The Flower Show Shuffle

The Flower Show will be in its 42nd year this year. For most of those years the formidable Sylvia Evans was at the helm...running things with a rod of iron and a blood pressure through the roof. Last year Sylvia's niece rolled up her sleeves and helped out literally days after Sylvia's funeral, but she has now left the village, so the flower show is without a Secretary and  as these things tend to happen all together also now without a treasurer.
Last night we had an emergency meeting in Auntie Glad's kitchen.
Emergency scones had been baked for the occasion.
The treasurer position was filled easily enough, but as I suspected no one wanted the much harder and time consuming role of secretary. Sylvia's size 10 sling backs are big shoes to fill.
Anyhow, the upshot of the meeting is that I will now take on the secretary's role, and I have five bags of " Flower  Show" paperwork on the lounge floor to prove it.
42 years of tradition in five bags.
The committee agreed that we would purchase a quality silver trophy as one of the new prizes and it will be named The Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup. We also agreed that we would fund two new benches for the village green. The old ones have been rotting away for a while.
In my first job as Secretary, I have emailed the community council with the offer.
The meeting , finished as it always has done, with half the committee washing up the tea cups and the other half returning auntie Glad's old wooden chairs to the front room.
As always I thanked Gladys for her hospitality
And as always she replied with the same phrase
" don't thank me....thank The Lord"



59 comments:

  1. Sorry I couldn't make it! I love the idea of the Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup, a great way to remember such a lovely lady who put so much into each flower show.

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  2. The minute I read the first two sentences I thought, "He's going to volunteer to be secretary!" Oh John you are the joiner. Good on you, every village needs people who put their hands up to make it work.

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  3. You are worth your weight in gold to that village. Lots of good credit for heaps of dog poo.

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  4. Anonymous10:08 am

    Will it interfere with any of your Samaritan responsibilities? Time needed for this take time away from any rostered shifts?
    But then you know what they say - give a job to a busy man and it will get done!

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    1. Not really... There's a lot of work, but we have a good crew ....everyone mucks in...the hardest thing I will find, is collecting bric a brac for Gladys stall

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  5. i am sure you will be the best replacement they could ever find. how do the slingbacks look on you?

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  6. Well done, John, but I am a bit worried whether you will be able to walk in size 10 sling backs!

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  7. Just knew you would volunteer!
    I'm Secretary of our local Civic Society. it's pretty time consuming. Best tip ...use email. follow up phone calls with email and copy everyone in by email!!! You can always print them out, forward them on, use them as a record and hold people to their promises with them (especially the local authority)
    Good Luck John i reckon you are the best man for the job

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    1. Good advice
      I have just emailed the minutes to the committee

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  8. bless dear auntie glad and her scones! the flower show will be lovely as a tribute to sylvia.

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  9. It is important to keep the local traditions alive, good work!

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  10. sylvia is up their saying ( i know i could depend on you) and wear the shoes with pride can not remember the last time i wore slingbacks blast from the past again arrr

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    1. She'll be making a few celestial lists for me to follow

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  11. I see Albert likes to snoopervise.

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    1. Oh, Deb, I think you just added a new word to my vocabulary!

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  12. Set up a computer program/file and keep all backed up on a small drive....use the paper only when necessary. This will save you heaps of time. Unless, like many, you like the papery type of business at your hands. Any donations needed?

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    1. More good advice...keep it coming x

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    2. I was just going to suggest that!

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  13. Do Sylvia proud.
    Jane x

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  14. Of course you volunteered. We are all cheering you on!

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  15. Somehow I just knew where you were going with that. I doubt there's anyone better at hand to fill those slingbacks! Your meeting sounds so darn charming, between the "emergency scones," and the re-placing of the chairs.

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    Replies
    1. It's usually a bit of a noisy bun fight

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  16. I am sure John that you could and will squeeze into those size 10 slingbacks! Do it for Sylvia for Pete's sake!.....and us of course!
    Mr.Secretary, you will do a great job for the next 42 years.

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  17. John to the rescue!

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  18. Sounds like an exciting new venture for you! Flower show sounds super fun, I don't think we have those around here.

    xo

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  19. Just be careful you're not spreading yourself too thinly. Remember, the animals come first!

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  20. There's no more thankless job than that of a secretary, John. I have been there, done that, worn the secretary T shirt. Wish we had a community like yours. Good luck with your new role.

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    1. I can feel my blood pressure rising already

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  21. I am a new follower from Alabama. Messed up your #'s sorry ;) As for your new job have fun and don't get crazy. Remember flowers are about joy not head aches. Have a lovely day. Your new fan Mary.

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    1. Welcome Mary
      Did you know I have a disabled rabbit called Mary x

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  22. Sounds like you have some large shoes to fill. Good luck, I am sure you will do amazing. What a lovely idea to have the Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup.

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  23. I am sure they knew you would do it. The committee needs some youthful blood and until all those under 50 get off their phones and look around, it is left to John the Younger (than 80).

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  24. Hurrah, the perfect man for the job. Have you been to see 'Priscilla' yet?

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  25. I think you will make a grand secretary, you have natural organizing skills, especially when it involves the village affairs.
    Sylvia Evans Memorial Cup, what a beautiful tribute.
    ~Jo

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  26. How will you find the time!!

    But they always say it's the busiest folk that can fit the most into their days. Good luck in your new role, I hope arrangements run smoothly for your first show 'in charge'.

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  27. At some point in the future, you may decide you no longer want to do the job until you die; may I suggest co-secretaries or an under-secretary? The latter is with the understanding that after a set number of years the under-secretary takes over, and a new under-secretary is found. A sort of groom-to-lead program.

    But for now, enjoy - yes, enjoy! There is satisfaction to be found in stepping up and doing a good job, and it strengthens community bonds if it's done right, and I think you will do it right.

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    1. Heulwen is my under sec.... She knows the job backwards

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    2. Hah - all that bloody lecturing for nothing :)

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  28. I am sure you will fit Sylvia's size 10 slingbacks nicely John. Don't work yourself into the ground. x

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  29. I am not in the slightest bit surprised that you decided to put on Silvia's sling backs. Wear them in style, and do her proud.

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  30. Aunty Glad always makes my day a little bit brighter.

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  31. That sudden influx of ALL the records ... aargh. And your house is so tiny! At least you've still got a functioning committee. Love the idea of the memorial cup and the new benches.

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    1. I think we may also make a donation to the village flower beds

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  32. We knew it would be you. Just pretend all those little papers are patients and they'll be sorted in no time.

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  33. Does Bunty live close by? She could shout everyone in to line and get everything organised.

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    1. My first thought when I started reading this post :)

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  34. Congratulations on your upcoming 'joining.'
    My guess is that the flower show is safe for many more years.
    I visit here at least once a day. Is my nose being counted? or is there something special I need to do?

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  35. You do have some big shoes to fill. Be sure to take photos of the trophy, the flowers, and the benches--both sets, old and new.

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