Sylvia Parkes, flower arranging tutor for Leasowes College, was the demonstrator at our April club evening and her arrangements depicted ‘An Easter Parade’.

Her first arrangement was in white which could be used in church.

Sylvia set the scene with a placement of ‘one I had done earlier’ and then counter-balanced this with another using a white candle with Singapore orchids and carnations with foliage of hellibore, ivy and green phormium leaves.

The Spring Basket was a wonderful array of yellow.

It was a vertical arrangement with yellow tulips and a cascade of forsythia and daffodills.

White carnations complimented the white twigs. The foliage used was varigated ivy and euonymous leaves.

An Easter Bonnet was created using a posy bowl of yellow carnations for the base, aspidestra leaves and peacock feathers formed the back of the bonnet and very colourful freesias adorned the brim – this would have won 'Best Prize' in any competition!

The Contintental Design was created with pink flowers. Sylvia gave us a tip of making trellis from pruned twig and entwined flowering currant, gerberas and roses, with foliage of skimmia, phormium and varigated myrtle.

Sylvia had visited Monet's Garden and her last arrangement depicted the luscious foliage found in the Water Gardens. Sylvia used a very large green vase. Sylvia's favourite colour is green and her favourite foliage is ivy. The foliage used was twisted hazel, fatsia and hellibore leaves and varigaged ivy. Green anthurimums and golden carnations were encaptured in a wonderful spray of green orchids. This was a stunning arrangement and Sylvia proved that she is as good a teacher as she is a demonstrator. Belinda Bunny came as well and joined in the Easter Parade!

Frank Hardy, former Vice Principal of Pershore College is the Speaker on MAY 6th when he will be advising us about Summer Planting.

There will be Question Time and a Plant Sale. Our club meets at The Baptist Church, Four Ways, Corngreaves Road, Cradley Heath B64 6BL. Doors open at 6.45pm for 7.30pm. Entrance £3 including coffee/tea/biscuits. All are welcome.