A GROUP which was set up by a group of friends with a passion for flowers has celebrated its 50th birthday.

Malton and District Flower Club, which first meet at the Talbot Hotel in June 1965, marked the golden anniversary with a special lunch at the same venue.

Among those present was the only remaining founder member Margaret Wilson, from Welburn, who was made a life member.

Guests also included the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) president Janet Hayton, from York, and both the area president, Tony Cleaver and the area chairman, Sue Spencer. Everyone was welcomed by the club chairman Barbara Adamson and Jan Anderson, the club president, was MC.

Maggie Tate-Smith said the club had been set up by a group of friends at Malton Show who decided that it would be good idea to form a flower club.

“Over the years, the club has been proud to participate in many local flower festivals, including St Mary’s Priory Church in Old Malton, Malton Methodist Church and Castle Howard,” she said.

“Through the year there is a varied programme of professional demonstrations and talks and in addition, twice a year, there are practice classes in which members are encouraged to compete and workshops are held periodically, where new skills can honed.

“In readiness for the festive season, we hold our only evening meeting at Norton College when a special Christmas-themed demonstration takes place, often presented by a national demonstrator or even a television demonstrator. The club is also regularly honoured to provide flower arrangements for York Minster and Malton Hospital.”

To mark the 50th anniversary, members of the club enjoyed a lunch followed by celebratory cake and sparkling wine and a talk by the Reverend Robert Amos.

The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at Old Malton Memorial Hall, except for August and in June when there is an annual outing to places of interest to both gardeners and flower arrangers.

The next meeting is a demonstration by Bob Forbes, My Symphony for Summer, and is on Tuesday, July 21.

New members and visitors are always welcome. For further information, phone Maggie Tate-Smith on 01653 698741.