Minutes of the Meeting of the Bradford Flower Club held on Monday 18th November 2019 at Haworth Road Methodist Church:

Chair opened the special guest meeting by offering a very warm welcoming not only to our members, honorary members, our guests but also to our Lord Mayor Councillor Doreen Lee and her guest Vanda Greenwood. Also present was the new NE Area Chairman Janet Ratcliffe

Chair said that it was lovely to have Doreen back with us at the Club once again. Chair said that the Club had been successful with a grant made available the last time she was in office, and the money has helped the Club to continue (well at least for some time) to have our full programme of demonstrators.

Chair introduced Vanda saying many members will know her as she is very active and supportive in many local issues.

Another special guest at the meeting was Janet Ratcliffe. She was made the NE Area Chairman at the AGM on Saturday at the meeting in Wakefield. Congratulations were given to Janet on her appointment and hoped she would enjoy her term of office. This may be her first of very many Club visits.

Another welcomed member who was at the club was Pat Wiley. Pat had not been to the Club since its diamond anniversary.

Chair said that as many of our meetings seem to be going, she had two sad notes to report tonight. Many may already know that Barbara Jagger died on the 1st of November. Barbara had been poorly for some time but her death was still a bit of a shock. Details of her funeral were then given to members.

Jean Clayton after an evening out had had a fall and broken her hip. So, it was hoped she would be able to recover and soon get back to better health.

It was hoped that members had had a good look at our very Christmassy Sales Table tonight and had found and even ordered many things to start them thinking about their own home Christmas decorations. Everyone who had contributed and helped make the table look so festive was thanked.

Chair stated that it had been the NE area AGM on Saturday. As always, the AGM was a very interesting day. A few of our members were there and we listened to the many activities the Area had been involved with over the year. The Annual reports were once again emailed out in advance as was the financial report which made the meeting much shorter.

Chair had put these reports on our Notice Board if anyone would like to have a read along with the finance report. She was pleased to report that the Area had made a profit of just over £696 on the year, down from £1k last year.

After lunch there was a lovely demonstration by Ian Lloyd with the title Natures Christmas. Ian produced some 14 arrangements all without oasis. His mechanics, other than one urn and metal rings, were made by Ian and were given out with his flowers in the raffle. Chair stated that she hadn’t realised you could produce so many hand ties that were so different and used so many flowers. The stage was certainly full at the end of the afternoon.

Club members were also informed that Spen Valley Flower Club are having Tony Brown to demonstrate on Wednesday 27th Nov at St Pauls Church Birkenshaw. Tickets are £8 and the demo starts at 7.30 and I am sure Pat will take names of anyone wishing to go.

Ilkley were also having Lee Berrill with ‘All that Glitters’ on Monday 2nd December at the Clark Foley Centre. Tickets for this are £10 and include a glass of wine. Doors open 6.30 for a 7.30 demo.

Both details are on the Notice Board.

Chair had three further notices for our own December Christmas meeting. She asked that if members were bringing cards for other member that they distribute these themselves. Once again if you simply wish to bring one card Sandra will gladly put it on the Club Christmas Card Board. A donation to club Funds would be greatly appreciated. Secondly that we are again planning to have our usual Christmassy fancy dress for members and our fuddle at the end of the meeting. As always, a plate of either savoury or sweet seemed to provide a wonderful and colourful table with plenty to share as a supper at the end of the meeting. Finally, at this meeting we will also be taking orders for the Area Newsletter. Copies are once again 50p so that will be £1 for the two editions.

Chair then welcomed Eileen Barraclough saying that she needed no introduction only to say she has probably been and done most things very successfully. Club always had a very entertaining evening with Eileen and were asked to put their hands together for Eileen and her title ‘Saying it with Flowers’

Lord Mayor Councillor Doreen Lee gave the vote of thanks.

Following the flower dip members were reminded about the Fuddle and that Christmas dress would be optional but it is lovely to see everyone Christmassy so please get out those cheesy Christmas jumpers and ear rings and let’s make the hall look colourful once again.

Our next meeting would be on the 16th December our usual third Monday night. Our Demonstrator would be Judy Watker with her title Gin gle Bells.

It was hoped all had enjoyed the evening and were asked to join us for refreshments and visit our sales tables on their way out. Then have a safe journey home.