NAFAS Teachers
NAFAS TEACHERS are qualified at Area and National level. North Midlands Area Teacher’s Association was established in 1974. NAFAS Teachers are available to teach floral design at Club and Area workshops. Some social workshops, organised by individual teachers, are open to non-club members. For those interested in gaining qualifications in Flower Arranging, please note Teachers profiles, College web site links, or visit www.nafas.org.uk
Jill Bewick
NAFAS National Teacher
Jill is a NAFAS National Teacher, and lives in central Nottinghamshire. She has been teaching flower arranging for 30+ years, including the NAFAS Course, Area Workshops, Personal and Community Development Courses, and Courses specifically designed for people with learning difficulties, for many colleges in Nottinghamshire. Jill loves all aspects of floral design – traditional, contemporary, and environmental art, alongside a love of plants, gardens and the countryside.
Jill is currently Chairman of Ravenshead Flower Arranging Group, a Past Chairman of Future Concepts CFD Group, and past Secretary of the Teachers’ Association. Jill served as North Midlands Area Chairman, and is an Area Past President, and currently Area Media Officer.
Jill is available daytime, evenings and weekends, and is happy to discuss tutoring any topics your Club Members may enjoy.
Contact: 07787 125052
Email: jillbewick@hotmail.com
Helen Chambers NDSF
NAFAS Area Teacher
With nearly 40 years of experience in floristry, Helen Chambers of Evolve Flowers has a wealth of practical knowledge and creative expertise to share with flower arrangers of all abilities.
Helen is one of the 100 Faces of Floristry, an Ambassador for Sustainable Church Flowers (SCF) and is featured in the Good Florist Guide. She is a committed advocate of foam-free flower arranging, encouraging florists to explore alternative techniques and make considered choices when creating floral designs, particularly for church settings.
Her experience spans seasonal floral design, the use of flowers and foliage, and the creation of arrangements for a wide range of occasions. Her achievements include a Silver-Gilt Medal at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In 2026, she sponsored and designed The King’s Meadow at Sandringham Church during the RHS Sandringham Show.
Through her teaching, Helen shares practical techniques, creative ideas and an understanding of seasonal materials to help students develop their skills and confidence. Her approach encourages experimentation, thoughtful design and a greater understanding of how beautiful arrangements can be created without floral foam.
Contact
Email: helen@evolveflowers.co.uk
Mobile: 07767 091980
Telephone: 01775 680655
Pauline Foster
NAFAS National Teacher
Also see: Judges and Demonstrators
Pauline Foster lives in central Lincolnshire and is a qualified teacher with an extensive background as a College Lecturer.
She is currently Judges’ Representative on the North Midlands Area Team, having previously served as both Demonstrators’ and Teachers’ Representative. Pauline has been an enthusiastic and successful competitor from an early age and as well as being runner-up in the NAFAS Designer of the Year Competition has won two silver medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a Silver-gilt medal at Malvern Show. She has recently designed a large, very successful, Flower Festival at All Saints’ Church in Gainsborough and Travels the country as a NAFAS National Teacher, Area Demonstrator and Judge.
Always keen to introduce people to the joys of flower arranging, Pauline runs day classes and short courses in her local area for all abilities as well as going out to NAFAS Clubs to deliver courses on a range of topics, often including craft techniques as well as flower arranging. Courses are usually designed specifically to meet the needs of the Club or organisation so contact her to discuss your requirements.
Email: jigsawtc@hotmail.com
Kathy Hocking
NAFAS Area Teacher
Kathy is a NAFAS Area teacher having completed Level 3 in Floral Art and Design some years ago.
She is based in Southwell where she teaches leisure classes to all abilities.
As a teacher she enjoys sharing her passion for arranging, passing on new skills and seeing her students’ progression in floral art.
Jayne Merriman
NAFAS National Teacher
Jayne is an experienced floral artist and NAFAS National Teacher who is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping others discover the joy of flower arranging.
She teaches weekly leisure classes at Laceby Library, offering a relaxed and friendly environment where students can learn new techniques, develop their skills and explore their own creativity. Jayne also runs seasonal workshops throughout the year, providing opportunities to create beautiful floral designs inspired by the seasons.
For those looking to develop their knowledge further, Jayne offers NAFAS Flower Arranging courses at Levels 1-3 for individuals and small groups. Courses can be tailored to suit different levels of experience and learning needs.
Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to develop your existing skills, Jayne enjoys helping students build confidence, experiment with design and discover their own style through flower arranging.
Contact email: ajmflowerclasses@gmail.com
Di Smith
NAFAS National Teacher
Also see: Demonstrators
Di lives in a small village in the Lincolnshire Wolds and travels extensively teaching workshops to Clubs. As a qualified teacher, with a background as a part-time college lecturer, Di offers day and evening workshops covering a range of floral skills. She is also a long standing member of the North Midlands Area Teachers Association having served on the Committee as Treasurer.
Di began her flower arranging at local adult education classes in 1992 before going on to study C&G 7900 Creative Studies Parts 1 & 2 from June 1994 to Sept. 1997 and C&G Contemporary Floral Design from Sept 2002 to June 2003. Di has also attained her C&G Stage 2 Floristry certificate.
Di joined Market Rasen flower Club in 1995 and has served as President, Chairman and Treasurer and is the current Secretary. In 2015 Di was made an Honorary Member for her commitment and services to the Club. She was also a founder member of Future Concepts (CFDG). Di has also served on the North Midlands Area Executive committee as Treasurer and is an Area Associate of Honour.
Di is an experienced and popular teacher, and is always keen to be involved with local and area flower festivals having been part of the North Midlands Area Team at the Westminster Abbey Flower Festival in 2009. She also enjoys competing in local, Area, National and World Shows – achieving frequent successes including Commended ribbon awards at both WAFA Dublin and Barbados. Di enjoys the challenge and camaraderie that competing brings.
In between Di’s full-time occupation as a Company secretary for an Agricultural Engineering firm, she enjoys her extensive garden, the local village church (Church Warden) and the village W.I.
Jane Walden
NAFAS Area Teacher
Also see: Judges
Will teach any topic.
Jane lives in Keyworth, near Nottingham and has been a member of Nottingham Flower Club since 1980. She started competing at 7 years of age whilst living in Peterborough. Her passion for this hobby became more formal with qualifications starting in 1999 and commenced teaching leisure classes in 2005. She is also a member of the Teachers Association.
Jane is available for day schools or evening workshops. Her particular interests include the manipulation of plant materials and various craft based skills, plus of course keeping up to date with current trends. Jane also loves gardening and using all types of materials, possibly in a different way!
Jane particularly wants to encourage Clubs to hold more practical sessions. She is prepared to visit Clubs to show teaching ideas for workshops. She can then visit at a later date to teach a workshop or will help more experienced Club members with ‘in house’ practise nights.
Contact: 07714805437
Jackie West
NAFAS Area Teacher
Having already achieved the NAFAS diploma in Floral Art and Design Level 1-3 with the City and Guilds certificate in Contemporary Floral Art, Jackie decided she would like to teach others this lovely skill. She has now completed studies for, and achieved the NAFAS OCN Level 3 Advanced Teaching Certificate and is therefore fully qualified and willing to organise and run some fun flower workshops as she believes every stage of the flower arrangement journey should be fun !
For many years Jackie has run her own very successful wedding flower business, planned and designed many church flower festivals and designed flower displays in many prestigious venues including Belton House and Belvoir Castle. In addition, she has demonstrated for many charities and run flower arranging workshops. As a keen gardener she loves using home grown foliage wherever possible.
To stay abreast of latest ideas both traditional and contemporary she has spent much time visiting flower shows both in this country and in Belgium following their amazing contemporary trends.
Jackie is a past Chairman of Grantham Flower Club and a past member of Future Concepts contemporary flower club. Grantham Flower Club regularly run workshops which have proved a beneficial way to encourage interest in the Club.
Jackie is available to teach all aspects of floral design and would love to help your club, as working with flowers is a privilege and should be encouraged. She is happy to run workshops in the evening or daytime and can also help some of your more experienced club members to do this for their own club .
Jackie believes it is important for our clubs to offer a teaching facility as well as demonstrations .
Teaching Titles:
- The Challenge – NO Foam – 20 minutes
- Easter Garden and Door Wreath – 40 minutes
- Contemporary Style with Leaf Manipulation – 20 minutes
Zoom 40 mins at home.
Contact: 07879 416577
Email: edengrantham@aol.com
Kathryn Wrath
NAFAS National Teacher
Kathryn is a NAFAS National Teacher and lives near Lincoln. She is a member of the North Midlands Area Teachers Association, a past Chairman of Future Concepts CFDG, and a member of her local Flower Club in Lincoln.
Kathryn has taught both the NAFAS and C&G Floral Art Courses, and teaches all levels of Floral Design, Historical to 21st Century. Kathryn has developed her own classes as an Independent Tutor and now teaches the OCN NAFAS Course.
If you or your Flower Club would like to speak with Kathryn about classes or workshops, she would love to hear from you.
Contact: 01522 694281
Email: kathryn.wrath@icloud.com
