|
The North East Area is in one of 20 Areas in the UK who form the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS). Our aims and objectives are to promote public knowledge of and training in the art of flower arranging and related subjects within the North East Area. A key priority for the Area is a greater involvement of members in the decisions affecting NAFAS at National and Area level. To facilitate this, Clubs are invited to participate in actual or virtual meetings.
The NE Area is made up of about 50 Clubs across Yorkshire and Teesside, who meet once a month for flower arranging demonstrations, talks and workshops. They organise competitions, visit places of floral interest, fund raise and hold social events. All of great importance to mental health and wellbeing particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Area Council is the governing body of the North East Area and meets four times a year. Two members represent each club and the day-to-day management of the Area is delegated to the Executive Committee who meet on a monthly basis and consists of Chairman, 1st Vice Chairman, 2nd Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Projects Officer, each of whom may be re-elected every two years. The Area President also serves a two year term and acts as an ambassador but has no voting rights. The Area organises training, testing and regular refresher days for its demonstrators, judges, speakers and teachers and publishes a bi-annual list of these disciplines, (details available from the Area Secretary) as well as a regular newsletter which includes Area and club information and activities. Education is of paramount importance due to the charitable status of NAFAS and the North East Area’s Education Association holds two workshops a year for members. In addition the Area organises weekend symposiums, an annual lunch and various other events which facilitate education in the art of flower arranging and related subjects for the benefit and enjoyment of all. Members of the Area make a major contribution to the Northern Horticultural Society shows in the flower arranging competitions as well as showcasing large exhibition pieces. For several years the area has been invited to hold public floral art workshops for the general public along with a large Yorkshire themed exhibit at the Great Yorkshire Show. The Area Chairman represents the North East Area on the National Advisory Council and representatives for the disciplines of Judging, Demonstrating, Speaking, Education, Photography, Media and The Flower Arranger attend National meetings on behalf of the Area. If you enjoy flowers and would like to learn more about floral design there is a club near you waiting to welcome you to share their friendship and love of flowers, plants and nature. |
People in the North East Area of NAFAS
Rita Braithwaite, Chairman
Jean Hawkins, Second Vice Chairman
Sue Guilliatt, Area Treasurer
Peter Mathers, Area Webmaster
Tony Cleaver, Area Historian
Lynn Naylor, Area Media Officer
|
Sheila Drybrough, Area President
Mary Holmes, Vice Chairman
Ann Simpson, Area Secretary
Hazel Bell, Area Flower Arranging Officer
Joan O'Brien, Area Projects Officer
|
North East Area Discipline Representatives and their Deputies
DEMONSTRATORS
Catherine Gledhill, Demonstrators
|
Jo Purdy, Demonstrators (Deputy)
|
JUDGES
Joyce Hearnshaw, Judges
|
Sheila Drybrough, Judges Deputy
|
SPEAKERS
Rita Braithwaite, Speakers' Representative
|
Kay Ford, Deputy Speakers' Representative
|
EDUCATION
Dawn Meakin, Education Representative
|
Christine Hinchcliffe, Deputy Education Representative
|
PHOTOGRAPHY
Amanda Hartley, Photography Representative
|
Jan Tetley, Deputy Photography Representative
|
Vacancies
Vacancies exist for the following positions:
DEPUTY WEBMASTER
MEDIA OFFICER AND DEPUTY MEDIA OFFICER
If you would like more information about any of the above, please in the first instance contact the Area Secretary Ann Simpson whose information can be found in the "Contact" page of this website or email [email protected].
DEPUTY WEBMASTER
MEDIA OFFICER AND DEPUTY MEDIA OFFICER
If you would like more information about any of the above, please in the first instance contact the Area Secretary Ann Simpson whose information can be found in the "Contact" page of this website or email [email protected].
The Chairman's Letter - New Year 2026
As we look to 2026, I hope everyone has enjoyed a peaceful Christmas.
The passing of the shortest day sees us looking forward to more daylight and the stirring of Spring around us, already primroses are shining and bulbs spiking through the soil.
The schedule for Harrogate Spring Show is now available and there are some very inspiring titles. Do put the date in your diaries, staging 22nd April and show open 23rd to 26th, if you have never competed it is a wonderful experience. I am always in awe at how lots of boxes and buckets, flowers and foliage are transformed in a day into a floral extravaganza to delight us all.
If you visit be sure to call in at our Area Trading Stand where you can buy the sundries that are getting ever harder to find, check out what is happening in our clubs on our Media Table and look through to find the elusive back issues of The Flower Arranger.
On 14th March we have a pre-test for new Area Speakers, followed by the test on 28th March, in The Folk Hall, New Earswick, please do come along and support the day.
Further details of all our area activities will be on our Webpage, do keep checking in for updates on what is happening in the area.
Many Clubs will be holding their AGMs, do go along and be the first to put your hand up when volunteers are sought for the many roles which keep our clubs going; there is something each of us can do and many hands do make light work. Congratulations to those Clubs reaching special milestones this year; think how you can help to keep your club among them in the years to come.
We had a brief visit of “proper” Winter in November and as I write there is the threat of January bringing more. Do keep warm, perhaps looking at seed catalogues or holiday brochures.
Our coach is filling for our Area trip, May 15th – 18th, we will be guided by Sarah Hopps, through Beth Chatto’s Garden, Elton Hall, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Colchester Castle and Cambridge Botanic Gardens, a great deal to look forward to, look for the poster on the Webpage and reserve your place soon.
Whatever your hopes for the new year are,
I wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Peaceful 2026
Sincerely
Rita
The passing of the shortest day sees us looking forward to more daylight and the stirring of Spring around us, already primroses are shining and bulbs spiking through the soil.
The schedule for Harrogate Spring Show is now available and there are some very inspiring titles. Do put the date in your diaries, staging 22nd April and show open 23rd to 26th, if you have never competed it is a wonderful experience. I am always in awe at how lots of boxes and buckets, flowers and foliage are transformed in a day into a floral extravaganza to delight us all.
If you visit be sure to call in at our Area Trading Stand where you can buy the sundries that are getting ever harder to find, check out what is happening in our clubs on our Media Table and look through to find the elusive back issues of The Flower Arranger.
On 14th March we have a pre-test for new Area Speakers, followed by the test on 28th March, in The Folk Hall, New Earswick, please do come along and support the day.
Further details of all our area activities will be on our Webpage, do keep checking in for updates on what is happening in the area.
Many Clubs will be holding their AGMs, do go along and be the first to put your hand up when volunteers are sought for the many roles which keep our clubs going; there is something each of us can do and many hands do make light work. Congratulations to those Clubs reaching special milestones this year; think how you can help to keep your club among them in the years to come.
We had a brief visit of “proper” Winter in November and as I write there is the threat of January bringing more. Do keep warm, perhaps looking at seed catalogues or holiday brochures.
Our coach is filling for our Area trip, May 15th – 18th, we will be guided by Sarah Hopps, through Beth Chatto’s Garden, Elton Hall, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Colchester Castle and Cambridge Botanic Gardens, a great deal to look forward to, look for the poster on the Webpage and reserve your place soon.
Whatever your hopes for the new year are,
I wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Peaceful 2026
Sincerely
Rita