Wessex at Westminster Abbey
Area Past President and current NAFAS Board Member Mala Williams was joined by our Area Chairman Pip Bensley to create flowers in the Quire at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Service.
Their allocated flowers included glorious rich golden roses, rich deep port carnations, luxurious purple anthuriums, ruffled lisianthus in deepest blue and clear white, huge snowy white chrysanthemums, golden yellow gerberas, starry blue eryngiums and creamy yellow carnations.
Mala and Pip added to the foliage supplied by the NAFAS Westminster Abbey Co-ordinators with Monstera, laurel, Arbutus, Magnolia grandiflora, sword fern, Dracaena and Phormium.
Arranging was quite a challenge as the pedestals are up on a raised platform and the BBC were working the the same space to set up all the cameras for the service which was broadcast live. A sense of humour and good communication meant both our NAFAS teams and the BBC completed all the preparations before the Abbey doors opened at 12.30.
An invitation to attend the service is a very special honour and Pip and Mala donned their fascinators (full size hats are not allowed unless you are royalty) and took their seats behind the royal party.
The service is a wonderful celebration of the Commonwealth and all the positive things it encompasses. In a break with tradition Kind Charles addressed the service saying “The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me. Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold”.
He also mentioned the Queen “Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved Mother, The late Queen – a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life. In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, I draw great strength from her example, together with all that I have learnt from the extraordinary people I have met, throughout the Commonwealth, over so many years.”
It was an extremely moving service with performances from all round the Commonwealth and Mala and Pip were extremely honoured to be there to represent Wessex & Jersey.