GRASSROOTS: Society of floral art in Rustington

Midsummer was celebrated with a new demonstrator to the club, Jacqui Arnold, from Ashford, Kent, working to the title “Dream On”.

Jacqui told members she had passed her mock national exams and, judging from the first two arrangements, she had an exceptional talent, combined with an attractive personality.

One of her arrangements featured a very large champagne glass, about 3ft tall, filled with decorative silver balls and then arranged with pink roses, gerbera and columbine – perfect for a wedding.

Equally stunning was a metal wheelbarrow painted blue, with an arrangement of delphiniums, stocks, pink lilies, antirrhinums, pink roses and peonies.

Jacqui created a total of six arrangements and filled the stage setting beautifully. June Webster gave the vote of thanks, mentioning the wonderful individual choice of flowers and foliage, the colours, shapes and the great pleasure and inspiration members had enjoyed. The round of applause was the loudest heard this year!

Results of the June competition: intermediate, 1, Janis Saunders; 2, Penny Woodley.

Advanced, 1, Christabel Patterson Brown; joint 2, Sandy Evans and June Webster; 3, Beryl Barnes.

Penny encouraged everyone to enter next month’s competition “A Summer Basket”, for the Rene Barker Trophy.

The last meeting before the August break is on Thursday, July 28, at 2.30pm. The demonstrator is Jill Griffin and her title “In the Potting Shed”.