E-mail: cfhc@eircom.net

Website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~cfhc

Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club was formed in 1972. Its aim is to provide a forum for those interested in flower arranging, gardening and horticulture, and associated crafts.

The club meets monthly in the Prayer and Pastoral Centre, Bishop’s Road, Cobh. – usually on the first Monday – (this can change if there is a bank holiday) Meetings commence at 8 p.m.

Meetings normally consist of a talk or demonstration by a visiting expert. Work nights and educational days and courses also form part of the activities. Tea is served after the meeting and a raffle is held.

Other events include

• A Gala Christmas Demonstration.
• A biennial open show catering for both decorative and horticulture enthusiasts.
• An annual outing to interesting gardens and garden centres.
• An annual dinner.
• The club decorates all churches in the town for various celebrations during the year and individual members use their skills to provide floral arrangements for weddings and other functions.

A schedule of events is published annually.. Details of club events are to be found in the Great Island and Parish Newsletters, on posters displayed in the town and in the Irish Examiner on Saturdays in the Charlie Wilkins column. The schedule is also displayed on the Web site.

Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club is a member of the

Association of Irish Floral Artists

(A.O.I.F.A.)

A.O.I.F.A. is an association incorporating 57 clubs throughout Ireland.

Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club and all affiliated clubs are represented at all A.O.I.F.A meetings.  The committee of A.O.I.F.A. is selected from all associated clubs and is normally based in a different region for a period of two years. The present executive committee is just finishing it’s current term of office in Cork and the next committee will be based in Tipperary. Individual membership is available by paying a fee of 10 Euro. Details can be obtained from the secretary at info@aoifa.com or from the quarterly newsletter.

The term of office of committees for flower and garden clubs is normally two years and a charity is selected to benefit from proceeds of at least one fundraising event held by each club during this period. The Arthritis Foundation was the selected charity for the years 2000 – 2002. The charity for 2002 – 2004 will be The Irish Heart Foundation.

A.O.I.F.A. is affiliated to the

World Association of Flower Arrangers

(W.A.F.A.)

W.A.F.A. incorporates all national associations and holds a yearly show.    The 2002 show will be held in Glasgow in June.  Details are available from the British Association - NAFAS (See Links)