Hordle at 45

Hordle Flower Club met at The Cliff House at Barton-on-Sea to celebrate the milestone of their 45th anniversary.

A glass of champagne was on hand to greet everyone and Area Chairman, Pip Bensley, Area President, Marion Catt and Vice President, Joan Gittings were guests of the club.

A delicious dinner was served for the 45 members attending by the wonderful staff at the hotel. Club Chairman Clare Fisher addressed everyone and talked about the history of the club.

“Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying yourselves and the celebrations of the 45th Sapphire Anniversary, of our lovely Hordle Flower Club.

Back in September 1978, when the club was formed by Betty Child, there were twelve founder members. Sadly, none of them are with us now, but we are lucky to have Ann Prestige here with us tonight, the Daughter-in-law of one of the founder members.

The team worked very hard to advertise and promote the club for its first inaugural meeting, in the Village Memorial Hall in January 1979. It was based here for 21 years and went from strength to strength and then in 2000 moved to The Pavilion, where we still meet today and continue to be a great success.

At every meeting there is always a lovely atmosphere and friendship, and we all thoroughly enjoy the demonstrations and workshops, with what is now our extended flower family.

 Please will you join me and raise your glasses, to 45 successful years of Hordle Flower Club and hope for many more to follow.

We are now going to cut the beautiful cake, which has been given to us by Ivor and Kay Spreadbury, we are delighted and very grateful, so please enjoy.”

After dinner the cake was cut and members settled down to listen to Marion Catt give her presentation “A Mixed Bunch”.