Oct_2016

Faith & Flowers
The Magazine of the Church of England
Flower Arrangers’ Association
Issue 12 – October 2016

CHURCH OF ENGLAND FLOWER ARRANGERS ASSOCIATION
Registered Charity No. 514372
Members of Council and National Officers
National President
Rev F. R. N. Michell
National Chairman
Mrs Ada Fawthrop
211 Ashgate Road
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S40 4AP
Tel: 01246 233555
Diocesan Mrs R Thomson York
Council Mrs A Lovatt London
Members Mrs R Dias Derby
Mrs P Batterton Liverpool
Mrs H Brian Southwell & Nottingham
National Secretary
Mr R Brown
25B Church Road
Hale Village
Liverpool
L24 4AY
Tel: 0151 425 2823
Email: cefaa@btinternet.com Website: www.cefaa.org.uk
Treasurer
Mrs N Hadden
Church Lodge Cottage
10A Church Road
Hale Village
Liverpool
L24 4BA

Letter from the Editor
I am writing for this pre-Christmas edition on the hottest
September day in fifty years. My poor garden is gasping for a
proper wet day rather than the odd two minute shower which is
all we have had over several months. That’s Scarborough’s
micro-climate for you.
We have a real time span this edition, past, present and hopes for
the future. Joan Owen sent an account of the beginnings of
C.E.F.A.A. which I hope will interest new members. Her
accompanying letter brought better news of Doreen Slade, whose
transfer to a different nursing home has led to her being up and
dressed and communicating with visitors instead of being
permanently in bed.
Rather less news of activities over the summer when members
must be getting their breath back from the flurry of activity prior
to the July edition. Averill and I did, however, find a new interest.
For the future we have an article from Bolton where members
are hoping to set up a branch in their area of Lancashire. We wish
them the very best of luck in this venture.
We often wonder how some new members hear of C.E.F.A.A. In
July the York Diocese group asked their newest member how she
learnt about us. I’ll tell you later.
My very best wishes for Christmas
Ruth
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Greetings from Chesterfield – September 2016
Harvest Festivals are fast approaching. I have enclosed a frontage from
our church mag. Which I think is lovely. It reads give us each day our
daily bread, and names all the cereals in the design. Flower Festivals
are in full-flow here in Derbyshire. I stood in for a lady at a chapel in
Holymoorside last week. The titles were from literature. I did ‘The
Scarlet Pimpernel’. I made a guillotine, a wig from dried hydrangeas
with a bow, and an 18th century Triangle arrangement of red gladiolus,
gerberas, roses, grasses and Sedum. The base was covered in the
Tricolore. My friend did ’20,000 leagues under the sea’. An old beach
wrap was used for the backdrop with sea holly, stachyurus, scabious,
shot chiffon and shells. The main display was at the front of the chapel
depicted ‘Jane Eyre’ in her wedding dress, the 1st Mrs. Rochester
coming down the stairs with dried Garrya for her hair and the blazing
manor house at the front. It is always amazing what the imagination
can come up with.
I went down to Hulland Ward to see what our members had done there
this year. It is a pleasure to see what the little church comes up with.
Their theme was ‘Songs from the Shows’. Rosie Dyas said that they
would send the information about how they got roses multicoloured
for ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’. I love to see what the children do.
The ladies from the church always have a wonderful choice of cakes.
(Elastic waistbands for ever!!).
This week we have been busy with 12 Members of the Darmstadt U3A.
Darmstadt is Chesterfield’s Twin Town. We took them by coach to
Whitby. It was misty all the way until we approached the coast. The
mist lifted and we had a wonderful sunny day. We had fish & chips at
‘Trenchers’ a POSH café on the harbour. Then we climbed the 199
steps up the cliff to the very old church and ruined Abbey. At 4p.m. we
boarded the old steam train to Goathland. All of the German folk had
read ‘Harry Potter’ so were thrilled to see where one of the films was
made. We then set off over the purple moors to the A1 and home.
Another day we visited Southwell Minster. There was a very
expensive-looking wedding service ending just after we arrived. The
Minster organ and the full choir were pulling out all the stops at the
end. The stones trembled under our feet. Then I had the chance to see
the flowers. The pedestal at the Altar was huge with white delphiniums,
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white peonies, pale pink roses, pale blue scabious and Gip. Our visitors
were very impressed. One day we went on a veteran double decker bus
to Chatsworth Country Fair. The Red Arrows gave a fantastic display.
Next week Sheila Keith and I are off on a four-day “Grape Escape” to
the champagne region around Rheims. Then we are off for a week to
Naples. This is followed by the council meeting at my house on
October 8th. Looking forward to meeting up with our executive and
council members. The Derby Workshop in Hulland Ward is on October
22nd. Then we are up to Aberdeen for our daughter’s 50th (where has
the time gone?) Then it’s Christmas in Ireland with our son and his
lovely family.
Happy Christmas to you all and a peaceful new year.
Ada Fawthrop, National Chairman.
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CEFAA NEW MEMBERS
We are very pleased to welcome the 11 new members who have
joined since the publication of the July 2016 edition of “Faith &
Flowers”.
Branch
Mr. Ian Smith, All Hallows, Allerton
Liverpool
Miss Rachel Chandler, Christ Church, Southgate
London
Mrs. Kathryn Chandler-Board, Christ Church, Southgate
London
Mrs. Sue Ford, St. John the Baptist, Barnet,
Mrs. Barbara Williamson, Associate Member
Mrs. Susan James, St. Peter, Pontardawe
Mrs. Rhian Jones, St. Peter, Pontardawe
Mr. Laurence Little, St. John the Baptist, Barnet
Mrs. Kate Cooper, St. Nicholas, Halewood
Mrs. Linda West, St. Nicholas, Halewood
Mrs. Christabel Hardman, St. Nicholas, Halewood
London
London
Not assigned
Not assigned
London
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Proposed date and venue for A.G.M. 2017
Bramcote, Church of St. Michael and All Angels,
Nottinghamshire – June 18th 2017
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Church of England Flower Arrangers Association
The early days
It is now 35 years since we started C.E.F.A.A. here in St. Ann’s. I have
been asked if I would write an article as to how we started the Association.
In 1979 we had the 150th Rocket Trials in Rainhill and in 1980 St. Ann’s
celebrated its 150th anniversary. We held a Flower Festival to celebrate
both. After the festival Doreen & George Slade, Flo Booth and I, Joan
Owen, met to discuss joining a national Church organisation of flower
arrangers. We had had such a close fellowship working for the festival
we wanted it to carry on. After letters to Liverpool, then to London
Diocese, both proved to be negative. The message came back from
London, no there isn’t anything like that, why don’t you start one. So the
fund raising started, coffee mornings, afternoon teas, crafts, flower
arranging classes, cake stalls, etc. If we thought it would make money we
tried it. My husband, Alan, designed the badge. It is shaped like a leaf in
green with a gold pattern. It consists of a challis with flowers in the cup
and hands each side holding the cup. We had green aprons, sweatshirts &
t-shirts made all with the gold badge on.
In July 1981 we had our 1st member. The Church Times put an article in
their paper and after that we started to get members from all over the
country.
Over 30 years ago we were asked to arrange flowers in Liverpool
Cathedral. We have always felt it a privilege to arrange flowers in there.
Our members in Yorkshire arrange in York Minster. The London members
arrange in St. Paul’s. They have had the privilege of arranging flowers
for the Queen’s special celebrations over the years.
For many years we have organised Flower Festivals around member
churches in the Diocese. This year we held one in St. Luke’s, Farnworth,
“Sing to the Lord”, 8th – 11th September.
The third Sunday in June is always “Chain of Flowers”, when all member
churches have an arrangement of flowers to celebrate membership of the
association. The last few years Liverpool members have been invited to
join the Cathedral congregation for evensong.
Joan Owen
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Idea for Epiphany
This is a simple and effective arrangement for a windowsill at
Epiphany. You can recycle some of the flowers that are still good
from the Christmas arrangements or buy fresh. The picture shows
the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Select the
appropriate colours to support the lengths of material. I used
garden canes, Arrange the chosen flowers and if available use
herbs at the base of the oblong tray.
To be more adventurous using the above as a base, cape the tops
of the material with a contrasting coloured material and attach
crowns to the top of the cane to depict the three kings.
Alethea Fielding
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Faith and Flowers September 2016 - Derby Branch
Christ Church Hulland had a Flower Festival on Bank Holiday
Weekend entitled “Music Music Music” with church members
portraying their favourite music – The Seventies, Elvis Presley,
Matt Redman and Frozen to name a few.
The exhibit “The Sixties” caused quite a stir – rainbow roses
taking centre stage. How were they grown and how did you get
so many colours on one bud? CEFAA member Barbara Russell
was continually being asked
questions.
The solution of course was
found on the internet –
maybe we should start with
a white rose, cut the stems
lengthwise, dip in some of
the magic solution and see
the transformation.
Thanks to Naomi and her
husband for taking a
Saturday day trip to Hulland
Ward – it was a lovely
surprise, plus of course
visits from our National
Chairman Ada Fawthrop
and Derby Branch Chairman Margaret Taylor – three VIPs in
three days!!!
Derby Branch is holding a workshop on 22nd October 2016 again
in Hulland Ward when Liz Bishop will be demonstrator with the
members being able to attempt table arrangements suitable for
autumn or winter.
Rosie Dias, Derby Branch
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Hello from Bolton
After our most enjoyable visit to Liverpool in June to attend our first
AGM, and been able to meet other members for the first time and hear
about their churches and experiences, Alison and I thought that we
would send you a snapshot of our church in Bolton and some of our
flower arranging exploits.
Our church is the parish church of St. Peter, Bolton-le-Moors, (known
locally as Bolton Parish Church). It is a beautiful building in Victoria
Gothic style, built in Longridge stone and was opened in 1871. The
church is 156ft from east to west, 67ft wide, and 82ft high. The tower,
said to be the highest in Lancashire, is over 180ft high, and affords
extensive views of the surrounding moorland.
We are part of a small team (4 or 5) who meet most Fridays to arrange
flowers. At Christmas, Easter and Harvest members of the Sunday
School provide their own much admired displays, and members of the
congregation join us in decorating the church. We are also lucky to
have the help of a number of “flower friends” when an extra special
event occurs.
On a weekly basis, flowers are arranged on the altar, in the Lady
Chapel, and regularly there is a pedestal arrangement in the nave.
During the centenary commemoration of World War 1, we are placing
an arrangement by the war memorial. At Christmas, Easter, Harvest,
and on civic occasions, we take every opportunity to make as much
use as possible of the generous space available! We are fortunate to
receive regular donations, appreciative comments, and garden foliage
when requested from members of the congregation.
As the town centre church, in the last two years, we have hosted the
annual mayoral civic service, a service to commemorate the centenary
of the outbreak of World War 1, and the retirement service for the
Bishop of Bolton (900 in the congregation, so a work of art finding
spaces for flowers!)
In 2014 the flower team was asked by the then lady mayoress if we
would help to organise a charity flower day at the Town Hall in support
of the mayor’s charities. This was a most enjoyable and successful day,
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and so we decided to continue the idea in our own church hall. During
the last two years we have held three flower days – demonstration,
hands on workshop for all ages and abilities, and lots of delicious food.
These have been great fun, have raised funds for three local charities
and enabled us to meet people from other churches in the area and their
friends, and get to know them.
Alison and I first discovered CEFAA in the summer of 2009 when we
were involved in the flower festival at Manchester Cathedral.
Travelling to Liverpool for the activities and events that we read about
is unfortunately not practicable for us, but we would very much like to
be active in a group. Following on from the AGM and the positive
support that we received, and now that the holiday season is over, our
plan is to make contacts in the Manchester/Bolton area to see if we can
set up a local group in this part of Lancashire.
Kath Chapman
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The York Diocese
It is rare that activities in the York Diocese feature in Faith & Flowers.
This is possibly because as many of you know we have a unique
(perhaps eccentric) system. We meet twice a year to arrange flowers in
York Minster and afterwards have lunch together in the Earl Grey Tea
Rooms on the Shambles. It was during lunch in July that we learnt how
our newest member came to join C.E.F.A.A. A member from the
Sheffield area met Gillian during the “Penny Hedge” event when a
specially constructed hedge on the beach has to survive three high tides,
an event in which Gillian’s husband is in charge. It was during a chat
that the member, whose name sadly I do not know, told Gillian about
us and the rest is history.
Averill joined us from London for the occasion and during the rest of
her visit, she was introduced to the Moors and the Wolds, visiting
several country churches known for their unusual interiors. It was then
that we discovered a new interest, looking at headstones in churchyards.
Well, I said we were eccentric, didn’t I?
I had always been aware of the black marble headstones at Gorton on
the Wold with the scenes of ploughing, cats and dogs pictured on them.
It was only when a local woman told us that they were “J. Rotherham’s”
that we realised they were something special. To our surprise the next
day we found another group at St. Gregory’s Minster, one with a sewing
machine on it, another with two dominoes, one with budgies and another
with a fish. Apparently the mason likes to illustrate the interests or
character of the deceased when producing a headstone. He does work
in other types of stone in addition to the black marble. I wonder what
he would put on mine – a pair of secateurs and a watering can?
There had been a wedding at St. Gregory’s. There was a very attractive
swag over the outer porch door, held perhaps on a nail or screw. I
wondered if it was there with the blessing of the Archdeacon.
Overall we came to the conclusion that it is difficult to make a good job
of arranging in a vase where no pedestal is available. A workshop on
vase arranging might be a challenging exercise for a branch some day.
10
Ruth

Liverpool Branch Celebrates
CEFAA’s 35th Anniversary
The Liverpool branch celebrated CEFAA’s 35th anniversary with a
flower festival at St. Luke’s church Farnworth Widnes. A grade 2 listed
building dating back to the 12th century when it was a chapel of ease
dedicated to St. Luke and became part of the Diocese of Liverpool in
1880.
‘Sing to the Lord’ was the chosen title for the event. Many of the branch
members from churches of the diocese gathered one cold March
morning to choose their positions and hymns to be depicted. For this
event the participating members chose their own hymns to be depicted
because we are self-funding. This helps the host church to stage the
event. We were met with great warmth from the members of the church
with very welcome tea, coffee and biscuits.
The setting up day arrived, the church was alive with activity, cars
being unloaded with accessories, drapes, musical instruments, various
animals and a beehive. We all arrived with flowers and foliage, perfume
filled the air and the serious work began. A service of thanksgiving
prepared the arrangers in their task ahead. Fellowship and friendliness
abounded. The ladies of the church set up the beverage station at the
back of the church which was open all day!
A welcome at the ancient entrance porch decorated in green, white and
gold by the PCC ‘There is a green hill far away’ led us into the main
body of the church. Following the south aisle two depictions ‘All
Things Bright and Beautiful’ and ‘Let all the World in every corner
sing’ at the side of the organ. ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ was
depicted around a beehive using plants and flowers favoured by bees.
Beside the lectern our banner decorated in CEFAA colours of green,
white and gold. Flowers included calla lilies, alstroemeria, and
anthusiums. Round into the chancel and at the altar ‘Praise the Lord
the almighty The King of Creation’. The stained glass window above
made by Burlison and Grylls 1891 shone impressively and below all
in white lilies, carnations and anthuriums adorned the altar made from
the wood taken from the rood screen that was removed at the
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eformation. The theme continued along the choir stalls and the pew
behind the pulpit dating from 1607. The pulpit restored in late 19th
century depicted the hymn ‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’
sympathetically decorated in all white flowers using bridal gladioli,
liseanthus and September song. Through the open doorway the Bold
chapel named after the family of the main benefactor. Complimenting
the serenity of the altar strong coloured flowers to one side of the
chapel described the hymn ‘Angel Voices ever Singing’. At the back
of the church the peal of 6 bells provided the back drop for ‘If I were
a Butterfly’ crafted by the Sunday School of St. Luke’s church. We
were blessed with good weather which helped to make the festival such
a success.
At the Service of Thanksgiving to God for this joyful Flower Festival,
the Reverend Helen Blackburn said “Flowers are like a song in that
they lift the spirit, flowers make our hearts soar and touch our senses
in ways words cannot. Well loved hymns have inspired the displays,
been enjoyed by the eyes and lifted up to wonder at our creator God
and worship him”.
Alethea Fielding
13

“Open Church” at Chelsea Flower Show
Wins Gold
The exhibit was a simple church structure decorated with
over 30,000 stems of flowers in a delicate colour scheme –
varieties of roses, garden flowers e.g. dahlias, astrantia,
hydrangeas, allium, veronica, nerine, orchids, gypsophila,
chrysanthemum blooms, carnations. Greenery used
sparingly included senecio, eucalyptus, tillandsia, and
echeveria.
Kate The Florist said “For me, the fact that people could
walk through the Open Church was really important. It
meant that they were able to get close up to our work – the
open door encouraged people to come in and be involved”.
One of the features which drew the interest of visitors was
the curtains of wire holding test tubes filled with flowers
and foliage. Each individual length of wire was crocheted
using contrasting coloured reel wire.
“Gold” could have been “Best in Show” but for the choice
of not putting in a stone floor at a cost of £10,000.
I was privileged to see Interflora’s own account in the firm’s
magazine Mercury and what struck me from all the
photographs was the subtle use of apricot roses amongst the
pinks and mauves.
Ruth
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London Branch
Please find below a list of the meetings until June 2017.
Please note that this list is provisional and these details are
subject to change, so please always check with Carole, Averill or
Mary closer to the date of the meetings.
Our regular meetings for this year will be on the third Saturday
of the month, starting at 10.30 Visitors are asked to pay £2. per
meeting, unless otherwise stated.
January 21
February 18
March 18
St. James’ Church
Hertford Road
Nr Green Street
Enfield EN3 5AX
St. John the Apostle
High Road
Whetstone N20 0PG
St. Paul’s Church
The Ridgeway
Mill Hill NW7 1QU
April 22 St. John The Baptist AGM - please
Wood Street / High Street note date due
Barnet Herts EN5 4BW to Easter
May 20
June 17
An outing – to be advised
St. Andrews Church
Alexandra Park Road/Windermere Rd
Muswell Hill N10 2DD
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Two weeks in Sri Lanka
Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the colourful
island of Sri Lanka. It is an island of contrasts – the south-west has some
of the most beautiful beaches, the centre is the cultural and historical
region and the south-east is the area of the national parks where visitors
can see wild life in their natural surroundings.
We visited the Udawalawe National Park and, from the safety of our
jeep, watched a herd of elephants at play in the waterhole. Suddenly we
noticed a crocodile slowly gliding through the water, making its way
towards the two elephant calves. Just like human parents, the adult
elephants gathered round the youngsters to protect them. The crocodile
persevered but, finally sensing defeat swam away towards a group of
water buffalo which had stopped to drink at the waterhole.
The area is rich in bird life. I have waited all my life to see a kingfisher
and during my fortnight’s visit, I saw no less than 14 of these glorious
birds! There are many other interesting species to spot, some large such
as the painted stork, black and white with a splash of pink on its side and
a distinctive orange bill along with peacocks and peahens, and others
much smaller, such as the green and yellow sunbirds.
The unusual blue water lily (Nil Manel or Nymphaea Stellata) is the
national flower of Sri Lanka and can be found all over the island. These
colourful flowers are offered at Buddhist temples. The Botanical Gardens
at Peradeniya displays many interesting flowers and trees. The orchid
house alone challenges one’s colour vocabulary as there are so many
stunning orchids of differing sizes, colours and markings. The jack tree
produces large oval fruits, some of which can weigh as much as 32 kilos.
The climate enables fruit such as pineapples, melons, bananas and several
varieties of coconuts to be grown throughout the year. Shopping is a very
different experience; stalls at the side of the road can be seen in villages
or in small wooden shacks in the towns. The island is also known for its
spices; we saw peppercorns, nutmeg, cardamom growing.
Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as it was previously known, is famous for its tea
production. The hillsides of Nuwara Eliya are home to thousands of
camellia bushes from which the leaves are plucked. We left Kandy in
temperatures of 30 degrees and travelled the four hour train journey to
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Nuwara Eliya where the temperature had dropped to a chilly 16 degrees.
It was fascinating to visit a tea factory and watch all the processes
involved in plucking, drying and packaging the tea leaves. The picking
is done by hand by women who work long hours. I tried plucking for
half an hour – it was not easy to have a strap around my head to which
was attached a basket. Then there was the difficulty of aiming my
pickings at the basket without dropping them… I don’t think I plucked
enough leaves to make just one cup for me! Drinking a cup of tea will
have a deeper significance in future.
All too soon the holiday was at an end, but it had been a time full of
wonderful experiences and memories.
March 8th 2016
Kerala is a state on the south western coast of India. It is noted for its
palm-lined beaches, almost 600 kilometres of coastline and an extensive
network of inland canals. Travelling through the countryside in a minibus,
we passed what looked like an open shack with a rusty corrugated iron
roof. Our driver, Selwyn, asked if we would like to stop and take a look.
As I peered out of the window, I could see four women moving back and
forth inside the shack. Yes, we agreed, we would like to go and see what
the women were doing.
We, four retired teachers in our sixties, made our way across the road
towards the shack. The women beckoned us in. There were smiles
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exchanged between us all. Down one side of the shack was a huge pile of
discarded coconut shells. At the side of that was a pile of what I recognised
to be the fibre from inside the shells. Suddenly the penny dropped; the
women were gathering up the fibre into a make-do pouch around their
waists, then twisting and spinning the fibre to make the strands which
would be joined together to make rope or mats. Not a word was spoken
between the eight of us since we did not speak or even understand each
other’s language. The women demonstrated what they were doing. The
coir fibre felt rough in my hands as I touched it, let alone spend many hours
a day pulling and twisting it. My facial expression must have said it all.
One of the women made bracelets for us. Suddenly I felt an overwhelming
feeling of humility; I, who by accident of place of birth, live such a
privileged life, was given this wonderful gift. The women did not ask us
for money but we all wanted to repay their act of kindness. Between us
we only had about £6 which we gave them. “For you,” we said. You
would have thought that we had handed them a thousand pounds! And
with that, we boarded the minibus and continued our journey.
Later that evening I discovered that it had been International Women’s
Day – very appropriate for our visit, I thought. My coir bracelet remains
my most precious souvenir and the memory of meeting those hardworking
ladies was certainly a highlight of my trip to Kerala.
Averill Lovatt
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AVAILABLE FROM CEFAA FOR REGISTERED MEMBERS
TABARD in a dark green poly-cotton with embroidered CEFAA emblem.
All sizes from small to XXXL are available ...........................................£10.00 inc p&p
APRON in a dark green poly-cotton with embroidered emblem ..........£10.00 inc p&p
SWEATSHIRTS
Sizes XS and S ....................................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sizes M and L ......................................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sizes XL, XXL and XXXL .....................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sweatshirt 32 XS S M L XL XXL XXXL
size
Chest
measurement 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
POLO SHIRTS
Sizes 34, 36, 38 & 40 ...........................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sizes 42 & 44 .......................................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sizes 46 & 48 .......................................................................................£10.00 inc p&p
Sweatshirts & polo shirts are dark green with embroidered CEFAA emblem
BADGE...................................................................................................£2.50 inc p&p
Dark green enamel with gold lettering with fitted safety catch.
CAR STICKER .......................................................................................£1.10 inc p&p
CHART FOR CEFAA KNEELER ............................................................£1.70 inc p&p
This is for a hanging kneeler bearing the Association emblem and worked in
cross-stitch.
POSTERS are available for your church notice board at no charge.
MEMBERS HANDBOOK, 2004 edition..................................................£4.00 inc p&p
CEFAA – The First Eighteen Years (Booklet).........................................£3.00 inc p&p
All orders to be sent to:
Mrs P Cargill
201 Windmill Lane
Cheshunt
Hertfordshire
EN8 9AW
Please make your cheques payable to CEFAA
and quote your membership number
and telephone number with your order.
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