Roundhill Flower and Garden Club

After a busy end to July, the club and some members were very active again in August.

There was our regular demonstration evening at which we were entertained by florist and NAFAS demonstrator Maria Bradley from Nottinghamshire, then two of our experienced long-time members acted as tutors hosting a flower-arranging workshop forming part of the Crafts section at the new Syston Summer Fayre. They were kept on their toes!
The title of Maria Bradley’s demonstration was ‘Addicted to Strictly’, an enticing prospect for those of us who are fans of the well-known TV show. Each of her six designs was a floral interpretation of a traditional ballroom or Latin American dance rhythm, culminating in the contemporary ‘Show Dance’ after which winning contestants receive the famous ‘glitter ball’ trophy.
There was the Tango, with its staccato movements and angled body positions depicted by a diagonal shaped design on top of a tall glass container. Naturally, deep red roses had to be the flowers used, and equisetum grass bent into triangular shapes was interspersed for emphasis of the arm positioning.
We moved on to the Charleston, see picture above right, with its ‘flapper girl’ era replicated by a fan-shaped arrangement, again at the top of a tall glass container and draped with strands of pearl beads. Using palm leaves; white ‘ostrich’ feathers; plus white roses, antirrhinum and gypsophila we were already transported back to the 1920’s before a stunning white dahlia, the size of a dinner plate and home-grown by Maria, was inserted into the design as its centre focal point.
It was back to the traditional with the much-loved Waltz. In shades of blue, pink and mauve, the asymmetric shape set in a circular bowl symbolised the near iconic vision from 1960’s and 70’s competitions of the man in his tailcoat almost surrounded by the huge ‘powder-puff’ skirt of the lady’s dress – onto which she had often, ‘sewn the sequins herself’!
The lively nature of the Jive was interpreted by a hand-tied posy in hot colours of orange and plum surrounded by a ‘collar’ of frilled pink lace.
Then came the ‘Cha-Cha-Cha’. On a wooden base, its exotic Latin origins were portrayed in vibrant orange, yellow and gold, mixed with a cooling blue. Elegant Strelitzia, (Bird of Paradise), were combined with gerbera, dahlia, and delphinium. Two golden pineapples simulated maracas, enhancing the hip-shaking image.
As the finale, a low circular wreath ring filled with numerous forms and textures of foliage, plus white roses, anthurium and gypsophila, acted as the base into which a tall glass vase was inserted. This was filled with battery operated white lights, and topped with a large mirrored ‘glitter ball’ to depict the Show Dance and winner’s trophy.