Family: Sheila’s seasonal flower arranging

Nov 18 2009 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Family: Sheila’s seasonal flower arranging

FLORAL ART has shaken off its Hyacinth Bucket image. So says Sheila Rodgers of Honley, president of the Pennine Borders Flower Club, which was founded just three years ago but now has nearly 70 members.

“Flower arranging today is for everybody,” she explains, “from all age groups. There are even flower clubs with junior sections for children.

“The arrangements have changed too. We don’t make triangular arrangements any more, there’s none of that, and today you can use all sorts of materials, it’s very creative.”

Sheila knows what she’s talking about because she’s seen the evolution of floral art from genteel hobby to modern interior design statement first hand. She joined her first flower club in 1977 and has taught floral art for 28 years.

In fact, Sheila’s contribution to the art form is so widely appreciated that she was recently made a National Associate of Honour of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS).

As only three people from each of the 20 areas in the association can be an associate of honour at any one time, Sheila is thrilled to have the title.

A former secondary school teacher, she also taught the City and Guilds Flower Arrangement course for 15 years and the NAFAS diploma. Today Sheila is a judge at regional events and first vice chair of the association’s NE Area, which includes Huddersfield.

Three years ago Sheila founded the Pennine Borders Flower Club with friend Joan O’Brien because they felt there was a need for an organisation in the outskirts of Huddersfield. It meets monthly in Meltham Church Hall and has a growing membership of women (and one man) of all ages.

Meetings alternate between demonstrations by experienced flower arrangers and workshops led by Sheila.

We asked Sheila if she could show us the Christmas arrangement that will form the centrepiece of a workshop on December 9. Joan also brought along an unusual contemporary festive arrangement that she created after attending a masterclass with Spanish floral artist Carles Fontanillas.

If you’d like to have a go, here’s what you will need:

For Sheila’s arrangement – bear grass, decorative wire, small pieces of conifer, baubles, gladioli, carnations, roses, holly and fir cones; bowl and oasis.