Hundreds Of Women Preparing Flowers

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 2

Hundreds Of Women Preparing Flowers

Members of igarden clube of 1 the Canterbury Horticultural Society’s flower-show which will open next Wednesday in Hagley < Park. There will be 24 garden clubs decorating alcoves 10 feet by 8 , feet inside a large marquee. The j convener of one club which had , its meeting yesterday to select , containers and blooms said: “As , always, there is a fever cf worry , about availability of flowers and . their quality, but somehow they , turn up to the end.” , “The flap is definitely on,” said an official pf the flower show and those involved are beginning to ' eat, - sleep and dream dahlias, gladoli and foilage. Saturday will be a busy day ' of preparation. The marquee will go up, stands will be built, plaint- , tog and papering of the alcoves ! will begin; later, tables will be draped and positions marked out for participants.' Grecian Effect A special feature this year will be a large exhibition of floral art displayed to the west end of the large marquee. Mrs R. L. Sparrow, a member of the decorative committee of the Canterbury Horticultural Society, said that she had seen the design carried out to London. Nine bays right across the west end of the marquee will have semi-circular, backs separated by fluted columns to give a Grecian effect. The bays will be filled with flowers arranged in free expression depicting different themes. Among competitive entries will , be cut flowers, decorative work, dahlias, gladioli and vegetables, as well as special blooms such as orchids, begonias, lilies, roses and cacti. _ Foliage and fruits of New Zealand are increasing in popularity for show purposes and the entries for "Spirit of Summer” are expected to be spectacular. Considerable secrecy surrounds

(the decorative entries—of the garden clubs and. Judges’ names Footpath Flowers Discussing the plans for the floral set pieces which will carpet Rolleston avenue close to the Armagh street bridge, Mr J. Taylor, the convener of the organising committee, said yesterday that he hoped 20 or more entries would be shown. The space allotted to each exhibit will be approximately six square feet and the flowers will be raised off the footpath by timber supports. Between the set pieces, a pedestrian walk will be erected so that spectators may look down on the designs. Diffused lighting will be used to illuminate the show. Among the organisations planning floral pieces are the Women’s Section of the RSA., the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and the Boys’ Brigade. The Christchurch branch of the League for the Hard of Hearing will display its initials— H. of H—in the club colours of yellow and red. The Police Women’s Social Club Is planning a policeman's helmet to dark blue and purplish flowers beside- a police badge of fem leaves with a baton and handcuffs if time permits. The large design of 15 square feet of the North Canterbury centre of the Red Cross Society will be allocated a place on the banks of the Avon river.