THE first meeting of our year, held on April 1, was well attended.

Annual Subscriptions were paid, new programmes were available, and members settled down to an evening of stunning flower arranging and laughter.

Sally Taylor a local area demonstrator took the stage with her demonstration entitled “Tales of a Gloucestershire Lass”.

Her first arrangement an ’Easter Delight’ was a seasonal array of forsythia, viburnum, and skimmia with blue and pink hyacinths, daffodils, polyanthus, parrot tulips, and narcissi.

A nest containing mini Easter eggs and some artificial chicks completed the scene of a cottage garden with a picket fence.

Sally used white chrysanthemums, and white stocks finished with a rustic raffia bow to create a modern design for her second arrangement.

For her third design Sally skilfully arranged cornus and pink painted twigs on a striking base of driftwood to which she added some beautiful pink Cala lillies and dusky pink roses.

Her fourth design was a double arrangement of gerberas and roses on a base she called her ’Madonna and child.’

A lantern shaped container was the base for her unusual forth design of pink painted twigs alstroemeria and pink roses.

For her finale Sally made another double arrangement using fatsia leaves, japonica, rosemary and aspidistra on a vertical frame to which she attached sprays of white orchids and anthiriums.

Throughout her demonstration Sally gave members some good tips for making attractive arrangements, whilst keeping the audience laughing with amusing stories of her family life.

Our competition secretary thanked members for the large number of entries this month.

Elaine Bushby was the overall winner.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, May 6 at 7.30pm in Nailsworth Town Hall when Pamela Lewis (National) will be demonstrating “Summer’s Bounty” visitors are always welcome.