Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club
December 2002
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During the mid 1960’s as a member of the Fethard
(Co. Tipperary) I.C.A. I availed of the opportunity to learn the art of flower arranging.
As more people became interested, a Flower Club was formed. As well as our regular
meetings, we enjoyed decorating the altar of the local Parish Church and entering exhibits
at the local annual Flower Show which attracted exhibits and visitors from around the
country. As the growing of shrubs wasn’t as prolific as more recent years, many a
Sunday afternoon was spent raiding the hedgerows of the country roads for suitable
foliage. Unlike nowadays, we just had the occasional demonstrator one of whom was none
other than the great Julia Clements – what an honour!
On moving to Cobh in the early 1970’s, I was very keen to keep up my
interest in flower arranging, and thanks to the late Mrs Wharton, I joined the Cobh Flower
Club, which was only in its infancy that time. Through word of mouth, and masses of
encouragement, membership increased tremendously, bringing fresh ideas and allowing people
to develop their own styles. I served on the Committee for several years and had the
pleasure of serving as President for 3 years.
I have wonderful memories of being involved in numerous memorable events,
but it wouldn’t have been as enjoyable if I didn’t have the support of my flower
club friends and, in particular, my late husband who played a major role in chauffeuring
me together with all sorts of arrangement "material", (including the flask of
tea and sandwiches!!) to many a venue.
So, having spent over 30 years involved in this wonderful art I retired
some years ago, but thanks to the Committee I am still an Honorary Member.
Eileen Madigan.
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AOIFA
Margot and Mary Coleman attended the AOIFA Council Meeting on Thursday 7th November in Thurles.
Various matters were discussed and a full report is available in the minutes – these
can be obtained from the secretary, Helen. Olive O’Shea AOIFA demonstrated her
"Christmas Ideas" in the afternoon.
• Congratulations were extended to
the executive on the great success of the National Flower Festival – "Behold the
Lilies…" held in Tipperary recently and attended by many members of the Cobh
club.
• The elimination heats of the
Inter-club and Floral Artist of the Year have been held and the finals will be held in the
Munster Hotel, Thurles on Saturday 8th October, 2003. The titles will be –
Inter-club: "When the end of day awakens an old memory"
Floral Artist of the Year: Spirit of the Woods
• In 2004 the entry fee for the heats of the
Floral Artist of the Year will be raised to 20 Euro and 5 Euro will be non-refundable.
• The next meeting for Club Presidents and Vice
Presidents will be 5th June, 2003 in Thurles.
• The next World Show takes place in Japan in
2005 – no schedule has been issued yet.
• The NAFAS show will be held in Bournemouth in
June 2003 – look out for cheap fares from Cork Airport which now has a daily flight
to Bournemouth.
• The Regional Meetings will be held by AOIFA in
the following places –
Ennis- 17th June, 2003. Dunboyne- 14th
June, 2003. Conna- 13th Sept. 2003.
These meetings are held to encourage ordinary members of all flower clubs
throughout the country to attend at least one AOIFA meeting annually.
•
There
are still some places available for the social weekend to be held on 7th – 9th March in Dundrum House,
Co. Tipperary. Candy Holton will demonstrate.
•
The
telephone number of the AOIFA secretary, has been changed to 059-9775321.
•
The
next AOIFA meeting will be held on 19th March 2003 in Thurles.
•
Remember
individual membership of AOIFA is open to all – cost 5 Euro.
•
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Dates for your Diary
Rose Hickey will demonstrte in the Walter
Raleigh Hotel, Youghal on Tuesday 3rd December.
Theresa Collins will be in Fermoy
on Tuesday December.
Jamie Burnside will demonstrate in Kinsale
on 10th April, 2003
Farmleigh Gardens, Dublin, opens to the
public every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11a.m to 4pm. The Farmleigh Pleasure
Grounds consist of Victorian and Edwardian garden features. These include mature conifers,
fountain and lake, conservatory and exotic plants, sunken Dutch-style garden, and walled
gardens with an extensive collection of ornamental flowering trees, shrubs and climbers.
For further information contact Sharon Doyle at 01-8155980.
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Christmas Present Ideas
• Subscription to
Garden Heaven Magazine – Send a cheque or
postal order made payable to ‘Garden Heaven Ltd’ for 16.00 Euro to: Garden
Heaven Magazine, 13 Northbrook Terrace, Dublin 3. Remember to include your name, the
address to which you would like the magazine to be delivered and your telephone number and
an e-mail address if you have one.
• The "Big Gulp" compost bin has a 250 litre capacity and is perforated with a removable base and
hinged filling lid. It also has a sliding access flap at the bottom. Made in Ireland and
costs 89 Euro from Fruit Hill Farm, Bantry, Co. Cork. Tel 027 50710 or www.fruithillfarm.com
• Can-o-worms – This exciting composting system utilises worms which are
nature’s own recyclers. By putting worms to work in this innovative system you
3rd
will be converting your food waste into nutrient rich 100% organic fertiliser.
Available from Grow Green Products, Blessington, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 01-4582261
• Cast Iron Garden Furniture,
Flower Pots and Statues,(Free delivery
nationwide). Low Voltage Garden Lights (delivery by post 5.50 Euro per box) Peter and Margaret Kerssens,
Blackwater, Killarney Co. Kerry. Tel: 064-82977. www.strawberryfield-ireland.com
• A tree, shrub or plant to mark Christmas 2002 – available from one of the many garden
centres in Co. Cork.
• Barbecues, patio heaters, Lifestyle Outdoor Living – Tel: 01-6270099
• Phormium in a Pot – One of the best plants for growing in a pot is the phormium as it can
be moved to a protected area in the winter. There are many varieties but here are some
ideas for those exceptionally suited for pot-growing – "Cream Delight" has
arching cream-striped leaves. "Apricot Queen" has more upright honey-yellow
leaves. "Jester" has long arching leaves in pale red and green. "Maori
Chief" has pink and red stripes and "Dazzler" is bronze, red and pink.
• Books:The Weekend Gardener by Susanna Longley. Published by Collins and
Brown. Price approx. 25Euro.
Fast Plants by Sue Fisher. Published by Collins and Brown. Price approx.
28Euro.
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Sympathy
We, the members of Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club would like to express
our sympathy to the family of our late friend and member Mrs Nancy O’Rourke who died
recently. We remember Nancy with great affection. She was a member of our club for many
years and will be sadly missed.
Sympathy is also extended to Honorary Member - Mrs Angela Kelly and her
family on the death of her husband Dr Paddy Kelly.
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Congratulations - to Angela Heffron and
Maura Curtin on representing the club so well recently at the Inter-club held in Douglas.
Unfortunately, the girls did not qualify for the finals, but they certainly can hold their
heads up high as their exhibit received great praise from the judge and the many flower
arrangers who viewed the competition.
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Upcoming Events
Christmas Wreaths, Flowers for Christmas and the Ordination of |Deacon
Patrick Relihan to the Priesthood in St Colman’s Cathedral – volunteers are
needed for Monday 23rd December, 2002.
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Next Meeting
Monday 13th January, 2003 at 8 pm. The annual general meeting will be held –
all members are urged to attend.
If you have matters to discuss or ideas for meetings in 2003 please feel
free to suggest them at this time.
Details of the Gardening Night to be held in February will be announced at
this meeting.
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"He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the
flowers he had created are beautiful; how the splendour of the rose and the whiteness of
the lily do not take away the perfume of the violet or the delightful simplicity of the
daisy. I understood that if all the flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her
springtime beauty and the fields would no longer be decked out with the little wild
flowers"
St. Therese of Lisieux.
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Give the birds a tweat!!
It’s time to start feeding the birds so consider planting to provide
shelter and food. Avoid cutting back seed heads of annuals and perennials. Birds
appreciate protection in our gardens – somewhere to roost, to nest and to shelter
from thunderstorms. A mixture of open shrubs, where they can keep a wary eye on
what’s going on around them, and dense shrubs, which provide protection is ideal.
If you are putting out food for them remember Sunflower seeds are more
suitable than peanuts which are often contaminated. Wholemeal bread – broken into
small pieces and soaked in water provides an easy meal.
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Happy Christmas to all members of Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club.
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If you wish to submit an article or make a comment please contact -
e-mail: cfhc@eircom.net Tel: Margot: 4811563
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