National Speaker
Valerie Best - Cornwall
Looking back, I was always a Speaker!
At School, I was the pupil asked to read out a poem or take part in a play.
I worked for Harrods and Dickins & Jones in London as a Compere for fashion shows after passing City & Guilds in Public Speaking.
Fast forward to NAFAS: I passed my Area Test in 1989 with a talk about “Unicorns” and my National Test in 1991, talking about a flower arrangers “Box of Delights”.
I reprised my talk on “The Law of the Unicorn” for WAFA Glasgow in 2002.
I went on to qualify as an Adjudicator and Instructor and was Chair of the National Speakers Committee 1996-1998.
I present a number of subjects but most enjoy after lunch/dinner speaking, where I can adjust the subject matter to suit the occasion. Subjects include all aspects of NAFAS, WAFA India and of course, my life in the “Rag Trade”!
Area Speakers ** indicates available at short notice
Julia Harrison ** - Devon
I did three years at Bicton College learning horticulture, I worked as a gardener for several clients including my husband before I married him. I enjoy growing different plants and introducing people to them, challenging them to grow the unusual. Whilst on another stint on the JDS&E committee I did the Speakers training. My talks revolve around plants naturally. Particularly those from the Southern Hemisphere which I am able to grow in my garden.
My title is Down Under