The JDS&E Residential Refresher course was held for all those on the Area List. It
took place on 24th and 25th January 2012 at the Towers Hotel, Jersey Marine, Swansea.
Delegates attended from all four disciplines and from as far afield as Pembroke
and Cheltenham. The Judges, Demonstrators, Speakers and Teachers representatives
on the committee each did a short session which was relevant for everyone attending.
This was followed by a visit to Plantasia where we got up close to living specimens
of many of the exotic plants which flower arrangers love to use. In the evening,
the guest demonstrator was internationally renowned florist, Sarah Horne, who wowed
us with her arrangements.
On the second day, Sarah Horne gave two workshops. The outgoing chairman, Katherine
Kear, had asked that she challenge us and her title was "Talking Technical." Sarah
gave clear, step-by-step explanations of how Gregor Lersch in particular had developed
and evolved the techniques so much in vogue on the continent and which she herself
uses in much of her work. It was interesting and refreshing to compare and contrast
the NAFAS Elements and Principles of Design with those that she was using. Increasingly,
these techniques are being used by flower arrangers in the UK, particularly in competitions.
There was plenty for Judges, Teachers, Speakers and Demonstrators to inwardly digest
as we tackled the first of two designs. Emphasis was on the upward, vertical movement.
We learnt how to create a framework of wire mesh and Cornus (see the photo below
of Carola Kean at work). This was placed on a low, flat dish and anchored in sand
and gravel. Water was added and then the plant material. (Some of us decided that
we'd need to practise the mesh-making technique when we got home!) The second arrangement
was long and low, with a strong horizontal feeling and yet very upright. It was designed
to stretch along the centre of a table. We rolled Aspidistra leaves and placed them
down a double tray (see the photos of Katherine Kear with Claire Townsend and that
of Sandra Snell). Flowers were grouped in pairs plus one at the other end. Everything
was placed vertically and was of the same height (see close-up photos of Sarah Horne's
design). To finish and extend the work, related pieces of plant material were wired
and draped over the design, extending at each end (see photo of the finished design
by Sarah Horne.)
Many thanks to Ann Thewlis for providing the write-up above and photos for the slideshow
below.
