Benefits Of Floral Art

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32253, 23 March 1970, Page 2

Benefits Of Floral Art

Flower arranging “brings out the best in people,” according to Mrs Adele Gotobed, a well-known British floral artist, teacher, and judge.

“It gives a lot of pleasure to other people and is satisfying to yourself because you are creating something. Flower arranging is a relaxing hobby, and has great therapeutic qualities. You may not be an expert, but that does not mean you don’t get pleasure out of it,” she said.

Mrs Gotobed should know: she is an expert on the subject For five years, she has been chairman of the demonstration and education committee of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies of Great Britain, and a vice-president of

the London and overseas area. The association has more than 76,000 members. In Christchurch yesterday, Mrs Gotobed was preparing to begin a six-week demonstration tour of new Zealand sponsored by the Floral Art Society of New Zealand. “The flower movement is becoming so world-wide, everyone is interested in it,” she said. “I hope to be able to introduce it to people as a sort of seeing eye. Flower arranging can make you more aware of what is going on round you, and opens your mind to wider interests, such as art, pottery, or sculpture.” Those who arranged flowers usually developed into horticulturists, too, Mrs Gotobed said. “You need to grow some of your own materials, particularly leaves, which are sometimes difficult to get. I find it easier to grow shrubs and

.buy most of my flowers. But it need not be an expensive hobby at all- you can spend as little or as much as you like.”

Mrs Gotobed has two gardens, one at her home in Middlesex and the other at her cottage in Wiltshire. “One is all chalk soil and the other acid soil so I have to use totally different techniques for what I grow. Mostly, I believe in practical experience rather than advice and instruction for growing plants.” Interested in flower arranging since she was “knee-high to a grashopper,” Mrs Gotobed began competitive work “just for my own amusement.” She has been in the floral arrangement movement in England since it started about 20 years ago. The national association became a recognised body 10 years ago. Mrs Gotobed has won all the major British awards for floral art, including the “Daily Mail” Cup twice, and many gold medals and trophies from the Royal Horticultural Society. No particular style of arrangement is a favourite with Mrs Gotobed. She believes in having an open mind and “never standing still—restrictions stifle creativity.” Mrs Gotobed will begin her demonstration tour in Dunedin, and will appear in the Christchurch Wool Exchange on the evening of April 6.