Here we take a look at nafas history
Flower arranging clubs and societies joined together in 1959 and formed the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) with help and advice from the Royal Horticultural Society. The Association has been a unifying and guiding influence to thousands of men, women and juniors whose love of flowers has opened up a new world of creativity.
Within the United Kingdom there are 21 Areas, each autonomous with its own Area Chair and Committee. Each Area is affiliated to the parent Association and each Area Chair attends a National Council four times a year, usually in London when policy and other NAFAS matters are discussed.
The Chair and two Vice Chair of the National Association are elected by the 21 Area Chairs as are the 6 Trustees of the Charity. The Trustees are responsible for policy and the financial management of NAFAS.
NAFAS Headquarters is at Osborne House, Devonshire Square in the City of London where there is a small staff responsible for the day to day running of the Association.
Within NAFAS there are demonstrators, judges, speakers and teachers of flower arranging and each has its own Standing Committee.
There are also Standing Committees to oversee other work of the Association and these Committees meet regularly at Osborne House.
In 1984 NAFAS was granted charity status in recognition of its educational aims and activities.
With about 72,000 members NAFAS ranks amongst the most notable specialist National Associations in the UK.
Areas and Clubs
Each of the 21 Areas within the UK is organised on similar lines to the parent association and arranges their own events such as educational facilities, flower festivals, demonstrations and training for Area judges, demonstrators and speakers.
Within each Area there are clubs which again are responsible for their own organisation. The clubs usually meet monthly when there might be a flower arranging demonstration, talk, workshop, competition or other social event. Clubs often organise flower festivals and garden visits for their members. Some clubs have facilities for junior members.
Most Areas have one club which specialises in contemporary flower arranging and frequently invites teachers and demonstrators from overseas.
Individual Membership
There are many people who for various reasons are unable to join a flower club but who are, nevertheless, interested in floral design. For them, by becoming an individual affiliated member, they may enjoy the benefits of NAFAS. The annual subscription includes four issues of The Flower Arranger magazine, two newsletters, details of National events and educational courses. Information may be found on the NAFAS website or by ringing NAFAS Headquarters.
Around the country
Around the country the skills of NAFAS members may be seen, whether in church, cathedral, hospital, hospice, stately home or horticultural show. Flowers are regularly arranged in Westminster Abbey and a Gold Medal at Chelsea was first awarded to NAFAS in 1975. NAFAS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and regularly exhibits at their shows. An annual show and competition is held at venues across the UK which is open to the public.
Around the World
NAFAS is affiliated to the World Association of Flower Arrangement Societies which holds a triennial show in different parts of the world.
Education
Since its inception NAFAS has had teachers who have taught flower arranging skills at National, Area and Club events. NAFAS is now a ‘hub provider’ of educational courses and as such is able to offer teachers recognition for locally run courses where these are not provided by the Local Education Authority. NAFAS also runs the NAFAS Course in Floral Art & Design and the NAFAS Home Study Course. Three times a year the educational journal Insight is published which is available by subscription and details may be found on
the NAFAS website.
The Flower Arranger Magazine
The Flower Arranger is a superb, full colour quarterly magazine available from High Street newsagents, on order from flower clubs or by direct subscription. The experienced flower arranger and the complete novice will find much of interest in this exciting specialist magazine; learn how to arrange flowers in the step-by-step instructions, enjoy up-to-date trends and designs and much, much, more. Brighten a dull day with articles which encourage a love of gardens, gardening and the conservation of plants and flowers. Subscribe direct on the NAFAS website.
Online Shop
A wide range of flower arranging books, calendars, diaries, cards and other stationery as well as delightful sundry gifts are available from the online shop. Browse through the extensive catalogue where orders may be placed for immediate home delivery.
As a Charity
The aims of NAFAS are to advance public education in the art of flower arranging and related subjects; to encourage the love of flowers and to demonstrate their decorative value; to instruct, train and qualify judges, demonstrators, teachers and speakers in order to raise the standard of work throughout the country; to assist worthy causes and charities by organising exhibitions and competitions and to encourage the conservation of rare and endangered species of plants.