The North East Area Speakers Representative is Rita Braithwaite, and her Deputy is Kay Ford (New Earswick Flower Club)
Rita took NAFAS Speakers training in 2004 in order to improve her performance as a club officer, and she found it did, enormously. She was an Area Demonstrator (now retired), Area and National Judge and teacher of floral art in adult education and found the training has given her much more confidence in all aspects of her life. She passed the Area Speakers Test in 2004 and progressed to passing the National Speakers Test in 2012. In 2020 she joined the National Speakers Committee.
Everyone can benefit from NAFAS Speaker training, it increases confidence in everyday activities but especially as club members, perhaps giving a vote of thanks. Club Committee members or Officers will find they too can conduct themselves with great aplomb. Demonstrators, Judges and Teachers can benefit greatly from taking the training too.
If you would also like to benefit from Speakers training please in the first instance contact the Area Secretary who will put you in touch. See the Contact page of this website to find out how.
Everyone can benefit from NAFAS Speaker training, it increases confidence in everyday activities but especially as club members, perhaps giving a vote of thanks. Club Committee members or Officers will find they too can conduct themselves with great aplomb. Demonstrators, Judges and Teachers can benefit greatly from taking the training too.
If you would also like to benefit from Speakers training please in the first instance contact the Area Secretary who will put you in touch. See the Contact page of this website to find out how.
Rita Braithwaite
|
Kay Ford
|
North East Area Speakers Test 28 March 2026
A super result at the Area Speakers Test, 28th March, all four candidates passed. Here we have three candidates , Fiona Skerrow, Jean Hawkins and Rachel Kirkwood thanking Kay Ford and Rita Braithwaite for their help in preparing for the test. Debbie Higgins the other successful candidate had to leave early. Much help had been given by all of the Area Exec and others both in preparation and on the day; all very much appreciated.
Speakers' Pre Test Day 14 March 2026
Four candidates were put through their paces at the Folk Hall prior to the actual test on 28 March (see poster above) ably assessed by Alan Beatty and (assisting) James Burneside, both from Northern Ireland.
At the Speakers' pre test day (L - R) James Burneside, Rita Braithwaite and Alan Beatty
|
Pictured here are the current National President James Burneside, former National President Janet Hayton and the Adjudicator at the pre test day Alan Beatty.
|
NAFAS National Show Gloucester 19/20 September 2025
|
Two members of the North East Area were part of the Speakers team that entertained guests and visitors with "taster talks" at Gloucester Cathedral: Peter Mathers and Tony Cleaver. The team were asked to deliver short, 15 minute talks on the overall title "Nature's Challenge" (the title of the show): Peter's was on the subject of two gardens that certainly qualified for the word "challenge" - a botanic garden in the north if Iceland and the linear garden that was recently created out of an abandoned railway in the centre of Manchester. Tony spoke on the fascinating story of Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb growing, and the way that the Wardian Case changed the face of horticulture, botany and the food industry in the 19th century. Pictured here is Tony in the middle of his Rhubarb talk.
|
Public Liability Insurance
It has been brought to our attention that some Clubs elsewhere are refusing to book Demonstrators, Speakers, Judges & Teachers who do not have personal Public Liability Insurance. It is NOT the North East Area’s intention to advise our Clubs to do this but we do recommend that all people giving presentations should have their own Public Liability Insurance. If an accident happens which is caused by the presenter (someone trips on an unsecured cable to a laptop) the Hall and Club insurers’ may refuse to cover this and then the presenter would potentially be personally liable for all costs if a claim is made.
Speakers' Refresher Day October 2024
All four North East Area speakers attended the October Refresher Day that was held at the home of Pat and Tony Hutchinson in the beautiful countryside between Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge. Part of the exercises that the participants had to do under the watchful eye of the Instructor of the day, Rita Braithwaite, was to have a wander around Pat and Tony's superb garden and talk about a particular thing that had caught their eye. Pictured below (by Rita) are Pat, Sarah Hopps and your webmaster Peter looking for inspiration.
|
|
There was a National Speakers' Test in York in August 2023.
The National Speakers test held in Stockton on the Forest in early August were a resounding success. We have five new National Speakers with subjects ranging from “Poetry, Prose & Peonies” from our own Peter Mathers; a superb pictorial presentation of gardens near and far with a fascinating story to tell, to “Pleased to Meet Ewe” with very surprising facts and tales about sheep.
Seats were filled with an appreciative audience with members having travelled the length and breadth of the UK.
There was a fantastic raffle with goodies collected from local businesses by Tony Cleaver who did a brilliant job of overseeing the organisation of the day.
Thanks to everyone who helped in any capacity.
Also beavering away on the day were four trainee Adjudicator & Instructors all of whom are now fully qualified.
If you came and feel you too might like to know more about giving a presentation on PowerPoint or a vocal presentation with visual aids please do get in touch, we have a team willing and able to help.
Thanks - Rita
Seats were filled with an appreciative audience with members having travelled the length and breadth of the UK.
There was a fantastic raffle with goodies collected from local businesses by Tony Cleaver who did a brilliant job of overseeing the organisation of the day.
Thanks to everyone who helped in any capacity.
Also beavering away on the day were four trainee Adjudicator & Instructors all of whom are now fully qualified.
If you came and feel you too might like to know more about giving a presentation on PowerPoint or a vocal presentation with visual aids please do get in touch, we have a team willing and able to help.
Thanks - Rita
Becoming a Speaker
Please download this document which explains this process in detail.
| becoming_an_area_speaker__1_.docx |
NORTH EAST AREA SPEAKERS
RITA BRAITHWAITE
Rita has found her life much enriched since becoming an Area Speaker in 2004 and enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to go forward for the National Speakers Test, passing in 2012. She is a National Judge and finds the training helps enormously during assessing club competitions. Rita is Vice-Chairman of York Flower Club (assuming the role of Chairman in January 2023) and a member of Teesdale Club in Northumberland and Durham Area. She is a keen competitor and has gained firsts in National Competitions and was a member of a NAFAS Chelsea Gold Medal winning team. She has various subjects including William Morris, Man of Many Talents; Once a Showgirl (fun on either side of the show bench); Teesdale Garden Trail, (a PowerPoint presentation); Get Me to the Church on Time (fun, trials and diplomacy in doing wedding flowers) and Drawn to Nature (drawing flowers for health and fun). Talks can be adapted to reflect most occasions. Rita can be contacted on [email protected]
Rita has found her life much enriched since becoming an Area Speaker in 2004 and enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to go forward for the National Speakers Test, passing in 2012. She is a National Judge and finds the training helps enormously during assessing club competitions. Rita is Vice-Chairman of York Flower Club (assuming the role of Chairman in January 2023) and a member of Teesdale Club in Northumberland and Durham Area. She is a keen competitor and has gained firsts in National Competitions and was a member of a NAFAS Chelsea Gold Medal winning team. She has various subjects including William Morris, Man of Many Talents; Once a Showgirl (fun on either side of the show bench); Teesdale Garden Trail, (a PowerPoint presentation); Get Me to the Church on Time (fun, trials and diplomacy in doing wedding flowers) and Drawn to Nature (drawing flowers for health and fun). Talks can be adapted to reflect most occasions. Rita can be contacted on [email protected]
KAY FORD
Kay has been an area speaker since April 2025. With a passion for the arts, travel, gardening, vegetable growing and of course flowers her interests are reflected in her presentations:
Flowers - Art and Symbolism
A Floral Journey across continents
A trip to the Allotment
Other titles are always being developed & can be adapted to suit the clubs needs.
All the talks include a PowerPoint presentation. Kay is willing to be contacted at short notice and will consider any distance to travel.
Kay is also an area demonstrator, and is based in York and can be contacted on 07411476581 or [email protected]
Kay has been an area speaker since April 2025. With a passion for the arts, travel, gardening, vegetable growing and of course flowers her interests are reflected in her presentations:
Flowers - Art and Symbolism
A Floral Journey across continents
A trip to the Allotment
Other titles are always being developed & can be adapted to suit the clubs needs.
All the talks include a PowerPoint presentation. Kay is willing to be contacted at short notice and will consider any distance to travel.
Kay is also an area demonstrator, and is based in York and can be contacted on 07411476581 or [email protected]
JEAN HAWKINS
Jean passed her Area Speakers Test in March 2026. Her title is “Alchemy in Clay” – the story of the potter William Moorcroft. More details will be completed later.
Jean passed her Area Speakers Test in March 2026. Her title is “Alchemy in Clay” – the story of the potter William Moorcroft. More details will be completed later.
SARAH HOPPS
Sarah's passion for plants and gardening developed when she ran a small hardy plant nursery from her home near Thirsk. This flourished for 17 years, but since 2004, Sarah has given an increasing number of talks and appeared on the stage at many flower shows. She also has the pleasure of escorting garden tours in Britain and Europe. Having entertained gardening and flower clubs for the past 30 years, she has delivered a wide range of subject matter and is happy to adapt any talk to suit your needs.
Popular titles include : -
The All Seasons Garden; Evergreens, Stems and Seedheads; Touring the Gardens of Britain (or Europe); The Flower Arranger's Garden; Gardening to Delight the Senses. Talks are illustrated with lots of plants (for sale afterwards) and a selection of quality slides. Sarah is prepared to travel most distances and her available dates are between September and April. She would love to re-visit your Flower Club or be invited to somewhere new! Please contact on 07803 584228 or email e-mail - [email protected]
Sarah's passion for plants and gardening developed when she ran a small hardy plant nursery from her home near Thirsk. This flourished for 17 years, but since 2004, Sarah has given an increasing number of talks and appeared on the stage at many flower shows. She also has the pleasure of escorting garden tours in Britain and Europe. Having entertained gardening and flower clubs for the past 30 years, she has delivered a wide range of subject matter and is happy to adapt any talk to suit your needs.
Popular titles include : -
The All Seasons Garden; Evergreens, Stems and Seedheads; Touring the Gardens of Britain (or Europe); The Flower Arranger's Garden; Gardening to Delight the Senses. Talks are illustrated with lots of plants (for sale afterwards) and a selection of quality slides. Sarah is prepared to travel most distances and her available dates are between September and April. She would love to re-visit your Flower Club or be invited to somewhere new! Please contact on 07803 584228 or email e-mail - [email protected]
PAT HUTCHINSON
Pat qualified as an Area Speaker in 2015. She uses her own beautiful photographic images to illustrate all her PowerPoint presentations, which highlight her enthusiasm for plants and flowers in both floral designs and growing in their natural environment.
Pat has developed a beautiful 2-acre garden at Yorke House in Nidderdale which opens for the National Garden Scheme charities every summer. The garden provides an abundance of plant material which she uses in her floral artwork. Pat’s initial presentation showcased this Yorkshire gem and she is always delighted to present this talk and others listed below to Flower Clubs in the Area.
Presentations include:
‘Opening the Garden for Charity’ – a brief overview of the National Garden Scheme and its purpose, illustrated with images from her own garden and other NGS gardens in Yorkshire.
‘The Flower Arranger’s Garden’ – a review of the many plants to grow in your garden to provide materials for your floral designs throughout the year.
‘In Search of the World’s Largest Flower’ – this presentation is illustrated with superb images of Pat’s adventurous explorations trekking in the jungles of Borneo in search of tropical flora and fauna.
‘Scenic Voyage to the South Pacific’ – a remarkable journey to the Southern hemisphere to discover some iconic locations, people, plants, and animals.
For further details please contact Pat by phone: 01423 780456 or email: [email protected]
Pat qualified as an Area Speaker in 2015. She uses her own beautiful photographic images to illustrate all her PowerPoint presentations, which highlight her enthusiasm for plants and flowers in both floral designs and growing in their natural environment.
Pat has developed a beautiful 2-acre garden at Yorke House in Nidderdale which opens for the National Garden Scheme charities every summer. The garden provides an abundance of plant material which she uses in her floral artwork. Pat’s initial presentation showcased this Yorkshire gem and she is always delighted to present this talk and others listed below to Flower Clubs in the Area.
Presentations include:
‘Opening the Garden for Charity’ – a brief overview of the National Garden Scheme and its purpose, illustrated with images from her own garden and other NGS gardens in Yorkshire.
‘The Flower Arranger’s Garden’ – a review of the many plants to grow in your garden to provide materials for your floral designs throughout the year.
‘In Search of the World’s Largest Flower’ – this presentation is illustrated with superb images of Pat’s adventurous explorations trekking in the jungles of Borneo in search of tropical flora and fauna.
‘Scenic Voyage to the South Pacific’ – a remarkable journey to the Southern hemisphere to discover some iconic locations, people, plants, and animals.
For further details please contact Pat by phone: 01423 780456 or email: [email protected]
RACHEL KIRKWOOD
Rachel qualified as an Area Speaker in March 2026. Further details will appear here as soon as possible. Rachel lives in Driffield, East Yorkshire.
Rachel qualified as an Area Speaker in March 2026. Further details will appear here as soon as possible. Rachel lives in Driffield, East Yorkshire.
PETER MATHERS
Peter qualified as an Area Speaker in May 2015 and passed the National qualification at the test held at Stockton on the Forest in August 2023. His titles include ‘Municipal Marvels’, (the history and development of the public park), “Paradise Revisited” (a brief and highly selective trip around palaces and gardens with Royal connections in Europe), “London Squares and Gardens” visiting squares and gardens in London, both private and public, and “Poetry, Prose and Peonies”, a ramble around gardens all connected with authors. All these talks are based on PowerPoint presentations. Peter is based in York and can be contacted on 07940 517442 or via his website petermathers.weebly.com/
Peter qualified as an Area Speaker in May 2015 and passed the National qualification at the test held at Stockton on the Forest in August 2023. His titles include ‘Municipal Marvels’, (the history and development of the public park), “Paradise Revisited” (a brief and highly selective trip around palaces and gardens with Royal connections in Europe), “London Squares and Gardens” visiting squares and gardens in London, both private and public, and “Poetry, Prose and Peonies”, a ramble around gardens all connected with authors. All these talks are based on PowerPoint presentations. Peter is based in York and can be contacted on 07940 517442 or via his website petermathers.weebly.com/
FIONA SKERROW
Fiona has recently qualified to be an Area speaker. Her talk includes photos and props about her journey into church flower arranging. With a background in theatre since childhood she enjoys performing and sharing a story or two.
It's a light hearted look at her present volunteer placement at Hull Minster with a bit of history about the church and the City of Hull thrown in. Fiona can by contacted at [email protected]
Fiona has recently qualified to be an Area speaker. Her talk includes photos and props about her journey into church flower arranging. With a background in theatre since childhood she enjoys performing and sharing a story or two.
It's a light hearted look at her present volunteer placement at Hull Minster with a bit of history about the church and the City of Hull thrown in. Fiona can by contacted at [email protected]