I joined Market Harborough Flower Club in the 1960's. I became an avid flower arranger, not so different from my profession as a dress designer, still creating in the art form.
I served as our Club Chairman twice as well as President. I took a three year City and Guilds course, passed with distinctions, and decided to become a NAFAS demonstrator, qualifying in 1987. In the same year, my daughter, a qualified florist, and I opened a high class flower shop in Market Harborough. 
I passed my pre-National test but decided not to continue because of the work pressure in our very busy shop, which we had for 28 years. 
I'm a keen competitor at all levels gaining many awards, including a gold at Chelsea 2009, and also as a member of our Chelsea Area Gold Award winning team. 
I served on the Area Committee for several years as Photographic Rep. 
I've designed numerous Flower Festival over the years (one of my great loves) and the most memorable was the 40th Anniversary at Coventry Cathedral which I designed with Pearl Frost. 
My love of design techniques and flowers especially garden foliage is incorporated in all my work, across all media (contemporary, modern and traditional). Another special love is teaching, which I have been doing privately and for various organisations for many years. I recently gained a NAFAS teaching certificate and am now looking forward to visiting many more clubs.
I believe it's so important to facilitate the need to learn this wonderful art, especially as there are few outlets to learn in classes.