Demonstrators' Profiles

Derek Armstrong originally trained as a chef, but has been a florist, trading in Carlisle, for over 30 years.  He has been a member of Interflora for the majority of that time.  He lives in the nearby town of Penrith, on the end of the Lake District, still enjoying the challenges that flowers bring to a very busy schedule.

He currently serves as Chairman of the National Demonstrators' Committee of NAFAS.  As a Committee, organising Tests and qualifications for potential demonstrators within this organisation, also providing help and support for all National events like the Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Festivals in Cathedrals like Westminster, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Lichfield and Coventry, to name but a few.

He has worked in Japan, USA, Ireland and all over the UK.  Derek was one of the honoured demonstrators at the WAFA (World Association of Flower Arrangers) Show in Glasgow in 2002.

Also working with BBC and ITV on documentaries and period dramas, for example The Lady in Black, The Lakes by Jimmy McGovern and The History of Food.  He was also part of the Interflora team that presented the Road Shows in 2003 with an open air concert at Knebworth for 15,000 people.

He still plays a very active part in the floral industry, assisting with photographic work, consultancy work for various companies and creating several events throughout the country for weddings and other special occasions.

Jonathan is a member of both the North East and North Midlands Areas of NAFAS and passed his National Demonstrators' Test in 1999 and is Vice Chairman of the National Demonastrators' Committee.  He works as a professional florist and travels extensively presenting demonstrations and workshops around the country and abroad on both traditional and contemporary styles of floral design.  Garden plant materials is his passion and he is respected for his large scale experimental designs and his friendly and enthusiastic approach to demonstrating.

Tan has loved flowers from an early age and now really delights in her work as a National Demonstrator showing that affection and enthusiasm for all flowers and garden plants.

She lives in the Chiltern Hills just to the west of London so is ideally placed to travel to all areas throughout the UK and abroad.  She loves competitive work and has entered many RHS and National Shows including the Chelsea Flower Show.  She has had the honour of performing at the NAFAS Members' Assembly in Jersey and has promoted NAFAS by demonstrating at the Chelsea Flower Show on three occasions.

She is also an Area Judge, an Area Speaker and a Teacher who runs classes and workshops.

Since qualifying as a National Demonstrator in 1988 Janet has demonstrated in all 21 Areas of NAFAS undertaking many Area events and also demonstrating at the NAFAS Assembly in Durham.  She was honoured with performing one of the demonstrations at the National Show in Bournemouth in 2005.

Competitive work has always been a very important part of Janet's flower arranging year, particularly at the NAFAS National Show where she has twice been Runner Up to Best in Show.  She was particularly proud to be part of the South Midlands Area team in 2001 when they won a Gold Medal on behalf of NAFAS at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Janet includes a variety of styles in her demonstrations often on a large scale, using garden plant material wherever possible.

She is also a Demonstrators' Adjudicator and Instructor and a National Judge.

Mary has been a National Demonstrator since 2000 and is an Area Judge and Teacher in the South West Area of NAFAS.  She finds taking practice classes within Portishead Floral Art Society particularly rewarding.  Mary enjoys competition work, especially at the NAFAS National Show where she has been lucky enough to obtain several first prizes.

She has had a lifelong love of flowers and foliage as both a designer and a gardener.  Mary has served on Club, Area and National Committees, but her greatest pleasure is demonstrating and bringing joy of Floral Art to others.

From an early age Susan had connections with flowers and gardening through her parents' membership of the local horticultural society.  Attending meetings of the 'Floral Art Section' with her mother gave Susan the aspiration to be a demonstrator for NAFAS.

Demonstrating is her first love and she has greatly enjoyed the opportunity to travel to other parts of the UK and abroad.  Living close to the M25 giving easy access to the motorway network across the UK travelling is not a problem, in fact Susan enjoys the chance to visit other scenic areas of the country and to meet like minded NAFAS members.

As a member of the London & Overseas Area of which she is a Past Chairman and Vice President, Susan has been involved in all aspects of Area and Committee work.

Second to demonstrating is the love of competitive work with gold medals at both Chelsea and Hampton Court and a NAFAS Gold Ribbon for gaining three first prizes at consecutive Shows.  She has hardly missed the chance to compete and only missed the 2003 National Show at Bournemouth because she was the demonstrator presenting 'Golden Ripples Across the Pond' at the Pavilion Theatre.  Susan gained her first NAFAS gold spoon at 'London Pride' in 1976 and has not lost her winning streak because 30 years on she added to her collection of gold spoons with first prize at Telford National Show 2006.

Currently working part-time doing floristry and contract design work and by combiining the commercial/retail side of flower design with current trends in NAFAS gives a very wide base of experience in all fields.  Susan's presentations give a mix of traditional and contemporary designs and whether arranging for home or a special occasion it should all be 'stress free' and most importantly, an element of fun.

Lesley is a florist by trade.  In the early 1990's she joined NAFAS as an Area Demonstrator in the North West Area and is now a National Demonstrator travelling up and down the country and working abroad.

The love of her work has led her to taking part in Area fundraising demonstrations, flower festivals and displays for TV, but the most pleasurable side of her profession is demonstrating and entertaining the audience, none more so than being one of the demonstrators at the NAFAS Members' Assembly at York in 2006.

Jayne has been a member of NAFAS since 1997.  She enjoys travelling to give workshops and demonstrations all over the UK.  She is a Teacher and Demonstrator and passed her National Demonstrators' Test in 2007.  She is Chairman of Centrix Contemporary Design Group in the South Midlands Area.

Jayne has always been an artist and many of her designs continue to take their inspiration from decorative modern art.  She enjoys competitions and her use of colour has caught the judges' eye on many occasions.  Her exhibit at the National Show Telford in 2006 was awarded the 'NAFAS Colour Trophy and the 'WAFA Award'.

Her demonstration titles are : 'Threaded with Beauty'; 'Raindrops on Roses' and 'Spirit of Christmas'.