Flowers and Music -
June and August 2023
Enjoy sustainable floral designs set to music at two special events in Bristol
‘An English Country Garden’ on Saturday 17th June,
‘Summer Flowers and Music’ on Saturday 12th August 2023
Both at All Saints’ Church, Clifton, Bristol from 3.30 pm to 6 pm
Come and enjoy watching talented floral designers at work whilst listening to a selection of English classical music played in the beautiful church of All Saints, Clifton in Bristol. Then learn how these designers have embraced sustainability by using locally grown seasonal English blooms and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional foam and mechanics to create their stunning arrangements.
At the 17th June event, celebrated floral designer Pam Lewis will be working with Lucy Ellis to create seasonal designs to the sound of an evocative selection of English music played by All Saints’ Director of Music John Davenport on piano, accompanied by flute. The church, renowned for its music and stunning John Piper windows, provides an ideal setting to sit and watch this ‘Flowers and Music’ event organised jointly by All Saints and Bristol’s Henleaze and District Flower Club.
At the 12th August ‘Summer Flowers and Music’ event Kathryn Delve, Master Florist, will be working with experienced demonstrators, Carolyn Cooper and Lesley Hunt.
Both ‘Flowers and Music’ events will be using blooms grown by community enterprise Elm Tree Farm in Stapleton, Bristol. Elm Tree Farm is part of Bristol-based charity Brandon Trust, and provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism to gain work skills and access vocational training. All the profits from both days will go to Elm Tree Farm to support their work. Their market garden cultivates a range of seasonal fruit and vegetables using organic methods and unsold stock is used to make their own chutneys and jams. The nursery grows a range of herbs and potted plants which are raised from seed. They also grow popular cut flowers throughout the summer season. Elm Tree Farm produce is sold at their farm shop in Stapleton and at St Nicholas Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays.
The demonstration will last from 4 pm to 5 pm. After the performance you will have the opportunity to meet the designers and musicians over drinks and nibbles and learn more about Elm Tree Farm. There will also be stalls to browse both before and after the demonstration. If the weather is good, visitors will also be able to explore All Saints’ delightful secret garden.
Going ‘foam-free’
“Our ‘foam-free’ journey began last November when Michael Bowyer ran a hugely popular teaching demonstration and workshop with eco-friendly alternatives to traditional flower arranging practice” explains Jenny York, Chair of Bristol’s Henleaze and District Flower Club and Director of Flowers at All Saints.
“Michael, NAFAS Past President and Salisbury Cathedral Creative Director of Flowers, is one of the country’s leading foam-free designers. His demonstration and workshop attracted over 70 people from around the region. Since then, it’s been a very interesting and exciting learning curve, with the church abandoning the use of foam in all its arrangements.
“We are also planning an autumn event to take place on Saturday 11 November to tie in with Remembrance Day, at which Michael Bowyer has kindly agreed to showcase some more of his designs.”
Ro York, Events Director at Bristol’s Henleaze and District Flower Club, says “We are enormously grateful to the floral designers and musicians who are giving their time to support our charitable events, as well as the volunteers from the partner organisations, All Saints Church, Bristol’s Henleaze and District Flower Club, Elm Tree Farm and the Brandon charitable foundation. We hope to spread the message about sustainability, raise money for a good cause and let everyone involved enjoy an afternoon focused on flowers and music.”
Tickets and location details
Tickets: cost £12.50 (free entry for carers) and are available in advance online via Eventbrite.
Alternatively tickets for both events can be bought on the day on at the door (cash only)
Location: Church of All Saints, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3ED
-
There are no parking restrictions at weekends, and good transport links by bus and local train.
Further Information
If you have any questions about either event, or would like to be involved, please contact Ro York, Secretary of Bristol's Flower Club, by email at: ro@royork.com