A GROUP of women welcomed the new season with a spring in their step at a flower arranging workshop in Combe St Nicholas.

The event, which was held at Combe St Nicholas Village Hall, saw ladies from across Somerset, Devon and Dorset travel to take part.

A variety of seasonal flowers and foliage were used to make spring posies.

The ladies watched a step-by-step demonstration by Jackie Nicholls from Ashville Design, which included showing them how to spiral their stems, followed by an easy method to securely tie them.

They were then able to add the finishing touches by wrapping them if they wanted to give their posy as a gift.

One of the attendees was Ingrid Edginton, acting headteacher at Axminster Primary School, who lives in Chard.

She said: “These workshops are inspirational. I learnt about how to condition my flowers so they are at their best and also learnt some useful tips about roses and gerberas.

"This was in addition to making my beautiful spring posy which was wrapped in grapevine. I was really pleased with my design.

"Jackie is extremely knowledgeable and teaches with such enthusiasm and encouragement I will definitely be coming again.”

Mrs Nicholls said: “I really must congratulate everyone, particularly those who had never been to workshops like these before. They all did so well.

"It really does prove that you don’t need any experience to have a go."

For more information contact Jackie on 01460 67795 or 07906 259 683 or visit www.ashvilledesign.co.uk.