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