Cork Flower Club Secretary Sue O’Neill with Club Chair Ann Hester with their 1st place trophy at the National Inter Club competitions in Salthill, Galway.

Let’s have a blooming great Christmas

Cork Flower Club, the oldest flower club in Ireland at 63 years, is kick-starting the Christmas season next week with its annual gala demonstration.

The highlight of the club’s calendar, this year’s event The Holly and The Ivy takes place next Tuesday at Rochestown Park Hotel at 7.30pm.

The show will feature demonstrator Karen Frew all the way from county Antrim, renowned in floral artistry circles as a teacher, demonstrator and judge. She will demonstrate all aspects of beautifying your home with lots of hints and tips to create a festive look without costing a fortune.

All the creations will be raffled off at the end of the demonstration with all proceeds going to The Alzheimer’s Society.

Floral accessory wizard Tim Mulchinock will also be present with his eclectic offering of gizmos and gadgets. Tickets for the Cork Flower Club gala demonstration are €20 and include refreshments. Tickets can be purchased from Sue at 087-6283737, or from Ann at 087-6169540.

Cork Flower Club came out on top at the recent AOIFE National Inter Club competitions, winning the first prize with Delightful Diversity, an arrangement with succulents, dried grasses, fungi, lichen, driftwood and fresh flowers depicting the coral reef known as the most diverse place on the planet.

They also carried off the Carol Bone Perpetual Trophy for best use of texture in an arrangement.