Past Events - 2023
JANUARY 2023 - MATTHEW from Spriggs Florist, Petworth
A great start to the year and an inspiring end to January! Matthew demonstrated an easy to follow hand tied bouquet, a great alternative to the traditional wreath with a focus on spring and some wonderful arrangements for the home.
FEBRUARY 2023 - Ben from Crosslands Nursery
An informative, important and highly entertaining afternoon, given by Ben @alstroemeriaben Full of passion, knowledge and history, Ben explained the importance of championing our British Flower Farmers, and make informed choices when buying flowers.
The Alstroemeria is often over-looked as just a supermarket flower - but no more!! Ben brought bunches of freshly harvested flowers from Crosslands Nursery in Walberton. These ‘bad boys’ as Ben calls them, will last two weeks, with opening buds and the richest of green leaves. Needless to say every bunch was bought!!!!
Ben supplies many local florists in and around Midhurst, including last month’s guest speaker @spriggsflorist. The @midhurstbudsandblooms Society are proud to support Ben and together we can spread the word, champion home grown flowers and continue to support all things LOCAL 🌿
MARCH 2023 - Hattie & Flos
A special Members Only event to celebrate our first birthday! We welcomed back the wonderful duo from Hattie & Flos who inspired us at our very first meeting. More creative inspiration with their budget conscious flower arrangements using very unusual vases made on the spot from twigs and branches!
Our celebration was topped off with an amazing cake from @wigglecakes, chocolate Easter gifts by @nobleandstace and we were lucky to have the event recorded by @crsison_photo.
APRIL 2023 - Paul Hawkins Floristry
Another wonderful demonstration, this time from the highly entertaining and very accomplished florist Paul Hawkins. Paul showed us a range of displays from intimate table scapes to large centrepieces, interspersed with hilarious anecdotes from his working life.
The afternoon finished with a delicious selection of cakes made by some of our members.
MAY 2023 - Kate Owens, Verdley Flowers
Kate sells her plants and stunning flowers at @cowdrayestate farm shop. She inspired us with her story and the fantastic things she does with flowers, greenery and grasses!
We also had the inspiring @candymoonstudio and our members went crazy for her amazing handmade artistic pieces. Her shop is near Church Square and members receive a 10% discount with their membership card.
JUNE 2023 - Philip Jackson Studio and Sculpture
We had a wonderful visit to @philipjacksonsculptures garden and studio, spending a delightful few hours in the company of internationally renowned Sculptor Philip Jackson @philipjacksonsculptures in his stunning garden and studio.
Everything was special and happy; full of smiles, laughter, tea in vintage china cups, with saucers @flyingsaucercrockery and wonderful homemade cakes and very tasty sandwiches from @comestibles_midhurst
The tea-table was decorated with gorgeous garden flowers from Members’ gardens, framed by candy pink and white striped table linen from @bonprovence
Our members wore such pretty dresses, and the photos, courtsey of @crsison_photo, serve as a wonderful reminder of a special day.
July 2023 - Hortus Poeticus
Such a wonderful afternoon with Fi and Jessie from Hortus Poeticus talking all things flowers and showing a few ideas on how to decorate your table for a summer party! They also created and edible summer table scape, all flowers grown on their land in West Meon, herbs, apples and squash from the gardens with a little help from @iowtomatoes!
We also had Mike from Noble and Stace showcasing his wonderful, locally made, artisan chocolates. Not only did he give us discounts on the day but also 10% every purchase when presenting an MBBS card!!
September 2023 - The Garden Goddesses
A great start to the autumn with the dynamic Garden Goddesses! Sophie and Helier talked about their Sows and Grows courses, what they’ve grown over the summer and what they plan to sow next. They sowed cornflowers and Larkspur and then Sophie made a dried flower wreath from the flowers she’s grown and dried during the year. A full circle year in the cutting garden with top tips and encouragement to have a go.
”We had an absolute ball, Mary Ann, you and your committee have created the most special society and it was our delight to talk about our precious seeds and flowers to such a welcoming and interested audience, thank you so much for inviting us. Plus it was wonderful to see the beautiful things @herberthedleyuk on sale, it’s a great tradition you have showcasing local businesses at each talk.”
October 2023 - Ramshackle Flowers
The delightful and inspirational young gardener, Lucy Lee, inspired us with the story of Ramshackle Flowers. Lucy detailed her journey from cultivating her own flowers in a small plot to drying and designing long lasting floral arrangements and hair accessories. She showed us how to look at these dried flowers with a fresh eye and discover their inherent beauty.
November 2023 - This Floral Life
Our final event of the year, for members only, was held at the Park House Hotel in Bepton who provided festive bubbles and petit fours along with our tea. We had the festivally decorated barn to ourselves and enjoyed an inspirational demonstration by Karen and Becky from @thisflorallife on Christmas decorating with foraged greenery. Showcases were provided by Noble and Stace (wonderful handmade chocolates), Bon Provence (Mediterranean style table linens) and Louise head of Spa at the Park House hotel. We raised £455 from the raffle which was rounded up to £500 and donated to @midhurstpalliativecare. The society then matched that for a Christmas donation of £500 to @overthemoon_charity. The perfect way to end a successful year!
January 2024 - Phoebe Tomlins
Phoebe Tomlins from Hummingbird Floral Designs launched our sustainable, local, seasonal floral year with the help of her friend and mentor Mark Saunders, head gardener at Fittleworth House. Her inspirational arrangement was conjured up using twigs, lichen, hellebores, moss, snow drops and dwarf daffodils.
February 2024 - Emma from Pitfield Barn Flowers
Emma talked to us about the challenges and joys of flower farming. She supplies beautiful blooms to florists as well as for editorial, fashion and commercial photo shoots. During the season she runs workshops as well as a cafe from the farm near Brighton.
March 2024 - Second Birthday - Cowdray Walled Garden
Buds and Blooms celebrated another successful year with an afternoon at the Cowdray Walled Garden. In the words of one of our members: “What a great day which uplifted everyone from the pesky rain. A packed itinerary that flowed seamlessly from business, to a fascinating talk on forestry then the joyful floral demonstrations. Really was a super pick me up afternoon with lots of laughter and engaging banter”
