Page 56 • The HERALD • 8th October 2026 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH BLACKFIELD FLOWER CLUB Black eld Flower Club welcomed Julie Facey, NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) Area speaker, to their September meeting, her talk was entitled ‘Miss Willmott’s Lost Gardens’. Julie began her talk wearing a large black hat as photographs of Ellen Willmott showed her wearing similar hats. Ellen was born in 1858 to a wealthy family and was a keen horticulturist and was known for her love of Eryngium gigantium, alpine owers, roses and narcissi. A very large alpine garden had been built for her at Warley Place in Essex, the family home, which is now a nature reserve but the ruins of the original house are still there. Ellen also bought a shepherds hut when she was on holiday in the Alps. A blue plaque at Warley Place commemorates her as an outstanding horticulturist, photographer and musician. Julie Facey, NAFAS Area speaker Foresters Flower Club’s upcoming meetings are: 10th October: 10am-1pm Autumn Workshop hosted by Foresters Flower Club, Tuesday 27th October: 2pm4pm SWISH Party, hosted by Foresters Flower Club in aid of local charities, 5th November: A very special, surprise, Christmas Demonstration! Everyone is very welcome, they are a really friendly Club. Refreshments are served during the evening and there’s always a top class ra e, should you wish to join in. Membership is £45 per year, or £8 per meeting if visiting. All meetings start promptly at 7.30pm, at Copythorne Parish Hall, SO40 2NZ. For more information contact Debbie orne on: 07769 830752. Julie brought along two books written about Ellen, Miss Willmott of Warley Place and Miss Willmott’s Ghosts. A most interesting talk about an inspirational lady from another era. e October meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th October, at 2pm, with a demonstration by Lucinda Knapman entitled ‘A Kaleidoscope of Flowers’. Meetings take place at the Royal British Legion, Exbury Road, Black eld, SO45 1XD – visitors welcome. Looking ahead to 10th November, there will be a demonstration entitled ‘A Gin and Tonic’ by Morgan Douglas Nuth, national demonstrator – visitors welcome, contact Jan Gordon on: 023 8084 4835 for more details. Foresters Flower Club
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