THE year opened with a very enjoyable demonstration by Lyn Constable of Preston. We listened, enthralled, to stories of her travels as an RAF wife and her passionate love of flowers, both aspects reflected in her imaginative demonstration.

Her several arrangements were inspired by John Masefield's poem Cargoes, starting with an Arabian cargo, which was based on her years spent in Saudi Arabia. The bright colours of anthuriums carnations and Singapore orchids against a background of ivy and fatsia leaves, were so appropriate.

Then followed an aeroplane cargo represented by an arrangement of monkshead, lime green spray carnations and anthuriums placed on a Z-shaped stainless steel stand.

A colourful African cargo design contained a huge mask and two jungle drums with flowers and foliage placed in groups for maximum effect.

Another arrangement, using all white flowers, was based on the reference to "cheap tin trays" in the poem.

A tribute to the cargoes of Dutch flowers, which arrive here daily, was a more traditional design with pink lisianthus, roses, lilies and anthuriums.

This was a fitting finale for a very well planned and executed demonstration.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday at 7.30pm, when the demonstrator will be Carol Black, of Stockport.

The doors will be open at 6.45pm. Visitors will be welcome! P.A.W.