The Area Historian is Tony Cleaver.
2022 - date: Sheila Drybrough, Huddersfield
2019 - 2022: Janet Ratcliffe, Halifax 2017 - 2019: Ann Harding, Steeton 2015 - 2017: Joan O'Brien, Pennine Borders 2013 - 2015: Sue Spencer, Capelle 2011 - 2013: Sheila Rodgers, Pennine Borders 2009 - 2011: Sue Maddocks, Halifax 2007 - 2009: Louise Nettleton, Headingley 2005 - 2007: Tony Cleaver, New Earswick 2003 - 2005: Margaret Peet, Halifax 2001 - 2003: Norma Dobney 1999 - 2001: Rosalind Walker (Driffield) 1997 - 1999: Pat Martin, Teesside 1995 - 1997: Eugenie Wiener, The Yorkshire 1993 - 1995: Janet Hayton, Acomb 1991 - 1993: Mary Patterson 1989 - 1991: Shirley Clegg, The Yorkshire 1987 - 1989: Muriel Spencer-Willcock 1985 - 1987: Joyce Barlow, Guisborough 1983 - 1985: Margaret Porter 1981 - 1983: Jo Thirlwall 1979 - 1981: Geraldine Hazell 1977 - 1979: Beryl Gray, Teesside 1975 - 1977: Dorothy Gray 1973 - 1975: Alice Bray 1971 - 1973: Elena Raistrick 1969 - 1971: Jo Bragg-Smith, Doncaster 1967 - 1969: Jennie Philipson 1965 - 1967: Jennie Philipson 1963 - 1965: Peggy Greenough, Bradford 1962 - 1963: Margaret Herdson 1961 - 1962: George Smith 1957 - 1963: Margaret Herdson (Founder Chairman) |
History of the North East Area
In June 1957 a meeting was convened by The Yorkshire Flower Decoration Club at the Royal Station Hotel in York to discuss the formation of a North Eastern Area Association of Flower Clubs in order to gain recognition from The Royal Horticultural Society and to have a link with other like minded Associations throughout the United Kingdom. The Floral Arrangement Association of North East England (FAANEE) was born and covered a huge area – the counties of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland – the land between the Trent and the Tweed. In 1958 the Area was represented in the decorative tent at the Chelsea Flower Show when mixed spring flowers were used. Eight members worked with the flowers and HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, when visiting the tent, congratulated the Area Chairman and said how pleased she was to see the North represented! With the formation of NAFAS in 1959 Mrs Margaret Herdson, founder Area Chairman, served on the caretaker committee. The Area was active in bringing prominent flower arranging experts to the North. In 1957 Jocelyn Steward of the East of England headed north, in 1958 Area Competitions were held in Harrogate and Julia Clements was one of the judges, the following year a similar event was held with Constance Spry, Stella Coe and Violet Stephenson joining Julia Clements as judges. In 1965 the clubs in Northumberland and Durham formed their own group within the North East Area and two years later went to form their own Area. From the Archives : 50 Years Ago (1973)The Area staged its third Show and Competitions in the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate's Valley Gardens. Notable Firsts were gained by Teesside FC in the class Floral Dance and York FC in Conversation Piece. Best in Show was won by Derek Bridges. East Riding FC staged an exhibit "Swimming" at Southport Flower Show.
From the Archives : 25 Years Ago (1998)Members Pat Daley and Ann Harding travelled all the way to Malvern Show and represented the Area with their exhibit "Spectrum". There was an Area Demonstrators' Test in New Earswick and amongst the successful candidates was Sue Maddocks. Also (this time at Harrogate) there was an Area Speakers' Test; this time amongst those passing were Sheila Gordon and your very own Area Historian!
From the Archives : 10 Years Ago (2013)A very successful National Show was held this year at Bournemouth. Only 10 entrants came from the North East Area but of those, 7 won prizes including that designed by Carys Harrison and Margaret Titman in the class Fête Champêtre. This design was subsequently featured in an article in The Flower Arranger.
A Gold Award was won by Sally Brass and Kathleen Dodds at Southport by their contemporary exhibit Pride of Britain which involved wiring 200 test tubes! Jenny Freeman and Annette Ackroyd travelled to Westminster Abbey to create a design commemorating the life of Florence Nightingale. |
AREA TRIP TO AMSTERDAM, JUNE 2010
There are fond memories of the Area visit to Amsterdam for the Open Gardens Weekend in June 2010 where Tony Cleaver and Peter Mathers led an intrepid band of North East Area members. How many can you recognise?
There are fond memories of the Area visit to Amsterdam for the Open Gardens Weekend in June 2010 where Tony Cleaver and Peter Mathers led an intrepid band of North East Area members. How many can you recognise?