We have been advised that the Kent County Show 2020 has been cancelled.  We look forward to planning a fabulous competition for 2021 when we are back to normal.

The Kent Area workshop scheduled for 21st April with Myra Lester has been cancelled in the light of the coronavirus situation.  It is hoped that Myra will come back to us next year.  

Due to the coronavirus situation it has become necessary to postpone the remaining three of Avril's Show Work Course (ie those scheduled for 18th & 25th March and 1st April), until later in the year.  We will set dates when the current situation passes.

In light of the advice received from NAFAS HQ it has been decided to cancel our April Council Meeting and the Programme Secretaries Meeting.

​Please could you inform your delegates and your programme secretary.

From the NAFAS Board of Directors:
 
“When a demonstration is cancelled at short notice, it is hoped that clubs will reimburse in good faith the demonstrator for money already expended on flowers etc. as per the contractual obligations of the Blue Form.
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NAFAS asks that Clubs and Demonstrators communicate over any cancellation, and come to an agreement over any payment. We would hope that only out of pocket expenses would be claimed. Perhaps Clubs could put the cancelled presenter to the top of the list when they do the next Club programme. Those who are self-employed will find it hard, but we must balance that against health, sense and making the most of the difficult times we are experiencing.”

Following on from our notification of yesterday we have received further advice from HQ which advises cancelling all meetings scheduled for April and giving careful consideration to those planned between now and the end of March.

The final decision for your clubs is for your club committee to take bearing in mind your local circumstances but please bear in mind the risks to our more elderly members.

As reported yesterday, the insurance does not cover cancellations.  So if you do decide to cancel, let your demonstrator/speaker/teacher know as soon as possible.  If a meeting is cancelled at short notice, do remember that you will be liable for the cost of the flowers if the demonstrator has already purchased them or is committed to take them from their wholesaler.

In the light of the advice we have received from HQ and the current situation we have reluctantly had to cancel JDSE&P day.  We will be contacting clubs individually to arrange for refunds of the ticket money and to arrange the distribution of the Kent News.

If you have any concerns and would like to discuss this please contact Gill Smaggasgale – Vice Chairman (gillsmaggasgale@yahoo.co.uk – 01732 760552) 

In connection with the coronavirus we have received advice from HQ which follows the government advice of handwashing, handshaking etc.  Your Executive and JDSE&P committee are very aware of the need to ensure your safety in all respects.  We are monitoring the latest news and advice regarding the corona virus, very closely. We want to avoid disruption but, especially given the number of senior members of the area, we need to take sensible precautions.  At the moment the scientists appear to be saying that for the "healthy" the risk is low providing we follow their advice.
Currently it is intended that JDSE&P Day will proceed.  However, if the government advises against gatherings we will have to cancel.  This information will be circulated by emails to the address the Genista Spencer holds and will be posted in the news section of the website kentfloralart.co.uk and on Facebook so do keep checking these. 

However, we need to consider how we each may put others at risk.  If you have any doubt about coughing or feeling unwell then please do not come.  We ask that you also consider the advice regarding recent travel or possible contact with an infected person such as a recently returned relative or close friend.  If anyone has returned within the last 14 days from a trip to a country that is in a more advanced state of the epidemic than the UK ( e.g. France, Italy, Germany, not to mention Asia), we ask that you consider everyone’s safety and voluntarily withdraw.

Each club also needs to consider what they do with club meetings.  Clearly if the government advises against gatherings then club meetings will need to cancel but before that it is for each club to make a decision as to whether to proceed in the light of the advice, the vulnerability of their membership and the proximity to cases in their area.  Please note that the insurance does not cover cancellation.  If you are contemplating cancelling, please get in touch with your demonstrator as soon as possible to let them know the position.  Also be mindful that the demonstrator is from a different location and so may wish to self-isolate so again keep in touch with them.  We would suggest that if you are looking at a last minute cancellation you apply the extreme weather guidelines which deal with costs in an analogous situation.  Basically if you cancel late you should expect to pay for the flowers if the demonstrator has had to pay for them.  The full guidelines can be downloaded from https://www.kentfloralart.co.uk/demonstrators.html.

Your Executive will keep monitoring and discussing the evolving situation and keep you fully informed. Stay safe everyone

If you have any concerns and would like to discuss this please contact Gill Smaggasgale – Vice Chairman (gillsmaggasgale@yahoo.co.uk – 01732 760552)

Stay Safe

​Gill

It was fabulous to welcome Neil Bain back to Kent to tutor a fascinating Area Workshop.  A very interesting day was enjoyed by all who attended.  Lots of pictures can be found on the gallery.  

We are delighted to report that Jacqui Arnold has been awarded a second place and Purnima Patel has been awarded a commended at the WAFA show in India.  Well done ladies, we are very proud of you

There a few spaces left on the show work course with Avril Hill which starts on 4th March.  Details and the application form can be found on the Education & Workshops page  ​

Reminder that we have a new venue for Council:
Boughton Under Blean Village Hall
Off Bull Lane
Boughton Under Blean
Faversham ME13 9AH

A new video is available on the NAFAS YouTube Channel on using a pinholder.