Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2026. I’d love for this newsletter to be full of information about all the clubs in our area – sharing good times and helpful information. There are 36 clubs in our area – lets get out and about!

Important Dates

Sunday 5th April	WAFA – Area entry deadline	Email to secretarysouthmidlandsnafas@gmail.com
Saturday 11th April Sunday 12th April	National Demonstrator Tests and Pre-national Assessments	The Shirley Centre B90 3AD starts at 10am
Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th May	Malvern Spring Show	Three Counties Showground WR13 6NW
Sunday 10th May	WAFA – Area Elimination competition	Shrewley Village Hall
Saturday 16th May	Area Demonstrator Mock Test	St Peter’s Church Centre, CV7 7EA
Thursday 18th – Sunday 21st June	Gardeners’ World Live and International Orchid Show	NEC Birmingham
Saturday 27 June	Area Demonstrator Test	St Peter’s Church Centre, CV7 7EA
Thursday 16 July	WAFA National Elimination competition	Shrewley Village Hall

Thursday March 19th

Area Council meeting

This meeting is going to be full of important information for all clubs. We will be delighted to welcome the new CEO – Richard Abraham.

Richard will be giving us a presentation on the new National Renewal Project before the final vote to proceed. He has already visited other areas and plans to visit all 20 areas. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say and he is happy to take questions.

There will also be the ordinary business of the Council Meeting and the sales table will be taken by Market Harborough – there’s sure to be something tempting!

Representation from as many clubs as possible is always welcome – please remember though only one vote per club.

Saturday 11th April and Sunday 12th April

National Demonstrator Test and Pre-national Assessments

Being held in our area! Tickets are only £15 and are available from Vanessa at HQ on 0207 247 5567 or email her at events@nafas.org.uk

This is a superb chance to see the National Demonstrators of the future for a very reasonable fee. The test and assessments are being held at The Shirley Centre – 274 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AD.

Whilst Teas and Coffees will be available, please bring a packed lunch with you – it will be an action packed day. There will also be a raffle. Tickets are limited.

Sunday 5th April and Sunday 10th May

WAFA Elimination

A very exciting chance indeed! NAFAS are offering the chance to one lucky competitor to be sponsored to take an honorary spot at WAFA in Sydney Australia next year!

Closing date to enter your name for our local elimination round is

SUNDAY 5th APRIL 2026

please enter by emailing Ruth the Secretary at

secretarysouthmidlandsnafas@gmail.com

and include your name and the name of your NAFAS club. Our Elimination competition will be held at Shrewley Village Hall on

SUNDAY 10th MAY.

The winner will receive entry and will receive sponsorship to the National Elimination competition also held at Shrewley Village Hall on Thursday 16th July.

Please note: you must be available to go to Sydney, Australia for staging on 17th March 2027.

For further details please see the WAFA Australia document on the Website.

Saturday 16th May

Area Demonstrator Mock Test

On behalf of all the trainees (including myself – eek) please come along to the Mock Test and support all the candidates for their Mock Demonstrator Test.

Held at St Peter’s Church Centre, Balsall Common, CV7 7EA – doors open at 9am for the test to start at 9.45am.

Please get tickets in advance – only £5 – from Jo Davis on 07896 117368

Tea and Coffee will be available, please bring your own lunch. There will also be a raffle.

Saturday 27th June

Area Demonstrator Test

Please come along and support the trainees in their final test to become Area Demonstrators.

Held at St Peter’s Church Centre, Balsall Common, CV7 7EA with doors open at 9am for a 9.45am start.

Tickets for this are only £10 – the trainees would like a friendly audience – please come! Tickets in advance from Jo Davis 07896 117368

Other News

You may have noticed our new website. I hope that it offers clubs some new functionality with the new mapping system and calendar. If you have any ideas that you’d like me to add, please let me know.

I am also waiting for some club calendars – my contact details are

cathykennedy74@gmail.com or phone/message/whatsapp me on 07456 590933