Monmouth Floral Society was pleased to welcome Cathryn Brown from Bristol with her theme of “A Flower Prescription”. Cathryn is an Environmental Health Officer which is a very demanding, sometimes stressful occupation and she finds flower arranging a perfect way to relax and forget the rigours of the day.

Her first display was Sunshine which is so important to our wellbeing.

This was based on a tall stand comprised of six circular linkages sprayed gold and with a half block of oasis on top. To this she created a diagonal shape with dried strelitzia leaves which had assumed interesting shapes during the process and sprayed gold. Palm leaves, cut and sprayed gold to which were added stems of sarcococcus, bergenia leaves, aucuba japonica . Three stems of false Bird of Paradise, Hypericum Casino (pink), 5 Touche red and orange roses completed the arrangement. This was complemented by a matching smaller arrangement.

Her second arrangement was based on the theme of Forest - woodland walking is very relaxing.

Based on a splendid piece of wood a dish with half block of oasis was filled with palm leaves, hellebore leaves, bergenia leaves and manipulated dracena leaves. The arrangement was completed with five yellow ochre pinhead proteas. This was complemented by a matching smaller arrangement.

Third was based on Diet. This was a non-foam design in a large pot sprayed copper and filled with copper mesh.

Again palm leaves; very small pink gladioli; Country Blues deep pink double peony roses and double pink tulips. This was finished with cut limes on kebab sticks and matched with a smaller arrangement.

Fourth: Exercise: Nordic Walking in Madeira. This was a bowl created from strips of bark, lichen and moss, lined with plastic and with a small tray and half block of oasis at the base. One tall stem of Heliconia or Lobster Claw, created the high point of a vertical arrangement followed by 5 stems of blue Agapanthus and a line of bright yellow gerberas (Tweety Pie). Again matched by a smaller matching one.

Fifth: Mindfulness. A very low square metal frame supported a basket created from balsa wood soaked in water and woven into a sheet and then sprayed gold. On this rested a half sphere of polystyrene, again sprayed gold and into this were placed stems of stephanandra, leather leaves sprayed pink and Prosecco gerberas and double pink tulips together with a smaller matching arrangement.

During her demonstration Cathy pointed out the importance of good diet and exercise together with relaxing hobbies such as knitting, crochet, walking and, of course, flower arranging.

After a Vote of Thanks by the Chairman Tineke Deuss, the arrangements were raffled and members retired for afternoon refreshments.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10th June at the Royal British Legion when the demonstrator will be National Demonstrator Michael Bowyer with “Summer Beauty”. This promises to be a very good afternoon. All members and visitors welcome. Doors open at 1.45pm