On Thursday I ran an activity at the Holocaust Survivor Centre in Hendon which young Offenders were invited to attend. At the last minute their transportation let them down and I really don’t know who was more disappointed but we’ve re-scheduled a date for September. Yesterday The Flower Bank took part in Togetherfest at The Arts Depot in North Finchley where I was able to spread my lifelong love for sticky back plastic to a future generation by making the Mandalas in the picture. Blue Peter has much to answer for and it was really lovely to spend time with the families as they made their creations. On Tuesday I’ve been invited to attend JCoSS secondary school in New Barnet. The school’s interested in supporting our charity next year so have invited us and other shortlisted groups to promote their work without giving away freebies. The pupils will then vote for who they want to support. If you have an idea on how to be creative and engaging please get in touch. Have a wonderful week.

Finally after months of camping at 45a Leicester Road the builders are starting work on Monday 15 July with a planned finish of mid August and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Despite the fact that we’ve been camping in the space I’ve still managed to acquire a lot of plants and plant paraphernalia so next week is going to be about getting friends and families to “adopt a plant” and dismantling the existing racking and fittings in the shop. If you’re handy with a hammer or screwdriver and have a spare couple of hours to help dismantle shop fittings next Sunday please get in touch. Today myself and the lovely Julie will be at the East Barnet Festival in the Community Barnet tent - if you’re around please drop in and say hello assuming the rain holds off. Have a wonderful week.

The Flower Bank’s week has comprised of numerous trips to the re-cycling centre, activities with old people and young offenders and collecting flowers from unlikely sources. I love the way in which the stunning roses in this photograph can be one day gracing the house of an extremely wealthy couple in Highgate and the next used by a young offender as part of his design for an old people’s home in Seven Sisters. London really is a world of have and have nots. In my previous update I mentioned how I was the “carbohydrate queen” of New Barnet which confused some people, so please let me explain. M&S recently changed their policy so that not only are their flowers disposed of on a daily basis but so too their bread and any other dented tin or damaged goods. For months I’ve been overwhelmed by these goods but as of next week on Tuesday morning Age UK will collect for their luncheon club and on Thursday morning Colindale’s Community Food Bank will collect. It’s a small gesture but an unexpected outcome from my flower collections. Meanwhile, back at the hub, we’re close to finalising things with our builder and hope to start work soon. Have a wonderful week.

Yesterday The Flower Bank created buttonholes, floral headdresses, bouquets and table designs for the wedding of Tanya & Roger. I was thrilled as it was the first one we’d done but I couldn’t have done it without Carol’s help, Being creative is a wonderful opportunity for armchair therapy. Whilst we were there it was lovely to have customers and interested others pop in, the shop refurbishment can’t come quickly enough. I’m not sure if you know but when I collect the flowers from supermarkets I also collect bread, tins & perishables - last Monday I was a carbohydrate queen as the back seat of the car was full of bread, pastries and potatoes. I make sure that I distribute the food to shelters, soup kitchens and cook ups in Haringey & Barnet but I’m always looking for new outlets, so please email me or drop in to the shop to collect any items if you know of anyone in need. Have a wonderful week. Ursula

Last Sunday my trusty, long suffering and reliable car and I were involved in a crash through no fault of our own. The car, which enabled me to start The Flower Bank, has been written off and apart from whip lash I’ve been enjoying the joys of a courtesy car. Thank you to everyone who’s helped me out this week - too many to name and I was particularly lucky to receive help with collections of flowers which was fantastic. On Wednesday Julie & Caroline decorated the window for British Flowers week and so began our rotating shop window display - if you’d like to come and decorate the window please let me know - this week is Ladies Day at Ascot and the following week Wimbledon. The response from passers by has been phenemenonal. On Friday we received the costings for the shop refurbishment, they’ve come in over budget but with help from friends and volunteers Im confident we can bring it in under budget. I need to think about the hub’s kerb appeal and and I’d love to have your comments so please feel free to drop in to the hub or contact me at ursulastone@hotmail.co.uk. Have a lovely week.

I really love the fact that on a Wednesday afternoon I collect wasted flowers from Tivoli’s lock up in Chingford and by Friday I’ve re-purposed them for a small synagogue in Golders Green. For those who don’t know it’s the Jewish festival of Shavuot this weekend and flowers play a major part in its celebration so I’ve been really busy this week collecting wasted flowers and plants from supermarkets which has allowed them to make space for incoming bouquets. On Thursday I met quite by chance a marvellous green fingered neighbour Carol who’s recovering from brain surgery. She’s kindly offered her time to tend to all our plants and flowers - and what’s even more fantastic is that she lives doors away from the hub. Talking of the hub the architect’s plans have been submitted to the builder and we’re waiting for his costings so hopefully building work can begin shortly. Tomorrow morning at 5.00 am I’ll be collecting flowers from a dinner at Old Billingsgate near Tower Hill - by midday they’ll be used at a health and well being workshop at Lordship Rec Hub in Tottenham so if you’re in the area please come down. Have a wonderful weekend. Ursula

The arrangement in the photograph was made by Haringey Young Offenders on Thursday (an Arsenal and Man Utd fan) and can be seen languishing on the bar at The Antwerp Arms in London N17. This community pub has been the base for countless media stations over the last 2 days and was last glimpsed on Sky Breakfast news. Yesterday I helped a bat mitzvah girl and loyal Spurs fan prepare the flowers for her special occasion - it was great fun and Hannah had a great eye for colour. I’ve just received in the post 2 cheques from readers of Yours who sent them to the magazine following an article they ran on me. I’m really humbled by this and want to use their money in some special way.

The Flower Bank took part in the RHS Chelsea Fringe last Sunday special mention to Helen Tierney who serenaded “bin decorators” in East Finchley and to Yan Skates for ferrying materials from New Barnet to Grahame Park - there’s already talk of next year. However if you want to look at the completed bins and vote for your favourite you have until 3.30 pm to vote on Instagram @Bloominbarnetbins. I had a fantastic meeting with the architect and builder yesterday and it looks like building work will get under way next month. Following that meeting I rushed to Cuffley Manor residential home for event for a Chelsea inspired event - the pair of shoes are what the residents created and they were delighted. The Hub is open tomorrow and Monday between 1 and 4 and it will be great to welcome you. Hope you enjoy the long weekend.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported us this afternoon for our inaugural BloominBarnetbins. It was a wonderful afternoon. You can look at all 10 bins and like your favourite @Bloominbarnetbins on Instagram. The winner is the bin that has received the most likes by next Sunday.

Many hands make light work as we collect flowers from M&S Whetstone, Aldi’s East Barnet & Tottenham and receive wonderful donations from Tivoli and former Capel Manor classmates Vicky & Ann. This afternoon Sunday 19 May from 1.30’- 3.30 at 3 separate venues throughout Barnet 10 teams will be competing again the clock and each other to decorate in as imaginative a way as possible public litter bins on the theme of re-cycling, using only donated flowers. If you’re in East Barnet come down to Oak Hill Park, if you’re in the vicinity of Grahame Park Estate, Barnwood Park or Market Place East Finchley please come and say hello. The winner will be the bin that receives the most likes on Instagram @Bloominbarnetbins please follow it so you can vote. May the best bin win!