Ballymena Floral Art Group- Report to Charity Commlssion Date- from 11512023 to 301412024 Contact Address Mrs Gladys Smyth OBE 62 Largy Road, Carnlough Ballymena, Co. Antrim BT44 OJJ Chari Trustees Mrs Gladys (Vice- President), Mrs Karen Frew (Chairman), Mrs Heather Hume, Mrs Ross McGookin, Mrs Avril Kidd, Miss Barbara Irwin, Mrs Betty Mcclean, Mrs Julie Carlisle, Mrs Colleen Hamill, Mrs Adeline Cherry. th The Club is governed by its Constltution as adopted on 17 May 2022 by members in the Annual General Meeting. Pur The purpose of Ballymena Floral Art Group is to advance the education of individuals in the creative art of flower arranging. To advance education in floral art and design for the benefit of the public in Ballymena and the surrounding areas by providing opportunities for the public to learn and appreclate all aspects of floral art and design. Maln actlvlties In su ort of the Club's ur oses May 2023: Annual General meeting, Positlon of those remaining and new members on the committee. President: Sandra Carson (inactive due to ill health), Vice President: Gladys Smyth OBE, Chairman: Karen Frew, Vice Chairman: Heather Hume, Secretary: Ross McGookin, Treasurer: Avril Kidd, Assistant Treasurer: Barbara Irwin, Sales Table: Colleen Hamill, Julie Carlisle, Flower Arranger Rep. Adeline Cherry and new member a5 Media Officer Mrs Elizabeth Mcclean: The election was followed by a floral demonstration 'Signs of the Seasons, by John Paul Deacan.
June 2023: The Club's Annual outing was a visit to Ann Johnston garden in Kilkootry, Omagh where we were treated to a tour of Ann's wonderful garden followed by tea/coffee. September 2023: The club meetings resumed again in West Church Hall. On the first night back after the summer break, members pay their dues for another year and are issued with the membership cards and the programme for the year. An announcement was made in advance of this meeting to invite visitors and friends for a free evening in the hope they would wish to join the club. Each month the club hold a sales table with floral art sundries run by two committee members. This gives member the opportunity to purchase floral art items at competitive prices. The floral demonstrated on the night was provided by Marie Cairns, titled The Arrival of Autumn,. A competition is held every month when members can compete on the show st bench and are awarded points for enterlng and coming 1 , 2. and 3 Points awarded each month are added up at end of competition year and trophies are presented at the Annual Dinner. This month's title was Yhe Colour Orange, which was judged by Marie Cairns. October 2023: The demonstration for this meetlng was 'Oh, woodn't it be loverly, by Shirley Moore. The October competition was 'Autumn Glorf Judged by Shirley. For the flrst time In our club we had a plant stall with plants donated by some members. This gave all members the opportunity to purchase plants suitable for flower arranging and to encourage them to develop their gardens. The plant stall brought in £135 for club funds. November 2023: This is an Open Night when we raise funds for a chosen charity each year and when members of the general public are invited to attend. The chosen charity this year was for Air Ambulance with a donation of £300. The demonstration title Ying and Yan8' was presented by South African Malcolm Kitt and Greg Baptie. This was a highly amusing double act. December 2023 . A Christmas workshop was run by Michael Doherty giving several options for members to create one of their choice which Michael then judged and points awarded.
January 2024: This meeting was cancelled due to the inclement weather. February 2024: A cheque for £300 was presented to the Air Ambulance Association representative, who gave us a talk on their service and explained that it takes £6,000 per day to run the service. After all business was conducted we had a demonstration by Roberta Orr titled 'Light, Camera, Action,. The competition on the evening was 'Fun with Foliage, March 2024: This was a fun night when a number of committee members set up tables with different activities e.8. Dingbat Quiz, identify plants, identify containers from the different eras in flower arranging, practice in plant manipulation Aprll 2024: The Annual club dinner was held in Leighinmohr House Hotel for members and invited guests. After business and the dinner members were entertained to a demonstration by Mrs Barbara Megarry titled 'lnspired by The Season,. The floral competition on the evening was titled 'Elegance' and the Ivan Watt Memorial Trophy was presented to the wlnner. How actlvlties have rovlded a beneflt to Its beneficlarles The beneficiarles are members of Ballymena Floral Art Group and their friends together with members of the general public who attend meetings and public events such as the Open Ni8ht and garden visit. Our chosen charity for the year was the ' Air Ambulance ' which received a donation from the Club. In addition our members or8ani5e the floral competition at Ballymena Agricultural Show and actively encourage young people to take part by sponsoring prizes for all entries In the Junior section. Si ned Date .Vice President u>3• . Chairman . Secretary a..J.3t ..0. 21 . Treasurer