Radio Fame

It was wonderful to re-start our Sunday markets last week and lovely to welcome new stallholders. Jenny, a first time trader, had requested a Good Luck shout out from Graham Norton on his Radio 2 show that morning and a listener came down to visit us, not sure how we’ll be able to top that for next month’s market. Talking of the power of media, The Flower Bank will be featured on Radio 4’s Sunday programme shortly. Last week at the RHS Chelsea Flower show, Shane Connolly, florist to the stars, said traditional floral displays in our places of worship should be ditched, favouring more sustainable alternatives, like ‘brown bouquets’. Long time friend Olive and a supporter of The Flower Bank just so happened to be a Producer on this programme, so she asked me to help her out with content. I found 2 brides, Amanda and Etornam (see photo) and Gail, a church flower arranger from St Mary’s, East Barnet, who were willing to chat about their ethical floral choices. Gail was last featured on Good Morning USA 20 or so years ago, and technology being what it is had roped her next-door neighbour in to help with her recording, she told me - I’m grateful to them all for being such good sports. I’m starting to think about flower bombing again for World Mental Health Day, which is fast approaching (Sunday 10 October). Like last year I’d like to flower bomb and get people to leave bunches of flowers on benches for people to find all over the UK. Still, I’ve also joined forces with The Flower Bank’s Finnish equivalent Flower Rescue who will flower bomb in and around Helsinki, and I’m hoping that Petals with a Purpose from Hawaii will be able to join in, too - I’ll keep you all posted. Meanwhile, petrol frenzy reached new heights over the weekend and consequently, I’ll be playing the game of Petrol roulette on my collections tomorrow morning. Have a great week. Ursula