Golden blooms

Celebrating with Oldham Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle, are (from left) Barbara Jones, Doreen Buckley, treasurer Marjorie Bottomley, Mavis Pellowe, chairman Kathleen Williams, Susan Cunningham and secretary Mavis Ogden

Saying it with flowers after 50 years

A GROUP which promises fun, friendship and flowers is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Members of Oldham Floral Art Society have been creating stunning arrangements — which have graced the likes of Manchester Cathedral — since 1960.

A member of NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) it continues to thrive and is one of only 13 clubs in the North-West to have reached its golden jubilee.

Originally an offshoot of Oldham Chrysanthemum Society, chairman Kathleen Williams said: “They sponsored us and gave us a donation of £5, that kicked us off.

“We were the first in the area and our subscription when we started was five shillings. At the very first meeting there were 15 members but within a month that went up to 50.”

The group originally met at the Lyceum, with Chadderton and Saddleworth later going on to establish their own societies.

Kathleen added: “The ladies back then all wore hats. It was very formal and we are not. We were laughing at the minutes because they are all referred to ‘Mrs such-a-body’ and ‘Miss such-a-body’. Now we don’t know our members’ surnames!

“We have a very friendly club and people come to have a laugh. It’s supposed to be fun, friendship and flowers.”

Over the years, membership has grown and dipped, and around 40 to 50 people currently attend monthly meetings at Oldham Baptist Church where members recently celebrated the milestone.

Last year, members helped to fill Manchester Cathedral with 20,000 blooms as part of the Manchester International Festival. This year, they will be staging their first festival at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Royton, in September, while the society also aims to attract younger members.

The current crop includes three in their 80s, including longest-serving member Edith Robinson who joined in 1962.

Kathleen said: “It’s not old-fashioned and we have quite a lot of contemporary work.

“We want to have a push this year to attract some younger members. Some areas even have junior clubs.”


Anyone who is interested in joining should call 0161-633 5830.