One Last Time…
Pip Bensley the Area Chairman ‘what's apped’ me and said I had come to the top of the list to do flowers at Westminster Abbey and asked if I had a little friend who would work alongside me!
Well of course, it was a forgone conclusion that there was only one ‘little’ friend in the world - my flower partner Sue. We work well together both being ‘fast' arrangers and able to plan well and compliment each other's skills.
Sue Snook from Lymington Flower Club with her pedestal
Over the years we have successfully exhibited at many shows, festivals, Cathedrals and Chelsea. Recently however we have said “this is the last time….” several times now!!! I immediately called up Sue and asked her if she would like to do Westminster Abbey! The answer was a resounding yes!
I now live in Chipping Norton but have retained my membership of Lymington Flower Club. (I am proud to be a member of this prestigious, successful forward thinking and active club).
The logistics needed to be worked out… I was to drive to Lymington on Good Friday, stay over night with Sue and then we both left at 6.30am Easter Saturday to London to arrive for a 9.30 start with a finish of 12.30. then back to Lymington and home to the Cotswolds on Easter Sunday morning having lost an hour in the meantime !
I had to get security clearance to park in the Abbey Cloisters, a ULEZ permit and Congestion Charge all done online and repaid by NAFAS.
Parking in the cloisters is a real bonus. We had been emailed some instructions of the ‘dos and don’ts’ of working in the Abbey; we would be arranging 2 pedestals in the Quire which would be viewed all round.
We arrived and our flowers were there ready for us - an enormous amount- bamboo canes for height, white lilies, white and yellow roses, yellow spray chrysanthemums, white lisianthanus, bright orange gerberas, eucalyptus, trailing ruscus and aspidistra leaves plus we had taken some smaller filler foliage.
Off you go !
It was a real challenge working up so high (approx. five feet up 4 steps) and a viewed all round design. You couldn’t get all the way round and it was really difficult leaning out over peoples’ heads with no guard rail ! Not for the faint hearted or the light headed.
The most unexpected aspect was the noise level from the public all round you, it was Easter Saturday and the Abbey was really crowded. It sounded so loud all the time almost like a football match crowd! With all the guided tour groups,in every conceivable language!
This was not that conducive to peacefully creating a really large design with an amazing amount of flowers. But I did learn some interesting facts about the Abbey and the recent Coronation. One comment from an American visitor made me titter — “Is this where Meghan got married?” “No madam it is not” replied the suddenly very British guide “I’m not sure where Prince Harry married her!” I helped him out by suggesting, from on high, that it was St George's Chapel Windsor !
Overall an adrenaline pumping experience and a great honour to work in such an historic building. Thanks to NAFAS And Wessex and Jersey for the opportunity
So never say never again…. We will be back… !
Janice Viveash & my ‘little friend’ Sue Snook x
The pedestals are really tall, up to 14 foot from the floor to the top of the design.