CLUB MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2015

AT HAWORTH ROAD METHODIST CHURCH

1        In Attendance: there were 50 members and no guests in attendance. 

2        Welcome – Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and complimented Muriel, Norma and Pat our own club members for the fantastic displays. 

3        Club Notices

·       Photo Competition – entries to be in no later than the March club meeting.  Entry forms can be collected from the information desk.

·       Spring Flower Competition – members were invited to enter the competition to produce an arrangement for a small table.  Entrants can use their own dishes or dishes can be purchased from the sales table.

·       November Quiz – 1st – Mary Peake (a guest) – 2nd – Shirley Mitchell.  There was only half a point between the two.  Answers can be collected from Pauline Lowes after the meeting.

·       Harrogate Spring Flower Show – a trip is being organised to the Show on Sunday 26 April.  The cost will be £23 including entry and transport.  There are two 16-seater coaches available and we hope to fill both.  There is a list on the Information Desk and also Floral Art Schedules for Harrogate.

·       Club Luncheon 22 March at Cleckheaton Golf Club – Chair asked members to see Vivienne Midgley if they have not received their invitation.  Chair announced there will be a raffle and contributions will be welcome at the March club meeting or on the day.

·       Area Newsletter – there is still time to order one so please see Jean Clayton at the Information Desk. 

4        Area News  

·       The National Chair (Sue Brinton) has sent a letter which can be read on the notice board.

·       Sue Spencer our Area Chair has sent a letter with a list of North East Area dates for 2015 which is on the notice board.  Chair asked members to read this and note dates.

·       Minutes of the NE Area AGM held last November are on the notice board.

·       Festive Food and Flower Show Blackpool – Information and leaflets are on the information desk – this is a wonderful show and not to be missed. 

5        Speaker – Chair welcomed Anne Drake with her talk entitled ‘The Tradescants and their steps of discovery’. Anne is a NAFAS qualified speaker and we are fortunate to have her in our Club. Chair informed the club that for the last 18 years Anne has donated all the fees for her talks to the Bradford Branch of the Altzeimer’s Society and so far £7000 has been donated to the cause. 

          Anne’s talk took us to the 16th and 17th centuries when John Tradescant and his son John developed a love of plant exploration and collecting new plants for the gardens of royalty and for his own pleasure by travelling the world.  The talk was illuminated with wonderful props made by Anne – an amazing embroidered banner to represent the cherry tree Tradescant discovered, a shield to represent shells seen on their travels; – an amazing outfit worn by Robert Cecil, first secretary of State to James I.  Anne informed the meeting that the Ashmolean Museum in London has a good collection of the Tradescants together with the Bodleian Library.  Anne encouraged us to remember the Tradescants and what they have done for our gardens when we see all the spring flowers – tulips, crocuses, snowdrops etc. 

          Joyce Longthorn gave the vote of thanks and complemented Anne on speaking so interestingly for 1 ½ hours without a fault. 

6        Flower Dip – there was a good variety of spring plants and Anne donated a bunch of tulips. 

1      Sheila Clark
2      Audrey Tinker
3      Margaret Sanders
4      Elizabeth Byers
5      Ann Henderson
6      Joyce Pearson
7      Margaret Lees
8      June James
9      Kathleen Turner
10    Elizabeth Brook
11    Ena Barber

7        Next meeting – The next meeting will be on 16 March 2015 when there will be a change of demonstrator.  Carys Harrison who is a new demonstrator will demonstrate with her theme entitled ‘Have Passport, will Travel.

          The meeting closed at 9.10 and members were invited for light refreshments.