A FLOWER club born out of classes held in 1986 is celebrating after a successful three decades in operation.

Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club last week marked its 30th anniversary with a bash for members and its founders.

More than 30 members gathered at Sedgefield Parish Hall where they were presented with a buttonhole and enjoyed an evening complete with a demonstration on hat-making by Jayne Elwell and a faith supper.

Chairman and founder Kathleen Edmenson said: “We are very proud to be celebrating our pearl anniversary and one of the highlights of the evening was to invite our most senior member, Edith Davey, to cut our celebratory cake.”

The club’s formation dates back 30 years when a number of women met in what was known as Broom School, in Ferryhill, to learn how to arrange flowers with another founder member, Cynthia Scott.

“The course became so popular and the students felt that they would like to share their love of flowers with other like minded people,” added Mrs Edmenson.

This led to its foundation and the first meetings were held in Ferryhill Town Hall.

Now the club meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in Sedgefield Parish Hall for demonstrations on a variety of flower designs plus tips on the care and cultivation of flora.

Brenda Wright, of Sedgefield, has been a member from the outset and said as well as feeding her love of flower-arranging, the club had given her life-long friendships.

She added: “I’ve had various pastimes but flower-arranging was the one that really stood out among them all. It’s very social, relaxing and just wonderful.”

The club currently has about 40 members on the books but the committee, which includes third founder member and president Jean Dixon, is keen to attract more.

Mrs Edmenson said: “We are known as a friendly club and we’d love to welcome anyone interested in flowers to come along and join us.”

Anyone wanting to join or for more information about the club call secretary Sandra Coyle on 07533752870.