Sue Thompson - Area Demonstrators Rep
I love being a demonstrator and am therefore delighted to be the area demonstrator's representative. In this role, I represent the demonstrators at JDSE&P committee meetings. I also attend demonstrator reps meetings at NAFAS HQ and pass on information from the national demonstrator's committee to our demonstrators. I also look after demonstrators who visit Kent for Area Days.
Periodically Refresher Days are held for demonstrators to give us all a chance to reflect on our demonstrations and consider how to keep that "wow factor" in our demonstrations.
Becoming an Area Demonstrator
Being a demonstrator can be very rewarding. To be a demonstrator, a candidate must attend a course of tuition which includes a number of mandatory modules. There is then a test before a live audience. The standard is high and not only must candidates "perform" their demonstration while explaining the use of the Elements and Principles of Design, they must also complete a plant identification and prepare a portfolio. If you are interested in becoming a demonstrator please contact me on sue.thompson55@btinternet.com
Demonstrators understand that the facilities that clubs enjoy at their venues differ. Some have large stages with the audience looking up, some are small halls with no stage and there is every possible combination in between. Knowledge of your venue helps the demonstrator to plan to make the most of the space and so please do send as much information as you can. Photographs are particularly helpful. There is a form to help you provide information to the demonstrator and this can be downloaded
I love being a demonstrator and am therefore delighted to be the area demonstrator's representative. In this role, I represent the demonstrators at JDSE&P committee meetings. I also attend demonstrator reps meetings at NAFAS HQ and pass on information from the national demonstrator's committee to our demonstrators. I also look after demonstrators who visit Kent for Area Days.
Periodically Refresher Days are held for demonstrators to give us all a chance to reflect on our demonstrations and consider how to keep that "wow factor" in our demonstrations.
Becoming an Area Demonstrator
Being a demonstrator can be very rewarding. To be a demonstrator, a candidate must attend a course of tuition which includes a number of mandatory modules. There is then a test before a live audience. The standard is high and not only must candidates "perform" their demonstration while explaining the use of the Elements and Principles of Design, they must also complete a plant identification and prepare a portfolio. If you are interested in becoming a demonstrator please contact me on sue.thompson55@btinternet.com
Demonstrators understand that the facilities that clubs enjoy at their venues differ. Some have large stages with the audience looking up, some are small halls with no stage and there is every possible combination in between. Knowledge of your venue helps the demonstrator to plan to make the most of the space and so please do send as much information as you can. Photographs are particularly helpful. There is a form to help you provide information to the demonstrator and this can be downloaded
| extra_information_required_by_demonstrators.pdf |
Reference should also be made to the code of conduct for Clubs and Demonstrators
| code-of-practice-updated-2016-website-version.pdf |
Unfortunately, the weather in the UK is not always kind to our plans. When making decisions about the weather's impact on your event do consider that the weather may be much worse where your demonstrator lives or the areas they have to travel through so do make contact with them as soon as possible. There are recommended guidelines for extreme weather conditions and these can be downloaded below
| extreme-weather-guidelines.pdf |
Sue's contact details: sue.thompson55@btinternet.com
Demonstrators
Jacqui Arnold - National Demonstrator
Jacqui is a National Demonstrator from Ashford in Kent. Her work is wide and varied and has included commissions for 'A Royal Wedding' and 'The Brit Awards''. Jacqui enjoys competing and is the proud owner of two prestigious Chelsea Gold Medals. She was also awarded Gold for her Floral Window designs in the King's Rd, for Chelsea in Bloom 2014 and 2015. Jacqui has been a National Demonstrator since 2012. She enjoys sharing her love of flowers with her enthusiastic audiences by including both her traditional designs using fabulous garden plant material; with more contemporary designs, keeping abreast of current trends and sharing her techniques. Email address: jacquiarnold53@hotmail.com
Jacqui is a National Demonstrator from Ashford in Kent. Her work is wide and varied and has included commissions for 'A Royal Wedding' and 'The Brit Awards''. Jacqui enjoys competing and is the proud owner of two prestigious Chelsea Gold Medals. She was also awarded Gold for her Floral Window designs in the King's Rd, for Chelsea in Bloom 2014 and 2015. Jacqui has been a National Demonstrator since 2012. She enjoys sharing her love of flowers with her enthusiastic audiences by including both her traditional designs using fabulous garden plant material; with more contemporary designs, keeping abreast of current trends and sharing her techniques. Email address: jacquiarnold53@hotmail.com
Helga Cukure - Area Demonstrator
Helga qualified as an area demonstrator in 2019
Contact: hcukure@inbox.lv
Helga qualified as an area demonstrator in 2019
Contact: hcukure@inbox.lv
Trudie Easton - Area Demonstrator
Trudie is an ward winning freelance floral designer and demonstrator. Having discovered floristry relatively recently after a career in Film and Television design, Trudie brings a unique and quirky approach to her designs. She lives in rural Kent and is hugely influenced by the changing countryside around her home, using seasonal, home grown and British materials where possible. Trudie qualified as an area demonstrator in June 2019 and is a member of Sheldwich Flower Club and Vanguard Contemporary Design Group. Contact: tgeaston@gmail.com
Trudie is an ward winning freelance floral designer and demonstrator. Having discovered floristry relatively recently after a career in Film and Television design, Trudie brings a unique and quirky approach to her designs. She lives in rural Kent and is hugely influenced by the changing countryside around her home, using seasonal, home grown and British materials where possible. Trudie qualified as an area demonstrator in June 2019 and is a member of Sheldwich Flower Club and Vanguard Contemporary Design Group. Contact: tgeaston@gmail.com
Patricia Ellis - Area Demonstrator
Patricia Ellis qualified as a demonstrator in 2007 and since then has been delighting audiences throughout the area and beyond with her fabulous designs. She is a member of Sevenoaks Flower Club and Vanguard Contemporary Design Group and is the flower co-ordinator for Southwark Cathedral in London a post she is justly proud to hold
Contact: hupat@talktalk.net
Patricia Ellis qualified as a demonstrator in 2007 and since then has been delighting audiences throughout the area and beyond with her fabulous designs. She is a member of Sevenoaks Flower Club and Vanguard Contemporary Design Group and is the flower co-ordinator for Southwark Cathedral in London a post she is justly proud to hold
Contact: hupat@talktalk.net
Helen Hare - Area Demonstrator
I have a passion for all things floral, having worked as a freelance florist for many years, in 1997 I converted this passion into a GNVQ in floristry, followed by a Diploma in NAFAS Floral Art and Design.
I passed the Area demonstrators test in May 2016, I am now delighted to be sharing my passion with members across the county.
Contact: hellenhare@btinternet.com
I have a passion for all things floral, having worked as a freelance florist for many years, in 1997 I converted this passion into a GNVQ in floristry, followed by a Diploma in NAFAS Floral Art and Design.
I passed the Area demonstrators test in May 2016, I am now delighted to be sharing my passion with members across the county.
Contact: hellenhare@btinternet.com
Ellouise Hasler-Stott - Area Demonstrator
Ellouise is a Floral Designer who runs her own business. Ellouise loves to compete and is the proud owner of many awards including a prestigious Chelsea Gold Medal and the RHS Best in Show Title for Young Chelsea Florist of the Year for 2018. Ellouise has been demonstrating since 2016, with one of her proudest moments passing her NAFAS area test. She enjoys showing new techniques mixing them with ways to recreate lavish designs with product to create designs to make each individual stand out!
Contact: info@flowersbyeg.co.uk or visit her website www.flowersbyeg.com
Ellouise is a Floral Designer who runs her own business. Ellouise loves to compete and is the proud owner of many awards including a prestigious Chelsea Gold Medal and the RHS Best in Show Title for Young Chelsea Florist of the Year for 2018. Ellouise has been demonstrating since 2016, with one of her proudest moments passing her NAFAS area test. She enjoys showing new techniques mixing them with ways to recreate lavish designs with product to create designs to make each individual stand out!
Contact: info@flowersbyeg.co.uk or visit her website www.flowersbyeg.com
Mig Kimpton - Area Demonstrator
Mig Kimpton is a floral designer and florist with over 25 years of experience. His creativity and passion for flowers is equal to his infectious enthusiasm and engaging approach, as evidenced in his regular sell-out floral demonstrations performed around the UK. As an award-winning designer, achieving thirteen prestigious medals over the years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, his reputation is world-renowned.
Contact: mig@migkimpton.com
Mig Kimpton is a floral designer and florist with over 25 years of experience. His creativity and passion for flowers is equal to his infectious enthusiasm and engaging approach, as evidenced in his regular sell-out floral demonstrations performed around the UK. As an award-winning designer, achieving thirteen prestigious medals over the years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, his reputation is world-renowned.
Contact: mig@migkimpton.com
Jenny Nye - Area Demonstrator
Jenny Nye's passion for working with flowers and foliage led to a three year City and Guilds' course in Flower Arranging; flower club membership and involvement with NAFAS. A floristry course followed soon after. Then after training she was delighted to become an Area Demonstrator and share her passion with flower club members around Kent, Sussex and Surrey and sometimes further afield.
Contact: jennynyeflowers@talktalk.net
Jenny Nye's passion for working with flowers and foliage led to a three year City and Guilds' course in Flower Arranging; flower club membership and involvement with NAFAS. A floristry course followed soon after. Then after training she was delighted to become an Area Demonstrator and share her passion with flower club members around Kent, Sussex and Surrey and sometimes further afield.
Contact: jennynyeflowers@talktalk.net
Iris Shaw - Area Demonstrator
I have been a Demonstrator now for several years after qualifying in 2013. I have visited many clubs in Kent some in Sussex, and in the London and Overseas Area. I have been invited back to some clubs so I am on my next series of Demonstrations. The first was 'Facets of My Life' and the second is 'Life in France'.
Contact: irisfay47@tiscali.co.uk
I have been a Demonstrator now for several years after qualifying in 2013. I have visited many clubs in Kent some in Sussex, and in the London and Overseas Area. I have been invited back to some clubs so I am on my next series of Demonstrations. The first was 'Facets of My Life' and the second is 'Life in France'.
Contact: irisfay47@tiscali.co.uk
Susan Shaw - Area Demonstrator
Sue is an Area Judge, Area Demonstrator and a National Speaker. She qualified as a Demonstrator in the North Midlands Area of NAFAS in 2004. Sue enjoys visiting clubs all over the South East to share her passion for flowers and colour.
Contact: sueshawflowers@btinternet.com
Sue is an Area Judge, Area Demonstrator and a National Speaker. She qualified as a Demonstrator in the North Midlands Area of NAFAS in 2004. Sue enjoys visiting clubs all over the South East to share her passion for flowers and colour.
Contact: sueshawflowers@btinternet.com
Gill Smaggasgale - Area Demonstrator
I joined a flower club as I thought it would be a relaxing hobby. I soon joined the committee, became a member of a Contemporary Design Group and became a keen competitor. I guess I was just bitten by the bug. I have made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun and wanting to share my passion, I decided to try the Area demonstrator's test. So much for relaxation! I love demonstrating and entertaining the audience. I look forward to meeting many of you in the future. Gill is also a judge. Contact: gillsmaggasgale@yahoo.co.uk
I joined a flower club as I thought it would be a relaxing hobby. I soon joined the committee, became a member of a Contemporary Design Group and became a keen competitor. I guess I was just bitten by the bug. I have made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun and wanting to share my passion, I decided to try the Area demonstrator's test. So much for relaxation! I love demonstrating and entertaining the audience. I look forward to meeting many of you in the future. Gill is also a judge. Contact: gillsmaggasgale@yahoo.co.uk
Sue Thompson - Area Demonstrator
Having been an active member of Paddock Wood Flower Club for a number of years and gradually learning more about flower arranging through classes, courses at Hadlow College as well as participating in workshops run by the Kent Area I decided to “step up” to train as an Area Demonstrator and passed my test in July 2013. I like to use foliage from the garden and seasonal flowers, where possible, in my designs and I enjoy meeting the members of flower clubs which I am fortunate to visit through my demonstrating. I continue to be an active member of Paddock Wood Flower Club and belong to a Contemporary Design Group. In November 2018 I took on the role of Demonstrators’ Representative for Kent Area. Contact: sue.thompson55@btinternet.com
Having been an active member of Paddock Wood Flower Club for a number of years and gradually learning more about flower arranging through classes, courses at Hadlow College as well as participating in workshops run by the Kent Area I decided to “step up” to train as an Area Demonstrator and passed my test in July 2013. I like to use foliage from the garden and seasonal flowers, where possible, in my designs and I enjoy meeting the members of flower clubs which I am fortunate to visit through my demonstrating. I continue to be an active member of Paddock Wood Flower Club and belong to a Contemporary Design Group. In November 2018 I took on the role of Demonstrators’ Representative for Kent Area. Contact: sue.thompson55@btinternet.com
Robin White - Area Demonstrator
I have been a florist since 1981, been on the Horticultural team for the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows gaining many Gold Medals I am a keen gardener and competitor at Area and National Shows and am delighted to have been awarded "Designer of the Year" at the National Show 2019.
Contact: 01795 533157 robinwhite1954@talktalk.net
I have been a florist since 1981, been on the Horticultural team for the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows gaining many Gold Medals I am a keen gardener and competitor at Area and National Shows and am delighted to have been awarded "Designer of the Year" at the National Show 2019.
Contact: 01795 533157 robinwhite1954@talktalk.net