Report on Visit to the Garden Clubs of Ontario Flower Show

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REPORT ON VISIT TO THE GARDEN CLUBS OF ONTARIO FLOWER SHOW

“ART THROUGH THE AGES – A FLORAL JOURNEY” JUNE 14-16, 2016

IN BURLINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

On Sunday June 12th, 2016 eight members of the Barbados Association of Flower Arrangers flew to Burlington, Canada to attend the Garden Clubs of Ontario Triennial Flower Show – “Art Through the Ages – A Floral Journey” which was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens. These members were Maurice Webster, Julie Alleyne, Heather Redman, Patricia Harte, Dorothy Harte, Verna Small, Eleanor Jordan and her husband Washington Jordan.

We were met at the Lester Pearson Airport and were transported to the hotel by a coach, compliments of the BTMI’s office in Canada to the Waterfront Hotel, Burlington where we stayed.

The week was full of activities and our Canadian friends spoilt us with their warm hospitality.

We were invited by The Garden Clubs of Toronto to stage an honorary exhibit to showcase Barbados as the hosts of the WAFA 12th World Flower Show –“Flowers in Paradise”. Therefore, on Monday Maurice and I visited Hofland’s Flower Shop, to choose the flowers and other materials for the staging of the exhibit. This was supported by the BTMI’s Office in Canada, who helped with the setting up of the Barbados Tourism’s promotional banners and covered the cost of the flowers and other materials.

The flower shop was a nice experience as there was an extensive variety of floral supplies, exotic vases and containers, which one could purchase.

The Show was divided into two sections – Floral Art and Horticulture. It was an interesting show schedule. The Classes in the schedule included categories like Stone Age Art, Celtic Coringian or Gothic Art, Modern Art (20th Century), Abstract Art and Canadian Art. Patricia Harte and I staged our exhibits for the Imposed Class “Abstract Art Early 20th Century” (Section A) which was opened to visitors only. Section B of this Class was opened to the Ontario Club members. At the end of the judging, Pat had gained a third prize and I gained a second prize.

Some very interesting things that I learnt about the Show – The entries to most of the classes were limited to 5 or 6; as it is a garden club there was a class where the material used in your exhibit had to come from one’s own garden; and each exhibitor had to detail all the items used in the exhibit, indicating the scientific and common names; the warmth of the friendly rivalry.

Our very friendly and enjoyable social activities started on Wednesday when all of us were taken on a trip to Niagara Falls. On the way to the Falls we stopped for lunch and wine tasting at some wineries; as well as a very pleasant and enjoyable visit with Club member Ruth Boulton who lives in the very beautiful and historic town of Niagara on the Lake, in a charming beautiful seaside home where we could see the coastline of New York. These activities continued on Saturday with some more wine tasting and visits to wineries after which the group was entertained at a Barbecue at the ho me of Lillie Haworth who lives in Grimsby.

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Thursday was a day of demonstrations and lectures held in the McQuesten Theatre, an airy open theatre outside of the exhibition hall. This was in an ideal position to facilitate the other activities which were part of the show – Presentation of Awards, Demonstrations and Lectures. At 1:00 p.m. our President spoke to the audience about what to expect at the WAFA 12th World Flower Show and encouraged persons to visit Barbados for June 2017. This presentation was very well received.

Our Canadian friends were very supportive of the Show and spoke highly of their visit to Barbados in 2015. Many of them promised to sign up for the 2017 show. The show closed at 4:00 p.m. after which we were taken to dinner at a very nice restaurant on the lake shore.

Friday was a day to ourselves and included Pat and company going off to visit family, shopping and visiting downtown Toronto. Next to the Hotel was a weekend of music and entertainment and we were able to enjoy some of this.

The trip was an extremely busy and enjoyable one and we thank the Members of the Garden Clubs of Ontario, their President Claudette Smith and Susan Suter – Show Co-ordinator - for arranging such an enjoyable trip.

Julie Alleyne