A FESTIVE time was had by all members of the Woodford and District Floral Arrangement Group, when they enjoyed a special Christmas presentation evening.

To mark the upcoming season, members welcomed Catherine Gledhills who gave a demonstration entitled Christmas Greetings, giving an array of different examples of Christmas table decorations.

Ms Gledhills' first arrangement was in a large glass vase, which had a collar of foam supported by a wire frame. Flowers included red flowering eucalyptus, tree fern, small gold baubles to give it a festive feel and white roses to complete the design.

The second display saw a large yellow box with an oasis in shredded gold tinsel, wirh red and green coloured dome sections, red gladioli and red poison roses. It included another creation with a gold ting which was linked with red velvet ribbon.

A display which caught the eye of members was a Christmas bouquet on a stand that reminded them of steps leading up to an aircraft. Ms Gledhill said the creation was inspired by a day trip she took from Manchester to Milan.

It featured hypericium berries, pink astible and flowering eucalyptus which was showered by topaz-sprayed fatsia leaves, again the display was adorned with festive baubles and ribbon.

An arrangement that had four lanterns lit up, gave members a wintry feel to complete the evening.

Ms Gledhill was given a vote of thanks by Heiki Costain. Members of the Woodford branch were joined at the event by members of other branches who also enjoyed a variety of refreshments and helped to raise money by hosting sales tables.

Group chairman Margot Cooper said: It was a most delightful evening, it really gave everyone a Christmas feel and there was some lovely displays on show. It was certainly inspiring.

Pic: Christmas delight, Catherine Gledhill with her festive displays (01/2124/27A/31A/32A AND 33A)