Meet the Executive Team
Judith Woollven – Area President
Little did I think after doing a night school course in the seventies that it would lead to four spells on the Executive Committee.
I was persuaded to join Exeter Flower Club committee, later becoming Chairman, when Exeter Flower Club closed I joined Topsham Flower Club joining the committee as Programme Secretary and then Chairperson.
I have recently finished a spell on Executive again and now Minutes Secretary ship awaits. I will be retiring in 3 years time you will be pleased to know.
I have made a terrific number of flowery friends not only from our Area but nationwide. So the answer is get involved you never know where this might lead and the enjoyment and fulfilment you can get from your Flower Arranging so called hobby.
Carol Yeo - Area Chairman
Carol has been an Executive Member of the Area since 2016 and joined the committee to take on the role of Minutes Secretary. This role has increased her knowledge of NAFAS and enabled her to make many friends from across to the two counties of Devon & Cornwall. Carol is now looking forward to taking on the role of Vice Chairman and all that this may entail. She is also secretary of Topsham Flower Club, a post she has held for the last five years. Between 2005 and 2007, she attended Bicton College in East Devon and gained her Stage 2 in Floristry Design. Carol loves producing large scale designs and is privileged to be one the Exeter Cathedral Flower Arrangers – what an amazing building this is to be working in with. When not working on all things flowers related, Carol is happy spending time with her family and young grandsons, enjoying time with her NAFAS friends who always find something interesting to do or just relaxing by walking the North Devon beaches – she can often be found on Instow beach either chasing after one of her young grandsons or her son’s dog, Bramble.
Gill Casey - Secretary
Gill is a member of Launceston Floral Art Group and has been a member of NAFAS since about 1985, which she joined in Hong Kong. She is past Club chairman of Hong Kong and Launceston, past Area Chairman, past Area President, past JDS&E Chairman, present JDS&E secretary, past Newsletter editor, past Area Media Officer and past National Media Officer.
Rose Joynes - Area Vice Chairman
Having retired from 34 years of teaching in 2004, I needed a hobby. (I had little spare time before!) I was encouraged to join Camborne-Redruth Floral club and a few years later I was invited to join the committee. I took on the role of chairman in 2013 for 4 years and took up the role again in 2018, following my role as secretary. I am currently also programme secretary. I enjoy being involved in workshops and demonstrations. I have run workshops for members of my own club; with another member of the club, I have also been involved in delivering workshops for the W.I. in Cornwall and doing demonstrations to local floral clubs. I was also privileged to be invited to judge the children’s section at Stithians agricultural show for 2 consecutive years and I have also judged the floral art at 2 local shows.
Linda McGannity - Area Vice President
I have been a member of NAFAS for over 40 years. It is an immense honour and privilege to be our Area Vice President, a position I will try to support Judith Woollven wherever I can. I was originally a member of Liskeard Floral Club, now Camborne-Redruth since Newquay Club closed. I was also a member of Poole and Parkstone in Dorset where I passed my Area Demonstrator’s test, and attended college and gained City and Guilds qualifications. I went on to teaching students including City and Guilds. I have always enjoyed arranging flowers in religious settings including Westminster Abbey and I am now the Leader of Truro Cathedral Flower Guild, a position I am honoured to hold. I am on various committees here and in the past in Dorset. I attend meetings at Osborne House for the Teachers, and St Botolph’s Church in London for Area Chairmen. Supporting Club, Area, and National events is a special joy and formed many friendships over the years. What a fabulous hobby – thank you to you all.
Carol Maden -Treasurer
My initial interest in flowers started with gardening – I have a third of an acre that requires quite a lot of work. This interest was then followed by a course at Bicton College in Flower arranging and Floral Art. I have been a member of a flower club for many years and initially this was with Crediton Flower Club followed by my current membership of Topsham Flower Club. Here I have held the roles of Programme Secretary, assistant treasurer and am now Membership Secretary.
I have been involved with two Area Shows – the first at Haldon Racecourse and the second at Tiverton. I have had entries at the Devon County Show and continue to enjoy all aspects of floral art. I have been on the committee for the residential course previously held at Brunel Manor and continue now as Chair of the committee organising the next course for 2022.
Heather Braunton -Assistant Treasurer
I am a retired Veterinary Nurse; I loved my career, especially dealing with animals such as a Rhino with a damaged horn, a white tiger cub which I fed with a bottle. Snakes, Monkeys and Vets
I took up flower arranging when I retired 4years ago and it’s taken over my life! Making loads of like minded friends and giving me a chance to be creative
Sarah Parker - Area 2nd Vice Chairman
I started my flower journey more than 30 years ago at a night class in the village we lived in at that time, that led to me helping to set up a flower club in the village, Cheddington which is a part of the Home Counties Area. When we moved to North Devon I joined Atlantic Flower Club and was soon on the committee, I am currently their Chairman, a position I have held before. As well as flower arranging enjoy crafting especially cross stitch and spending time with our family both here in the UK and The States. My husband and I are both members of a car club and enjoy travelling, music and the theatre
Alison Penno
With thanks to my Mum I was introduced to the world of floral design at a very early age. Having grown up with flowers it was inevitable I would choose floristry as a career and also join the NAFAS family. I am a member of Links Designer Club, where I have been involved on the committee and also chaired.
Being a member of NAFAS has brought so many opportunities to me, the most memorable were exhibiting, at Flowers at Oxford and RHS Chelsea, winning silver gilt medals on two occasions. Working in a team for the Devon & Cornwall area and competing in the Florist of the Year.
In 2015 I passed the area test, this has resulted in me visiting many clubs in the area. I have also demonstrated in Ireland and Portugal. In 2021 I went on to pass the National Demonstrators Test.
Jackie Harrison
I have been a member of Launceston Floral Art Group since 1998. I joined just after I started working for Pat and Alison Penno - it was almost a given that I wouldn’t be allowed to be 'just a delivery driver'. I have held various officer roles within Launceston Club and am, at present, Chairman. I joined the Executive to broaden my knowledge of NAFAS and hopefully, contribute to enable the organisation to continue and grow.
Janet Crossman
I am delighted to have been elected to serve on the executive committee once again.
I am a member of Launceston floral art group.have bee chairman three times.programme secretary 17yrs to date.
A member of the residential course committee many times
A member of the creative leisure group committee
A doer rather than a speaker.l love to be lnvolved
I look forward to working on the executive committee and all the area officers.
Joan Melville
I have been a member of Plymouth Flower Club since 2008 later taking on the role of Chairman on two occasions. I am at present Vice Chairman.
I look forward to working on the executive committee.