Jan_2016

Faith & Flowers
The Magazine of the Church of England
Flower Arrangers’ Association
Issue 9 – January 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
Are you a galanthophile? If so this edition is for you.
Shortly after writing the introduction to the last edition
mentioning the possibility of buying British grown flowers, I read
another article on the subject in a magazine called Countryside,
which was accompanied by some beautiful, colourful
photographs. I hope you will forgive me if we explore the subject
a little more.
Our thanks to Penny Cargill for her list of Lenten Symbols which
is more visually pleasing than the one we used for several years.
Averill, our roving reporter, has been off on her travels again.
Especial thanks for her account of the Garden of Gethsemane as
we look forward towards Easter.
The glory of Spring flowers and the prospect of a joy filled Easter
is slightly overshadowed by our need to boost our numbers and
improve our financial situation. I hope, therefore, that as many
people as possible will try to attend the A.G.M. in June to discuss
the problems.
Pam Stanger, whose work is so vital in the production of the
magazine is to have surgery in January. We all wish her a
successful outcome and a speedy recovery.
Ruth
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Greetings from Chesterfield – December 2015
Happy New Year to you all. I think our New Year Resolution for 2016
should be to encourage people to become new members of our
association. Numbers are failing due to natural causes. My experience
in our church is that the decision not to include lady vicars has split
the church. We are told that we may have to leave the diocese of Derby
and join another group. What a pity our foundations are crumbling at
a time when the Church of England should be holding together.
2015 was a happy year for Keith and I. We visited places we love and
places we always wanted to see. St. David's Cathedral in Wales, built
of blue slate looked wonderful in the sunshine. The beautiful pedestals
of green chrysanthemums and salmon carnations were a lovely colour
combination. We saw St. Peter's in Rome for the first time. We attend
St. Peter's Church in Calow, Calow is a small village on the edge of
Chesterfield. St. Peter's in Rome is bigger than the village! BUT there
were no flowers, only a few pot plants. We found that all over Tuscany.
We have a lot to be thankful for. Our flowers last for 4 weeks.
This Christmas I decorated the font in our church to represent Mary
holding the Baby Jesus. A simple Hogarth Curve of delicate white
flowers on a pedestal swathed in royal blue velvet. I used Singapore
orchids and gip. If you spray a date spathe silver on the inside and royal
blue on the outside and tape it to the pedestal, this represents Mary's
head. You can then thread a number of flower heads onto a wire and
loop them under the arrangement, or use a long strap of pearl beads to
represent the swaddling clothes. Some of the ladies from the Derby
Branch may remember we did this in a workshop some years ago.
Now the solution to our membership problem is for each of us to
encourage just one person to join. Then our numbers will double!
SIMPLE! I pray it will be. Do your best.
Wishing you a happy and successful 2016,
Ada Fawthrop
National Chairman

CEFAA Annual General Meeting
11.00am 18th June 2016
Come & spend a day in
one of the world’s most
iconic buildings.
CEFAA’s Liverpool Branch
invite you and your guests
to join us on Saturday 18th
June for the National AGM
in the Cathedral Church of
Christ, St James’ Mount,
Liverpool. 2016 marks the 35th Anniversary of the founding of
the Association. (If you can stay longer, Sunday 19th June sees
our Chain of Flowers Link service, also in the cathedral.)
Come early and explore this magnificent building, which is free
to enter between 8am and 6pm.
Enjoy a welcoming hot drink before the meeting from 10.30am.
We hope that the hot buffet lunch will be served at about 12.30pm
and this will be followed by a talk or demonstration in the
afternoon. The charge for the day will be £10 per head. (Guided
Tours of the Cathedral and the Tower are available at extra cost.)
Further information can be found overleaf.
If you are able to attend, please complete the form below and post it (or a covering
letter) with a cheque for the appropriate amount made payable to CEFAA to:
Mrs C. Marshall, 3 Renfrew Close, Marus Bridge, WIGAN WN3 5QF
Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Membership No. . . . . . . . . . .
Number of people requiring lunch . . . . . Cheque enclosed for £ . . . . . . . .
Special dietary requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (inc vegetarian option).
(On-site parking is available, £4 if paid in advance, approx £6 if paid on the day)
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Travelling to Liverpool
Rail: Main line rail services from all parts of the UK terminate at Liverpool
Lime Street station. Taxi ranks can be found at both the side entrances/exits
at Lime St.
Bus Routes: From the city centre (and Lime Street) route numbers 82 and
86A run very frequently to Garston and Speke (John Lennon Airport). The 82
stops at the bottom of Upper Duke Street, from where the cathedral is about
200 metres up the hill.
If using the 86A (or route 80) alight either near Rodney Street or at the
Philharmonic Hall, from where it’s 250 metres level walk to the cathedral.
Road: From the South use the Runcorn-Widnes bridge and then the A561
through Speke and Aigburth. From the East use the M62 and then the A5080
(Edge Lane). From the North use either the A59 or the A565.
If you would like to stay overnight ahead of the meeting, or even take a 2
night weekend break, there is a vast range of hotel accommodation available
in Liverpool – although at weekends, rooms do get booked up quickly. (If you
can stay for the weekend, come to the Cathedral again for the Chain of Flowers
service at 11.00am on Sunday.)
Hotels within walking distance of the Cathedral: the following hotels are
between 200 metres and 400m walk from the cathedral The Hope Street Hotel
(4star); Georgian Town House Hotel; The Best Western Feathers Hotel (3
star); Aachen Hotel (3star); Hatters Hostel (3 star);
Hotels on Waterfront & in City Centre: there are dozens of hotels ranging
from Dolby; Ibis; Campanile; Days Inn; Travelodge and Premier Inns to the
Holiday Inn Express at Albert Dock & 4-star establishments like the Hilton;
Hard Days Night Hotel; Titanic Hotel; Crowne Plaza; Malmaison; Atlantic
Tower; 30 James Street; Indigo and Aloft hotels.
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Twelve Days of Christmas
Traditionally Christmas lasts for twelve days, ending on Twelfth
Night, a time in the past when there were many traditions
especially in the countryside. People went out fortified by hot,
spiced ale to banish evil influences from apple trees, bees and
cattle. Animals and trees were serenaded to ensure their health
in the coming year.
Elsewhere family and friends gathered on Twelfth Night for a
final round of food, drink and games. Central to the celebration
was the Twelfth Night was the Twelfth cake decorated with red
and green knots, gold crowns and flowers. This cake was
eventually transferred to Christmas Day.
The evergreen decorations were burned on January 6th, except
for the mistletoe which was kept to protect the house. Anything
edible was fed to the animals.
The Feast of the Epiphany was celebrated in the Medieval church
with dramatic processions when gilded stars of Bethlehem were
lowered from rood lofts to guide the Wise Men who, by the 16th
Century were known as the Three Kings.
Until Victorian times greenery could be left in place until the
Church season officially ended on February 2nd, Candlemass.
The every leaf had to be taken out because any minute piece left
behind would attract goblins into the house!
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British Grown Flowers
(with reference to Countryside Magazine)
The UK’s flower industry is worth £2.2 billion each
year but British growers have only between 10 and 15
percent of the market. Most of the flowers are imported
and freighted from abroad to be sold in florists and
supermarkets.
“Flowers from the farm” was started in 2011, listing 200
growers across the United Kingdom from Cornwall to
Scotland from whom flowers can be purchased directly.
The founder, Gill Hodgson, explains that growers can
supply varieties not easily available from florists and
supermarkets.
Discussing this with two members from the York group,
I learnt that this subject has been broached in the press
(the Yorkshire Post perhaps) and that there is a farm on
the Yorkshire Wolds which sells flowers – I must
investigate.
The website address is flowersfromthefarm.co.uk.
Groups or individuals might be able to find a local
source of flowers or perhaps a speaker for a meeting.
Ruth
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“The Lenten Cross”
The Symbols and their Significance.
First Sunday – A Chalice
A reminder of how Jesus used a Chalice at the Last Supper, and
how he referred to it as a ‘cup of suffering’ in his anguished
prayer in Gethsemane.
Second Sunday – A Bag of Coins
A reminder of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas.
Third Sunday – The Crown of Thorns
A reminder of the cruel mockery Jesus suffered at the hands of
Pilate’s soldiers.
Fourth Sunday – A Purple Robe
The soldiers used this when the mocked Jesus and called him
‘King of the Jews’.
Fifth Sunday – A Whip
A reminder of how Jesus was cruelly flogged before being
crucified.
Palm Sunday – A Palm Branch
A reminder of the welcome given to Jesus when he entered
Jerusalem on a donkey.
Maundy Thursday – Bread, Wine and a Red and White Robe
The colours red and white symbolise Jesus’ blood of the new
covenant which he will not drink again until we are washed clean
of our sins (white symbolising purity) and the new kingdom can
break in.
Good Friday – Nails and a Black Robe
Today we concentrate on the nails used for Jesus’ crucifixion and
the black robe the symbolises his death and our grief.
Easter Day – A White Robe and a Kingly Crown
White is the colour of celebration. Today we celebrate Christ’s
resurrection and his victory over evil. Christ is the King of peace.
Christ is alive!
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Nine Days in the Holy Land
In the middle of November 2015 I was privileged to be among a
party of 18 of us from our church, St. John the Baptist in Barnet,
Hertfordshire, to visit Jerusalem and the area of Galilee. It was a
time of much learning, high emotion and fun.
If you spoke to any group of us, I am sure you would have several
differing answers as to what were our personal highlights. For
me, they would be visiting the old city of Jerusalem, walking in
the Garden of Gethsemane, visiting Lazarus’s tomb at Bethany,
celebrating the Eucharist at Tabgha on the shores of the Sea of
Galilee and spending time in St. Anne’s Church, Bethsaida.
Our hotel, aptly named the Golden Walls Hotel, was situated
opposite the city wall between the Herod and Damascus Gates.
The call to prayer reminded me that Jerusalem is a multi-faith
community, sadly not always living peacefully together. Walking
through the old city, I realised how little has changed in two
thousand years; the sights, sounds and smells are the same as
Jesus and his disciples would have experienced. There is a
section of the street where the paving dates back to the first
century.
As Lent approaches, the Easter story will have an added depth
for me this year. The calm and quiet I felt in the Garden of
Gethsemane will be even more meaningful as I, too, have walked
there. It is a living place with olive trees, low walls and paths.
At Bethany moving towards Lazarus’s tomb, I walked through a
garden. There, in the distance, was a man quietly tending some
plants. How I was reminded of Easter morning! The gardener,
was very keen to show us some of his plants: the bright red
flowers of the crown of thorns (Euphorbia Milii), poinsettias
growing up to two metres in height and aspidistras growing
almost as bedding plants.
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Our visit was enhanced by our guide, Daoud, a local Coptic
Christian. As our time together progressed, we learned that he is
regarded as a refugee in his own country and, if he wishes to
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travel outside Jerusalem, he has to seek 5 different sets of
permission. May I never again take my freedom to travel for
granted.He was an extremely learned man who brought the Bible
to life for us.
In the Anglican tradition Mary is not revered in the same way
that she is by Catholics. I must confess that I had not really
thought about Mary’s family before: her parents, Jesus’s
grandparents, Anne and Joachim. At Bethsaida, in St. Anne’s
Church, there is a beautiful statue of Anne and her daughter,
Mary, aged about 3 or 4, at her knee. It was humbling to see the
church and think of Jesus visiting his grandparents.
There was much laughter during our time at the Dead Sea.
Several of us ventured into the water….and bobbed! We knew it
was impossible to swim but I even found it difficult to float
without rolling over. Midst much hilarity, we attempted
synchronised bobbing! Right arms up, left legs raised….
On our penultimate day we celebrated the Eucharist on the shores
of the Sea of Galilee. Many of us were moved to tears by the
service and the setting-the simple cross fashioned from the
boughs of a tree, several stones anchoring it in position and the
sun shining on the lake. The sheer simplicity gave extra meaning
to the service.
All too soon our pilgrimage was at an end. Nine days filled with
many visits and enriching experiences, lots of laughter and
deepened friendships and much to reflect upon. It was truly a
once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Averill Lovatt
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Acknowledgement from St Paul’s
In September 2015, The Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s
Cathedral hosted a “thankyou” event for volunteers. It
consisted of afternoon tea and an opportunity to sit in the
Choir for Evensong.
Five flower arrangers from the London Branch were invited
and publicly thanked by the Dean and Canon Pastor. It was
good to meet other volunteers and hear about their work.
During the service the Dean mentioned that the Cathedral
was remembering the many volunteers who gave their time
and service. A prayer card was handed to the volunteers and
I thought you would like to read it as it applies to all CEFAA
members volunteering in their churches and cathedrals.
A Blessing in Thanks
You give so generously. As you serve here,
May you see the sacredness of your offering of time and talents.
Amy that sacredness bring light and life to those who work with you,
And to those who are refreshed, encouraged and blessed by your presence here.
May your volunteering release wellsprings of refreshment and inspiration in you.
You give so generously, so unstintingly.
We thank you and we ask God’s blessing upon you.
Amen.
Barbara Moore
London Branch.
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Snowdrops
From time to time I have placed a small vase of lily-of-the-valley
as the welcome arrangement in church – mainly for the pleasure
of the flat-dwellers in the congregation. I had, however, never
considered using snowdrops as cut flowers until I read an article
by Monty Don. He wrote…
“Snowdrops are good as cut flowers if picked with a longish
stalk, and a small posy in a delicate vase lights up a winter room.
They have a strong honeyed fragrance drawn out by the heat of
the room.”
They are also ideal pot plants. Consider planting up several pots
for window sills or the font to brighten up the church all the dark
days between Christmas and Lent. Plant a small clump in general
compost from October onwards and keep cool until the New
Year, and then bring it into some warmth. Flowers obviously keep
longer if very cool (what church isn’t?). Split and repot every
three to four years.
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The first reference the garden snowdrops was not made until
1597. “An Early Church Calendar of English Flowers” refers to
snowdrops in a poem on “flower gardens for the seasons”. There
is no reference to them growing wild before 1770. So, they are
not really wild but are garden escapees. Their native habitat is
from western Europe to the Caucasus Mountains of Iran and the
Caspian Sea. During the Crimean War soldiers dug them up to
keep in their backpacks to plant in their gardens when they
returned home. Some species are now threatened in their native
habitats.
There are more than 350 species and cultivars, 100 species in the
wild. The giant snowdrop originated in Turkey and reaches a
height of ten inches. All snowdrops are white but have varying
markings of green and yellow with flowers of varying sizes in
single or double form.
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The double is known for its ballerina like multilayered tutus.
Galanthus reginae-olgae is an Autumn flowering snowdrop.
Snowdrops have some practical uses. In “Rambles in search of
wildflowers” (1879) Margaret Plues wrote “A few of these pale
blossoms carried to the sick bed, or placed beside the worn
invalid, bring with them fresh hopes of new-sprung courage…
The snowdrop is the reliable voluntary to the sweet floor music
of Spring.”
In Science Daily (Jan 4 2010) – “Researchers at the University
of Barcelona have identified 17 bioactive compounds in winter
snowdrops. Out of the alkaloids identified, three are new to
science and belong to a group with potential applications in
treating malaria and Alzheimer's Disease.”
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The snowdrop occurs in a surprising number of religious stories
and superstitions. When Mary carried Jesus to be presented in
the temple legend describes snowdrops springing from her
footprints. Monks call the snowdrop “Our Lady of February” and
dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
February 2nd is the day for providing weather predicting, the day
when hibernating animals wake up to see if it is still winter.
Badgers, hedgehogs, bears and snowdrops are used as weather
predictors.
When Eve was banned from the garden of Eden she was
despondent in the cold dark winter, so an angel breathed on flakes
of snow turning them into snowdrops. The touch of green on the
petals is the promise that Winter would soon end.
Although it is acceptable to pick a posy of snowdrops, a first,
single flower of the season is known as a death token. If it is
picked and carried into the house death will come to someone in
the family.
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To a Snowdrop
Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!
Wordsworth
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Snowdrop Lore
In the West of England it is believed that snowdrops cannot be
brought into the house before the first chickens are hatched or
else all the eggs will be addled.
It is particularly unlucky to bring snowdrops into the house on
February 2nd, Candlemas.
The snowdrop has various common names – Fair Maids of
February, Candlemas Bells, Mary’s Tapers.
If you wish to marry within the year, you should not bring
snowdrops into the house on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.
The snowdrop in purest white array
First raises her head on Candlemas Day
While the crocus hastens to the shrine
Of Primrose love on St Valentine.
“Snowdrop” is Moscow slang for a corpse covered by snow and
revealed when the thaw comes.
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Snowdrop Biscuits
Ingredients: 1 cup butter
1 /2 cup icing sugar plus 1 cup for dusting
1 /2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped almonds or pecan nuts
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups sieved plain flour
1. Cream butter in a mixing bowl
2. Gradually add sugar ( 1 /2 cup) and salt
3. Continue creaming until light and fluffy
4. Add nuts and vanilla extract
5. Blend in flour gradually. Mix thoroughly
6. Shape into teaspoonful balls
7. Place on an uncreased baking sheet
8. Bake at 160°C / 325°F / Gas Mark 3 for 15-20 minutes
9. Sprinkle some of the icing sugar over the biscuits while
still on the sheet. Cool before removing from the sheet
10. Put some icing sugar in a large plastic bag and place
some of the biscuits inside. Gently shake well so the
sugar completely coats the biscuits
These biscuits case best after resting for a couple of days. You can
store them in the refrigerator, freezer or at room temperature.
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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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© Copyright, no part of any article in any publication of the association can
be copied in any way without the prior permission of the trustees.