Food rationing was still in force, King George Fourth had just died, and the Mouse Trap had just started its incredible run in the West End when enthusiasts set up the Burgess Hill Flower Club.

For its 50th anniversary the club held an open meeting at the Martlets Hall in Burgess Hill and it was so successful that members are holding a similar event at the same venue on June 5 at 7.30pm with national demonstrator Avril Hill.

The first members hosted sessions of tutors at their homes.
Now settled in monthly meetings at the Cyprus Hall after using various venues, the tradition of watching qualified flower arrangers, with a chance of taking home one of the creations, continues to be popular.

Horizons have broadened worldwide to the point where the club has a sister club in Florida.

Hundreds of mothers at the old Cuckfield Hospital had reason to thank the flower club in its earlier days as one of its first projects was arrangements at the maternity ward, and they also extended their skills to the St Peter and St James Hospice at Wivelsfield Green.

More experienced members like Lyn Stratmann, who helps with creations for the top-ranking Chelsea Flower show, Joan Sherwell, and Maureen Gibson, occasionally hold workshops.

People can see examples of the talent of the club in skillfully interpreting a theme when members decorate a local church for the annual town festival.

Regular outings are held, and members have exhibited at the South of England Show show at Ardingly, where the work of flower clubs is seen by tens of thousands of visitors to the flower tent, one of the most popular attractions of the show.

Living proof of the group's enthusiasm for celebrations is the flowering cherry tree planted in St John's Park, Burgess Hill in 1992 as part of the silver anniversary.

Typical of its efforts with other Sussex clubs in raising more than £1million pounds for people with kidney problems was the raising of more than £1,000 by Heather McNiven by holding a garden party last year.

The club is now looking forward after this celebration to its next milestone, a diamond anniversary in 2012.

Further information can be obtained from club secretary Hazel Foster on 01444 233221.