 Pat Horgan and Pat Day preparing an
arrangement for the Carillon Congress |
 This arrangement at the Congress
shows the Irish national colours |
Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club Newsletter
October 2002-10-02
Visit our website at: http://homepage.eircom.net/~cfhc
E-mail us at: cfhc@eircom.net
Welcome back to all our members after the summer break.
WAFA
Angela, Margot, Mary Coleman, Mary O’Brien and Mary Frahill travelled to the World Show in Glasgow. What a great way to meet other flower arrangers from all over the globe. Of course, we analysed every single entry in every single class and I’m quite sure we have rolls of photos. We attended demonstrations given by world renowned exhibitors – it’s now official – don’t throw anything away – old pipes, concrete blocks, newspapers, car parts – apparently you will need them all for the flower arrangements of the future. ARE WE READY FOR THIS?
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Demonstration by Ms Eve Swift NAFAS
On Monday June 17th the Club was host to Ms Eve Swift NAFAS who gave a marvellous demonstration. Eve is the sister of Cobh Flower Club Member Joyce Clifford and she travelled to Cobh especially for the event. She is a very talented lady with many interests besides flower arranging – but it was easy to see how she enjoys demonstrating – she is now retired but was persuaded to share her talents at a very well attended meeting. Eve did several exhibits and the lucky prize-winners had great difficulty deciding on which one to choose. There was a very relaxed atmosphere during the evening and Eve encouraged everyone to join in the discussion. A very popular demonstrator and one we hope will return in the future.
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World Carillon Federation: The 13th Congress was held in Cobh from July 28th to August 1st – this brought approximately 300 visitors to our town from all over the world. Mr Adrian Gebruers, carilloneur at St. Colman’s Cathedral is President of the Federation.
The ladies of the Flower Club decorated the Cathedral for the event – this involved a lot of preparation and various workdays in advance. However, everyone got great satisfaction and the overall impact was widely admired by the visitors and the people of Cobh.
Below is a copy of the notice displayed at the entrance to the Cathedral and beside a board on which the logo of the World Carillon Federation was mounted. This notice was also included in the souvenir programme given to all visitors and participating carilloneurs.
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• Depicted, here is the logo of the World Carillon Federation fashioned from Rhododendron leaves.
• At the entrance to the Belfry is a flower arrangement interpreting the World Carillon Congress. The globe is the world. From this, various cups are suspended, representing bells from the participating nations. The creator has taken some artistic licence in suspending these, to portray bells being played by rope pulling.
• The many flower arrangements on the main altar, the side altars and the body of the Cathedral are created in colours mirroring the magnificent stained glass windows.
• This year, the World Carillon Federation Congress in Cobh is host to 16 Nations. As a special tribute – a bell dedicated to each of 14 countries and bearing the colours and name of that country is hanging on the pillars.
• The remaining two countries are represented by flower arrangements in the main aisle. These countries are Ireland and Belgium.
Ireland is the Host country and the birthplace of the current President – Mr Adrian Gebruers, Carilloneur at St. Colman’s Cathedral.
Belgium is the birthplace of Mr Staf Gebruers, father of Adrian, and first Carilloneur at St. Colman’s Cathedral.
| Pat Horgan and Pat Day preparing an
arrangement for the Carillon Congress |
This arrangement at the Congress
shows the Irish national colours |
Organic Gardening and Composting.
by
Mr Peter Fitzgerald
Monday September 9th was the date for the first meeting after our summer holidays and we had Mr Peter Fitzgerald to talk about Organic Gardening and Composting. We are being encouraged nowadays to re-cycle and what better way to start than by composting. Peter told us that we could reduce the amount of household rubbish being disposed of weekly in our bins by employing one of two methods of composting.
1. A Wormery can be started by purchasing some Tiger Worms and kept in an enclosed bin. Gradually various waste can be introduced and if the worms like it – it can be increased in volume. This is a somewhat specialised method of composting.
2. A compost bin is a simpler method altogether. A bin – similar to the wheelie bins – but without the bottom can be used (alternately, one can be built by using a four sided structure made of concrete blocks etc.) Some method of getting the resulting compost out – such as a small door at the bottom of the bin makes things easier. The main thing to remember is that no cooked food should be disposed of as this can encourage rodents. Raw vegetable and fruit peelings, grass cuttings, shredded paper and other materials can be used. These all break down and eventually form a really good compost for use in the garden. The volume reduces as the matter composts. Many books are available on the subject.
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Thanks:
Sincere thanks to all who helped with flowers for Corpus Christi in St. Colman’s Cathedral.
Thanks also to the small group of members who turned up to help with flowers for the Chamber of Commerce Dinner in the Commodore Hotel. Are members aware that we receive a donation for this work which we include in the overall sum, raised by our club during a two-year period to be passed onto the charity chosen by AOIFA – The current charity is the Irish Heart Foundation.
Thanks to the many members who helped make the flowers and other exhibits for the Congress of the World Federation of Carilloneurs in St. Colman’s Cathedral such a success.
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Congratulations are due to two grannies -
• President Eileen Coleman on the birth of her first grandchild – Baby Noah.
• Ms Sheila O’Shea on the birth of another grand-daughter.
• Angela Heffron on achieving her ECDL.
• Mary Coleman on winning Best in Show in Conna in September. ……………………………………….
Dates for your Diary:
• Killarney Homes and Garden Exhibition opens in the Gleneagle Hotel Exhibition Centre on the weekend of October 18th to 20th. Special emphasis will be on display gardens and there will be free advice on all horticultural problems.
• Farmleigh Gardens 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. Farmleigh opens to the public every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11 am. To 4 pm. Contact Sharon Doyle at 01-8155980, or 01-8155900.
• Cork Garden Club in Ashton School have Ted Cook (Macroom) to speak on "Creating an Environment for Wildlife" on Thursday 10th October at 8 p.m.
• Gardening with Charlie Wilkins (in aid of the Cope Foundation) at the Midleton Park Hotel, on Thursday 31st October at 8.30 pm
• An Education Day will be given by Ms Mary Coleman AOIFA, on October 16th from 10 am.- 4.pm. Mary will demonstrate "Antiquing" – this is a very effective way to make decorative objects in natural and other materials. If you would like to participate – please book your place with Helen and bring along some dried plant material. Some members will have samples of finished objects on show at the October 7th meeting (Mini Show). Please bring a packed lunch on the day – tea, coffee and soup will be supplied. A really interesting and enjoyable day is assured.
• The Annual Mass for Deceased Members of Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club will be held in the Prayer and Pastoral Centre on Monday 4th November at 8.pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
• Gala Christmas Demonstration will be held in the Commodore Hotel on November 27th . The Demonstrator will be Ms Rose Hickey AOIFA. Tickets from committee members.
• Christmas Party - December 27th – Bring a "cold plate" and a small gift (price not to exceed 5 Euro) for another club member. Desserts are welcome!!!
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If you have something for inclusion in the newsletter
Contact me at: cfhc@eircom.net
Tel. Margot at 4811563
Website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~cfhc