Latest News
The Summer 2026 edition of Spotlight East has been published. This edition is full of the joys of Summer with some great content from our Clubs. It features many special events, celebrations and workshops. It also gives some insight on how this Summer is calling out for rain. It has certainly been a hot, humid one in many places this year. A bumper issue not to be missed and one I hope you enjoy. Click the image to view a pdf document to download, view, save and print.
Lindi Carrington, Editor Spotlight East
RHS Sandringham - 22-26th July
A colourful Photo Album of members' visits to the RHS Sandringham Show has been created and is now LIVE. Click on the image to take you to the website Gallery.
Grateful thanks go to Josie, Wendy and Geoff Harman from Werrington & District Flower Club, Julie Woods from Cambridge Group, Gill Shanks from King's Lynn Group, Sandra Carman and Helen Evans, Dereham & District Flower Club, Lois Prior and Leoni Braz from Herts & Essex Boundary Flower Club, Julie Head from Stowmarket Club, Dan's Plants in the Floral Marquee, EDP24 and RHS Sandringham.
If anybody else has some photos of the Show to share, please email them to our Media Representative, Helen Evans, on
media.nafaseast.he@gmail.com
WAFA elimination for the UK Honorary Exhibit
Jenni Baker from the Norwich Group of flower clubs took part in the WAFA elimination for the Honorary Exhibit to be staged in Sydney next year. The floral designs for 'Land of My Fathers' made the exhibition a wonderful showcase of creativity, skill and passion. The winner was Dianne Faunch from Flowers North West Area.
Jenni did the East of England Area proud. Here's a message from her..
"I would like to thank the East of England area for the opportunity to represent the area at the WAFA elimination on Thursday.
On a very hot day we travelled to Warwickshire. Packing the flowers was a nightmare as many of them were native species, so each lot had to be wrapped in wet tissue and then bagged, this in itself took more than two hours.
We found the venue easily, thank you google maps! Ready to start at the allotted time.
There were 13 areas represented in total, and just one got the opportunity to represent NAFAS at the next WAFA show in Sydney next year.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and the other contestants were really very friendly.
Sorry area, I will not be flying the flag for NAFAS EAST in Australia! The photographer from the Flower Arranger was there so you will have the chance to see some of the other designs."
Two-day JDS&E trip to RHS Wisley and Winchester Cathedral for the WILD! Flower and Nature Festival.
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This September, Winchester Cathedral will be transformed into an extraordinary floral landscape, filled with breath-taking installations, colour, scent, and creativity at every turn. There will be Workshops and Talks, Floral Installations and Live Performances.
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The Festival is an unforgettable fusion of flowers, history and architecture – see one of England’s most iconic Cathedrals brought to life in full bloom.
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Click on the images for a poster and a booking form that you can view, print and save. Gather your friends and flowery colleagues for a great treat.
Email from Richard Abraham, CEO NAFAS. Click on the image to view, print or save.
To view the latest 'Agreed Renewal Programme' leaflet, click on the image to view, print or save.
Gloria Goodley, Chairman of East of England Area of NAFAS receives a Fellowship Award.
Many congratulations to Gloria for receiving the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) Certificate of Fellowship 2026 for outstanding contribution to the Royal Norfolk Show over many years. Gloria has been instrumental in educating and developing floral art at the Show.
Well done Gloria, well-deserved recognition.
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Brenda Leeman from the Holbrook & District Flower Club in East Suffolk. Brenda was an Area Demonstrator, a former member of the JDS&E Committee as well as serving on the Educational Association as Chairman. She was East Suffolk Group Chairman and on the organising committee for the Area Flower Festival 'Anchors Away' when Janet Elmy was Area Chairman. Brenda had a fabulous garden and shared her foliage with anyone who asked, particularly Alan Smith. Alan once won 'Best use of garden plant material' at a National Show using material from Brenda's garden.
Pat Stammers was a close friend and is doing the flowers for Brenda's casket and also doing a reading at the funeral, which is taking place on Monday 20th July, 1.00 pm at Freston Church in Suffolk, IP9 1AH.
Paying tribute to Brenda, Giovanna Roberts, East Suffolk Group Chairman said: "Such a lovely lady, it was a privilege to have known her. Brenda was always helpful and ready to share her flower arranging knowledge and containers with new arrangers."
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Ely Cathedral Flower Festival - June 2026 - The World in Bloom
Members of NAFAS created magnificent floral displays in Ely Cathedral as part of the weekend's Home and Garden Show.
Clubs taking part in the Lady Chapel included Burwell & District, Cambridge, City of Ely, Littleport, Stowmarket and Wisbech. Ely Cathedral Flower Guild also featured exhibits elsewhere in the Cathedral.
Click on the image to take you to the Gallery to view, print and save photos.
NAFAS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Click on the image to load up the pdf document to view, print or save
Here is the latest summer news from Chairman, Gloria Goodley.
Click on the image to load up the pdf document to view, print or save.
Click on the image above to view, print and save the pdf document.
MESSAGE FROM RICHARD ABRAHAM, CEO
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With the Renewal Programme agreed, an updated trifold leaflet has been produced.
The front remains the cartoon version of me along with the 'Renewal Flower'. The inside pages now are the 'what you need to know' covered in three sections:
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Outline of the Renewal Programme with the four interrelated and interdependent parts.
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A summary of what will happen in each of the three years - laying that out as well as managing expectations - Rome was not built in one day!
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The direct benefits we hope to generate for members and for clubs as a result of the Renewal Programme.
Please cascade to your clubs and members.
Many thanks for your support.
​Richard Abraham
Chief Executive Officer
NAFAS
The latest Area News Bulletin has been published. Click on the image to upload a pdf document to view, read and save.
Richard Abraham's (NAFAS new CEO) Renewal Programme leaflet is also available to view, read and save.
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Upcoming Speakers Course announced with an introduction day to be held beforehand. For more information, contact Rachael on rjbarnard80@gmail.com. Click on the image to view, print and save.
Area Key Dates and Events
The list of the key dates for 2026 has been updated
@ 3rd March 2026. Click on the image to upload a pdf document to view, print and save. It's also available at Area events.
Any queries, please email Helen Evans, the Area Media Representative at 'media.nafaseast.he@gmail.com'.
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Here's a 'Save the date' poster for the National Show in 2027. Tickets go on sale in September 2026. Click on the image to upload a pdf document to view, print and save.
NAFAS HQ has published its latest Newsletter. Click on the image to view, print or save.
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If you'd like the Newsletter emailed direct to your inbox every month, you can request this via the main NAFAS site here.
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Click on the image to download the Board statement to view, print or save.
Board statement and FAQs from NAFAS HQ
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Following these updates being circulated to Clubs, please also find copies of them here. These are the latest updates from the NAFAS Board of Trustees about the proposed changes to how NAFAS will work in the future. All the feedback and views passed to the Board by Area Chairmen and Clubs have been taken on board and the response to these will form part of a 'Renewal Programme'. This is being put in place to deal with the changing landscape and challenges facing the NAFAS organisation now and in the short and medium term.
Gloria Goodley, the East of England Area Chairman, is keen for members of all Clubs in the Area to have sight of the two documents: a Board statement and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
To allow Gloria to prepare for a meeting with the Trustees and Area Chairmen towards the end of February, please email any questions or comments you have to Gloria or Sue Cooper before 18th February. Alternatively you can use the 'Contact Us' facility on the website.
Breaking news...
The National Advisory Council has announced that in 2027 the National Show is to take place in the North Midlands Area of NAFAS at the Lincolnshire showground.
Andrew Key, Chairman of the North Midlands Area says: "He looks forward to meeting friends from around the country and indeed the world, at this wonderful show. A very warm North Midlands and indeed Lincolnshire welcome awaits everybody."
Click on the image to load up the pdf document to view, print or save.
