The Society was delighted to welcome back Linda Garrett, NAFAS National Demonstrator from Abergavenny, with her theme “Harvest Home”.

First: Food. A low plate with a block of oasis was encircled with fatsia leaves, individual aucuba leaves, pittosporum to which were added small sunflowers, yellow ‘Brighton’ roses, dried poppy heads.This was complemented by a smaller matching arrangement.

Second: Eggs. A large white wicker nest shaped basket with a dish inside. Tall stems of privet, layers of fatshedera leaves, lonicera Baggesons Gold, spider’s web laurel, to which were added small white bridal gladioli, yellow mini gerberas, pale yellow carnation blooms and pale yellow spray carnations and very pale pink mini gerberas. This was complemented by a smaller matching arrangement.

Third: Colours of Autumn. A square orange box lined with cellophane into which was inserted some chicken wire and water. Stems of Cotinus Coggygria with osmanthus and griselinia. Tall stems of dark orange gladioli with orange and yellow roses, red bloom carnations and dried stems of crespidia made up a glorious representation of Autumn. A pumpkin, squash and red apples completed the display.

Fourth: The Hedgerow. Two long trays with dried aspidistra leaves pinned on to cover the oasis blocks. Stems of conifer with tiny cones gave a lovely, loose foundation. Tall Teasel heads, pittosporum, lonicera Baggesons Gold, green laurel, camellia foliages. Tall dark purple gladioli, blue statice, snowberry to which were added purple and pink asters, purple lizianthus, pink alstromeria, pink gerberas. A rabbit complemented the vertical arrangement.

Fifth: Milk. A small churn, the one used for milk taken from cows on antibiotics to separate it from the main tank collection, was used with a dish of oasis on top. Tall stems of rosemary, speckled spider’s web laurel, white edged pittosporum was used as the foundation for a traditional triangular arrangement to which were added white rose lilies (a lovely double lily with no red stamens), white alstromerias, white double lizianthus and white asters completed this lovely representation of milk.

The Chairman Tineke Deuss gave a Vote of Thanks for a delightful demonstration; all the arrangements were raffled off and members retired for afternoon refreshments and a catch up after the summer.

The next open meeting of Monmouth Floral Society will be on Wednesday, October 8 at Bridges.

Doors open 1.45 and all visitors are welcome. The demonstrator will be Sally Taylor with her theme “Sallying forth yet again”