Flowers, craft and culinary creativity

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WORDS & PHOTOS / JULIA WADE

Beautiful blooms, delicious cakes, arty craft and crafty art were just a sample of the colourful display at the quintessential Mangawhai Women’s Institute (MWI] recent Annual Floral and Craft Show. 

Filling the Mangawhai Village Library Hall with a fusion of baked aroma and fragrant perfume for the 66th year, the annual show showcased the MWI members’ panache for gardening, baking, photography and creativity including an avocado posing as a Kiwi, rainbow-coloured blooms and lush vegetables.

In her welcoming speech MWI president Marie Fitt thanked loyal sponsors of the event, Mangawhai Ray White, and Wood Street Four Square, who donate a grocery hamper every year. She also paid special acknowledgment to event coordinator, MWI member Adrienne Osman, ‘who took the planning all in her stride’.

“Thank you to all the green-fingered and creative people for their contributions, as I look out I see the hall has come alive with a carpet of colour complimented with a waft of fragrance,” she says. “It is so satisfying to see an animated community truly enjoying this awesome occasion.”

1: Pictured from left, MWI president Marie Fitt, Flower Show coordinator Adrienne Osman, Rosemary Browne and Ray White agent Kay McElwain. Rosemary Browne was overall winner and recipient of the Ray White Award for the second year running. Kay says husband Stewart McElwain and herself enjoy being sole sponsors of the flower show. “We’re forming lasting bonds and learning a lot about flowers!” 

2-11: montage

 
   
   

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