Founded in 1986, Deal & District Flower Club is a flourishing, enthusiastic club with 40 active members.
In addition to talking about the uplifting cheery feeling that flowers can give you, the club is also about the social aspect, gaining new friends and getting support at the club. All abilities are present at the club from absolute beginners to city and guilds trained florists! Some people come to participate and learn new skills, and new ways of doing things, others just come along to observe, enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Whatever brings you joy!
Angela Sheehan is the Secretary of the club and we spoke to her to find out more about this blossoming club.
When did the Deal & District Flower Club start and what was the reason for starting the club?
Deal & District Flower Club started in 1986. The two co-founders that initially set up the club were originally members of Dover FC and they thought the Deal and surrounding area was big enough to have its own flower club.
They were both delighted and surprised when 92 people turned up the very first meeting!
What do your meetings involve and what would you say have been the club’s proudest moments over its 38-year history?
Our flower club calendar holds a mix of practical meetings interspersed with demonstrations by National and Area demonstrators alike. We also host in-house workshops, for instance, our next workshop is on “How To Create A Spring Wreath”.
There are many proud moments during the club’s 38-year history, from winning a highly commended award at RHS Chelsea in the late 1980s for a floral arrangement titled “2000 Leagues Under the Sea” to being proud of supporting local charities and flower festivals, but perhaps most importantly being a vibrant, flourishing, friendly club that is welcoming and encouraging to all people.
What are the best flowers to plant in April/May?
The best flowers, as advised by one of our long-standing committee members and a keen gardener, are dahlias, sweet peas, ammi, and cosmos. All these can be used in flower arranging in a variety of ways.
Can you tell us more about your May event by Trudie Easton and your June outing?
Trudi is a National demonstrator and an RHS Chelsea Gold medal winner in 2021. Her demo is entitled “Queen Bees” and apparently her theme links to inspirational women. Trudi has performed a demo for the club in the past and all were enthralled by her designs and knowledge, we just had to invite her along again to entertain us. Visitors are very welcome (and encouraged) to attend at £6 entry fee.
Our June outing will be on Thursday 20th. Each year the committee discuss and decides on an NGS garden to visit as a group. This year it was decided we should honour our wonderful long-standing member Lyn Buller who has been featured and short-listed in BBC’s Gardeners’ World magazine, (2023) and has raised thousands of pounds for the NGS charities.
Lyn will give a talk with a slide show explaining how her garden was developed/achieved and then we will walk to admire and smell her garden in all its glory (approx. 5 min walk from the Cleary Hall, Landmark Centre High St, Deal at 10:30am). All are welcome to attend.
Are you currently looking for any new members and if so, how can interested readers enquire to find out more?
We currently have 37 members and of course, would always love to welcome new members to come and join us.
The annual subscription fee is £30 which is very good value as most of the demonstrations and practical meetings are free to members. Some people prefer to drop in and out at various times of the year and pay £6 per individual session. We usually give a potential new member a first practical session free. We serve complimentary beverages and biscuits.
People can get in touch by emailing the club secretary Angela Sheehan at [email protected] or looking at the Facebook page (Deal & District Flower Club) or www.kentfloralart.co.uk (D&DFC is listed under “Our Clubs”).
From a personal perspective, what do you enjoy most about living in Deal?
For me personally, what I love about living in the area is the wonderful scenic variety on our doorstep, whether it is a coast or countryside kind of day. It’s not until visitors come and enthuse about the place and how friendly everyone is that full appreciation is felt and I remind myself how lucky I am to live here!
When I first moved to the area 10 years ago it was a neighbour who introduced me to the flower club. It was a great way of making new friends, helping me settle into the area but I have also learnt new skills (previous levels of flower arranging were placing the petrol station flowers in a cut-down lemonade bottle!!) I’m pleased to report a great deal of improvement since joining the club!
What do the upcoming spring/summer months have in store for Deal & District Flower Club and where/when do you meet as a club?
- 3rd May – this is National Flower Arranging Day where small floral arrangements are left in local shops, Deal library or given to someone a member feels is deserving to bring a smile and joy. A note accompanies the arrangements informing people it is NFA Day and was made by a member of Deal & District Flower Club and to “please take home and enjoy.”
- 16th May – Demo by Trudi Easton as discussed.
- 25th – 27th May – Kent Area Show at Detling Showground.
- 15th June – Kent Club Day (an opportunity for all 27 Kent flower clubs to get together, see flyer) at Elham Village Hall.
- 18th July – D&DFC hosts a demo by Patricia Ellis entitled “Serendipity”.
- 15th August – Although not officially on our programme we generally try to meet up and get together, plans are afoot but it may be a “picnic in the park” somewhere locally.
The Flower Club meets on the third Thursday of the month (except August & December)
Meetings are held in the Cleary Hall, The Landmark Centre, High St, Deal, Kent, CT14 6BB.
Time 7:30pm.
Chairman – Penny Barnes.
Secretary – Angela Sheehan.