https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/ en Copyright 2011 Fri, 23 May 2008 09:38:05 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.33-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The sniffer dog came back to see us with his tail between his legs and he apologised for walking all over our stand, at the time we weren't happy but he's actually a beautiful dog and we all wanted to take him home! An extra bit of good news for NAFAS, the promotional exhibit in the Floral Design Marquee was judged andand awarded an RHS gold medal. This exhibit is promoting the NAFAS flower festival in May 2009. ]]> Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/the_barbie_dolls.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/the_barbie_dolls.html Marion Odd Fri, 23 May 2008 09:38:05 +0000 I'd like to thank all of the NAFAS members who have visited our stand, particularly the Kent members who have supported us and fundraised for us over the last 18 months. This exhibit would not have been possible without them. We love the comments on the blog - keep them coming! Thankfully the weather is not too hot, we are situated near an entrance and a draught constantly comes through the open door. Cut flowers do not like draughts and some of our gloriosa lilies have been blown to the opposite side of the stand. Consequently it has been necessary to have two overnight deliveries and it's been my job to get up in the night to receive and condition them so that they are ready for the team to bring to the showground at 6am when we are allowed to replenish the stand. Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/thankfully_the_weather_is_not.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/thankfully_the_weather_is_not.html Marion Odd Thu, 22 May 2008 12:55:33 +0000 We are very pleased with the result, we'd have liked a gold medal obviously, but to be awarded a silver-gilt at a horticultural show is very good. The public absolutely love it and are saying how lovely it is to see all the colours in the flesh. It makes all our hard work worth while to see their reactions. For the second year running the sniffer-dogs took a fancy to our stand and ran all over it with muddy paws minutes before the judges where due to arrive yesterday, I could have done without that! It's not easy to look after the stand and watering is particularly tricky. We have long hoses lances and are just grateful that it's sunny but not too hot! Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/we_are_very_pleased.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/we_are_very_pleased.html Marion Odd Tue, 20 May 2008 12:06:01 +0000 It is NAFAS' golden anniversary next year and to celebrate, Harkness Roses are launching a new rose at the Chelsea Flower Show called 'Golden Fanfare'. It's a beautiful, traditional country rose with lots of petals and is described as 'a good mixer'. It lasts for ages as a cut flower which is more than a happy coincidence! ]]> Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/im_very_proud_of_the_team.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/im_very_proud_of_the_team.html Marion Odd Mon, 19 May 2008 06:15:44 +0000 The Kent Team of NAFAS has finally arrived at Chelsea and everything has started to take shape. Firstly the stand had to be checked to ensure it was level and as firm as possible to take the heavy metal structure. This is sometimes difficult as for ten months of the year the Chelsea showground is a football pitch but, alas, not quite up to Stamford Bridge standards. Then came the carpet underlay, the Hessian fabric and finally the polythene for protection whilst working on the stand. Scaffolding was erected so that the team could start arranging the high placements on Friday. The first delivery of blooms arrived early on Friday morning and the delphiniums virtually disappeared up into the roof of the Great Pavilion. Once this area is completed and the scaffolding removed, it is impossible to access these blooms again until the end of the show - pretty worrying at any time but when, as last week, temperatures were reaching 80 degrees, it was more than worrying, it was terrifying! We are all very pleased that it is now much cooler. Next it's off to check the plant list and make sure that everything ordered has arrived and is in perfect condition so that the printing of out leaflet may be completed. ]]> Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/up_up_and_away.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/up_up_and_away.html Marion Odd Sat, 17 May 2008 16:37:18 +0000 With only a week to go before the Chelsea Flower Show, the 'Secret Stand' of the Kent Area of NAFAS was dismantled at its hideaway in rural Kent, packed up with loving care and prepared for its journey on Thursday to the Chelsea Flower Show site. Meanwhile, hundreds of blooms will be arriving at the wholesaler in Ashford, where a 'Conditioning Team' of hand-picked ladies will be conditioning and preparing the flowers ready to be transported to Chelsea on Friday and Saturday and even Sunday if necessary. On Thursday afternoon the team will be arriving at Chelsea when work gets underway in the Great Pavilion (site no. GPC/6) to prepare the stand. Firstly the twenty foot square stand has to be covered with carpet underlay, followed by Hessian and finally polythene sheeting. When all this is in place, scaffolding is erected and three well trained husbands will assemble the structure. The scaffolding is left in position so on Friday morning the team can start working on the highest sections of the structure and the first delivery of flowers will be arriving. Once these sections are completed, which will be Friday afternoon, the scaffolding must be removed so the team can get to the middle sections which will be reached from step ladders. On Saturday morning the second delivery of flowers will arrive and 'Nature's Kaleidoscope' (the exhibit title) will really start to take shape. After almost two years of planning, designing, experimenting, and even sleepless nights, the team will see their creation coming together into a wonderful exhibit which will grace the Great Pavilion and show off flower arranging and designing at its very best. Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/its_all_happening_now.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/its_all_happening_now.html Marion Odd Mon, 12 May 2008 10:31:47 +0000 There's just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the Chelsea Flower Show! An intrepid team of nine dedicated lady flower arrangers from the Kent Area of NAFAS are well under way with their exhibit which will be displayed in the Great Pavilion. At a 'secret' location in the heart of Kent, the team is finalising its design which will be 20 feet square and over 18 feet high! The last time that Kent as an area participated at the Chelsea Show was way back in 1984. A final look by the National Chairman of NAFAS has just taken place, but the Kent Team is still not revealing the final design details to any of its 1,300 members in the Kent Area. The team, led by Brenda Jackson, a floral art teacher from Meopham, near Gravesend, along with arrangers from all corners of the County of Kent, has been working hard creating this wonderful floral design over the last eighteen months. Meetings have been held with the floral wholesaler from Ashford, who will be supplying the fabulous and unusual flowers for this magical exhibit. We will keep you in touch with their progress over the next few hectic days until 'Judging time' on 19 May! Marion Odd - NAFAS https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/nafas_prepares_for_chelsea.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/flowershows/2008/05/nafas_prepares_for_chelsea.html Marion Odd Tue, 06 May 2008 16:30:34 +0000