Herald - Issue 387

Page 54 • The HERALD • 2nd April 2020 v EMAIL: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk v | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | BLACKFIELD FLOWER CLUB In February the 61st AGM of Black eld Flower Club was well attended. e o cers were elected and Jan Gordon became Chairman. Mary Go , President, was presented with life membership in recognition of her commitment to the Club over many years. e AGM was followed by a ernoon tea and a quiz. e March meeting was in-house when members produce designs for the club and is always popular. Frances Barnett was rst to take the stage. An unusual tall, slender metal mesh stand was used and a dish containing the Oasis at the top was wrapped with purple ribbon. An outline was created with fatsia, phormium, rubus and skimmia and some grey sticks which had been sprayed with sparkle. Magenta carnations, white alstromeria, white roses, mauve freesias and pink tulips were inserted. A second arrangement was placed at the base of the design and a boa of pale mauve ostrich feathers was draped linking the two designs. A complete change came next when Joy Lovelock, a student of Ikebana, executed three spring designs and gave information on the principles of Ikebana. A half-moon black container (Hana-isho) was used for this design with a kenzan to hold two inclining stems of cherry blossom and two camellias. For the second design a round black container (Moribana) was used and stems of cherry blossom were inserted together with some small white chrysanthemums, blue irises and deep pink roses. e last design in a Heika had a structure inside to hold the contorted willow and blue irises. Apparently, irises represent the samurai for strength and the leaves are their swords. Jan Gordon, Chairman, went to the stage with a large glass jar lled with sisal, eggshells, apples, orange, glass beads and a trail of ivy and a container xed to the top of the jar. An outline was created with various types of foliage including jasmine, fatsia, choisya, viburnam, pittisporum Tom umb, garrya elliptica, cherry blossom, pussy willow and camellia. Orange roses, yellow and cream gerberas, pink spray carnations were added. A most enjoyable a ernoon with some new ideas for members. Meetings take place at the Royal British Legion Club, Exbury Road, Black eld, SO45 1ZD. Please contact 023 8084 4835 or visit www.black eld owerclub. co.uk Woodlands Gardening Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month, meetings start at 7.30pm in Netley Marsh Community Hall, and their next meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th April for a talk by Marian Catt titled ‘History of Flowers’. Visitors will be very welcome at £2.50; for more information about the club, call Susanna 023 8029 2953. History of Flowers Portland Gallery, London, is pleased to announce the arrival of Bert, his dog, our God, a national cathedral tour of an exhibition by the British artist Gary Bunt that gives visitors across the country an opportunity to see newly conceived paintings and read their accompanying poems themed around the artist’s personal interpretation of the New Testament in some of Britain’s most iconic ecclesiastical buildings. e exhibition, running at Winchester Cathedral from Wednesday 6th May to Monday 29th June , is part of an eight month trip across the UK. Each of the y one works in the show employs the artist’s signature style, attention to colour and careful compositions that o en depict scenes of dogs, farmers and landscapes that evoke a straightforward sophistication reminiscent of early British Modernist painting. Each with its own poem, express a nostalgic view of England that radiates warmth and human sentiment. Gary Bunt says: “The inspiration for my paintings comes from childhood memories; from days spent by the sea; my family; the beauty of the landscape of the South Downs and influenced by my faith. To me, Christ is as much with us today as he was when he walked the earth 2,000 years-ago and this is why I choose to bring the gospels into our time. It is the son of god’s work and merely my interpretation in paint.” e exhibition is organised with the support of the Farmington Institute, an organisation that aims to support and encourage teachers of Religious education in schools, and head teachers on values and standards. Sir Ralph Waller KBE, Director of the Farmington Institute said: “We are most fortunate to have a contemporary artist whose own interpretation of the New Testament brings it alive for many people and gives us a deeper understanding of the truths behind the New Testament stories. Gary Bunt’s paintings and poems are very much in tune with the work of the Farmington Institute.” Gary Bunt lives and works in the UK. He was born in 1957 in East Peckham. He is a self-taught artist whose passion for painting began when he was in his mid-twenties having bought himself some watercolour paints to go alongside his keen interests - reading poetry, writing and playing music. Being self- taught and having had to overcome health battles meant he felt even more compelled to paint in his own style. It is this distinctive style that his collectors and admirers have fallen in love with and now his paintings feature in private and corporate collections worldwide. e exhibition will be open from Wednesday 6th May until Monday 29th June from 9.30am until 5.30pm Monday-Saturday and 12.30pm until 3pm on Sundays. Admission: Adult £9.50, Concession £7.50, Student £6, Children under 16 (with family) Free. For images and further information please contact Nigel Rubenstein: nigel. rubenstein@gmail.com or on 07968 757436. British Artist Gary Bunt’s Exhibition Arrives at Winchester Cathedral Loaves and Fishes The Fisherman Romsey Robins is run by a small group of local people who provide support in the community. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT So many begin their grief journey long before the death of a loved one, albeit through dementia or illness. For others it can be a sudden and unexpected death. When a loved one dies there are so many mixed emotions. It can be a scary, lonely and vulnerable path. We know that talking helps. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month they welcome you to join them in a safe and caring environment. To chat openly, listen to others… or maybe simply to sit, breathe and ‘just be’ with people who understand and have experienced similar. ese sessions are led by experienced volunteers and take place from 12.30pm until 2pm at Romsey Town Hall, e Market Place, Romsey SO51 8YZ. FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE is is a relaxed and informal group. Pop in for co ee, a chat and make new friends. It’s an hour or so that can help break the loneliness of the long day. Social events tbc. All ages welcome. is takes place every Wednesday from 2pm until 3.30pm in the Function Room at e Pheonix Bar & Eatery, 30-32 e Hundred, Romsey SO51- 8BW. For more information contact Sylvia 07747 771876, Email: romseyrobins@ gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/ groups/romseyrobins Supporting Bereavvement and Loneliness Along with LOOSE ONIONS, SHALLOTS, GARLIC, PEAS, BEANS,VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS NOW STOCKING KINGS SEEDS YOUNG VEGETABLE PLANTS Visit our Tearoom for freshly prepared food or enjoy your coffee/tea break with a slice of cake Dandysford Lane, Sherfield English, Romsey SO51 6DT Tel: 01794 322566 www.gilbertsnursery.co.uk Gilberts Nursery & Tearooms (A Family Run Nursery & Tearoom) Over 40 varieties of LOOSE seed potatoes now available 1 potato 2 potato 3 potato 4 or bag up more