theme of the evening with her choices of arrangements depicting Bunting, Wine o’clock, etc. finishing with a glorious 3 Tier Floral Cake. Texture, Colours, Containers all most appropriate for the occasion.
The sun had disappeared as Kate finished but the Hall was awash with colour and a more glorious "Golden Glow" from her demonstration.
Joint Chair Helen Walker gave a most deserved vote of thanks to all concerned, Lyndsay and her staff for delicious meal, Kate for her beautiful demonstration and the committee for their assistance.
Kate then drew the raffle for all her arrangements plus ones adorning window ledges delighting the many winners taking their Golden Arrangements home.
Wednesday 24th May in Girvan Community Centre was the Penultimate Demonstration of the Season and was preceded by the AGM.
Liz Gregg conducted the AGM, there were 18 members present 13 of whom were already on committee, Liz appealed to others to consider putting themselves forward for committee as due to Personal circumstances Office Bearers positions have been vacant for some time and herself and Helen Walker have had to Multitask and now a Minute Secretary is also required as Mary Kelso has moved outwith the area and resigned. Liz thanked Mary for her service over 20 years in the Club. There being no volunteers and no other business Liz closed the meeting.
After a short interval Helen Walker then welcomed others who had joined the audience and read some intimations namely regarding The Clubs 50th Anniversary Celebration on 28th June in The Richmond, Kirkoswald saying if anyone would like to attend transport can be arranged.
Helen then introduced Demonstrator Lindsay Florey from Dumfries. Lindsay had chosen "Musical Flowers" as the title of her demonstration and it soon became apparent why as every arrangement was suitably choreographed by snippets of music accompanied by either foot tapping or singing from the audience. The foliage and flowers had everything required, colour, texture, complemented by unusual use of Fir Cones, Dandelions etc., some great tips and environmental friendly usage as acknowledged in the vote of thanks given by Mary Kelso. The raffle was then drawn by Lindsay and it was no wonder that the winners were delighted to take the arrangements home.
On Wednesday 26th April in Girvan Community Centre The Club were delighted to welcome Ecologist and Planthunter Kevin Hughes of Cally Gardens, Gatehouse of Fleet which is a Treasure Trove of rare exotic plants and a haven for wildlife.
Kevin regaled the audience of his adventures in leading up to taking over the Gardens in 2018. Unfortunately there was a technical hitch with the slide show on the big screen but through his Laptop and most descriptive talk on plants the audience were transposed as if they were walking through the Gardens.
His passion certainly came over as his description of a "Host of Golden Dandylions" gave everyone a different perspective on “The Weed”, also his knowledge and enthusiasm for Grassland, Trilliums, Meconopsis to name but a few and the Planet was abundant to everyone.
A most interesting informative evening and some magnificent plants for sale as well.
The evening finished with a delicious supper provided by the committee.
The penultimate event of the Season takes place in Girvan Community Centre on Wednesday 24th May with Demonstrator Lindsay Florey from Dumfries her title is "Musical Flowers".
The AGM precedes this at 6.45 p.m. and appeal to all members to attend this as the the Club depends on everyone playing their part as to the future of the club which celebrates its 50th Anniversary on 28th June in Richmond Hall, Kirkoswald.
