AT the October meeting members enjoyed the first visit of Janet James, from Solihull, an articulate, amusing and highly talented lady.

Her title, This Colourful World, gave her a splendid opportunity to create six arrangements using a vast array of striking colour schemes.

The stage was set with the first design, when various textures and shades of green foliage and flowers were used in a large green basket. In complete contrast, a tall stand formed from silvered spathes intertwined with an iridescent fabric, held curled aspidistra leaves, fatsia and beautiful pink Sorbonne lilies, the colour of romance.

Bright yellow was the predominant colour of the third arrangement constructed on a wire mesh screen with sunflowers, lilies and dazzling ribbon against a background of contorted hazel and phormium leaves.

A wrought iron strand held a horizontal design of twisted vine balance by dried cordyline leaves with eleagnus white-edged host leaves, fern and white longiflorum lilies signifying serenity and purity.

Vibrant red, the colour of passion, excitement, fire and danger made an exotic arrangement in a tall conical container. A fan of palm leaves formed the centre from which spread bright red gerbera and carnations and dark red roses, Crimson Damask, with harts tongue fern and aspidistra leaves.

The final design, on a huge, heavy wooden pedestal, represented a garden with its many different colours and shades of the spectrum. The flowing lines of the bronze stephanandra tanakae contrasted with garden privet and the large reddish-purple bergenia leaves and the dull green of physocarpus, a wonderful array of differing forms and textures.

Hydrangea in the fading shades of autumn, leycesteria formosa with its large claret-coloured bracts, bronze chrysanthemums, apricot roses, yellow lilies and cream carnations made a splendid closing design enhanced by a second placement at the foot of the pedestal.

The imaginative and very clever use of colour together with the expertise of the demonstrator made this a very enjoyable evening.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, at 7.30pm, when there will be a Christmas demonstration by Tom Hodge, of Southport, entitled The Magic of Christmas. This is for members only. PAW.