New Barkby W.I.

President Shirley Franklin welcomed members and visitors to the institutes October meeting.
‘Jerusalem’ was sung followed by a minute’s silence in memory of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II, President of Sandringham W.I. and a loyal member of the organisation.
The speaker for the evening was Flower Demonstrator Kerry Evans of Syston, a welcome return after some time (before the Covid pandemic began).
Kerry’s first arrangement was created in a flower basket and consisted of lilies, Chrysanthemums, September flowers (purple) and some smaller white flowers with laurel leaves used as foliage, all placed into oasis (floral foam).
The second arrangement was made on a red metal plate and made up of lilies, red, yellow and peach coloured roses, filled in with laurel leaves and other foliage. To complete it, Kerry made a figure-of-eight bow and attached it to the back of the creation using peach coloured ribbon.
Thirdly using a large empty plastic bottle, cut in half, an elastic band was pulled over the bottle so that foliage could be secured underneath it. Then using a spiral method to hold flowers in one hand, then separating each one, the stems were then cut off and could easily stand on their own, or as the demonstration showed, placed in the bottle – very simple but effective.
All arrangements were raffled off and three ‘Js’ were the lucky ones – Jean Brutnall, Julie Malam and Jan Oliver.
The vote of thanks was given by V Cobb and the competition for a picture of a pet was won by K Fryman with a photograph of her cat.
Refreshments were served by K Fryman and D Haynes.
The November meeting will be the AGM, held on 2nd November at 7.30pm at Syston Community Centre. Visitors are always welcome to attend.