MELKSHAM and District Flower Arranging Society donated £500 to the Chippenham charity, Doorway last week at its first meeting of 2016.
The society met at Spencer Sports and Social Club where the cheque was presented to the charity’s CEO Lisa Lewis. Doorway Wiltshire is a drop-in centre in Chippenham for people affected by homelessness. The money was raised from charity events throughout the year including an open event in May and cream teas.
Society chairman for 2015, Rosalyn Clarke said, “I’m very pleased that we raised £500 last year, and it’s great to see it go to a local charity. We chose Doorway because a number of our members support it, and we can see the money put to good use to help local people.”
Chief executive Lisa Lewis said, “We’re absolutely delighted with the society’s support and the effort they have put into fundraising.”
You can find out more about Doorway at www. doorwayproject.org.uk.
The Society’s new Chairman for 2016, Caroline Christopher, warmly welcomed the guest speaker, Dorothy Baker, who gave an illustrated talk entitled ‘The Tulip Trail’. Dressed in her Dutch costume, Dorothy took us back to China from where the bulb was brought to Turkey, it was exotic and striking and the Austrian Ambassador brought it to Europe.
The Dutch people loved it and in the 16th Century the big tulip bubble was at its height – with tulip gaming tables and bulbs being traded on the stock exchange, the inevitable happened and the bubble burst, thousands of people were made bankrupt and many committed suicide.
By the end of the 17th Century they were grown in mass in the UK in Spalding, Lincolnshire and this continues today.
Dorothy gave lots of tit-bits and information and had brought examples of the Dutch master paintings, and showed how art had encompassed the tulip; she even had a tulip tapestry holdall.
Holly Westlake gave the vote of thanks, saying it had brought back many happy memories of her visits to Holland.
The next club meeting will be on Tuesday 16th February at 2.00pm, the demonstrator will be Irene Hickson – ‘A Blast from the Past’ at Spencer’s Sports & Social Club, Beanacre Road, Melksham – for more details contact Rosalyn Clarke 01225 705007 or email: rosalyn01@btinternet.com
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