Last Saturday I created with the help of Haringey Youth justice team an installation for Haringey’s Unsung Women’s award (see picture) thanks to Paula Barnard Groves for creating the metal piece and Aldi and M&S for their flowers. I was approached by a researcher a few weeks ago about collaborating with her to do research into the impact of Green environment on health and well being of certain groups in society namely young offenders and dementia sufferers. We had our first meeting on Monday about creating an urban meadow in the grounds of Haringey’s Registry Office and all being well we plan to start its creation at the end of April. On Thursday I received 2 interesting invitations the first to talk to Holocaust survivors and do some floral activity with them and the second to create 25 centerpieces for a dinner to raise funds for victims of knife crime. If anyone is free to volunteer or just wants to know more I’d be delighted to hear from you. By the way Flower bombing isn’t great in this weather but normal service will resume when the weather is calmer.

This week I’ve been finalising plans with Barnet Council and community groups for the RHS Chelsea Fringe Show. The plans aren’t yet finalized but roughly on Sunday 19 May 8 public bins decorated in the style of Lewis Miller. 8 teams will have 2 hours to decorate a bin using flowers - if you’re interested in being involved please send me a message. I finally started to collect the refreshed flowers from Tivoli Services. Tivoli Services supply flowers for the corporates in Canary Wharf - I drove to a lock up office near Chingford where I took what I wanted from the flowers they’ve left for me. To say I feel like a child let loose in a sweet shop would be an understatement! The week ended with meeting Christian (see his picture) he made me feel 20 years younger for which I’m grateful - he’s a photographer who’s interested in documenting me flowerbombing and working more generally with the young people - he’s a great energy to have on board. Have a great weekend

A few weeks ago I was introduced to Tas from the real junk food project in Burnt Oak. They operate a “pay as you feel or pay back by volunteering” food surplus scheme. The project operates from the basement of a Gospel Church in Burnt Oak and The Flower Bank is going to create a herb garden for them. Two weeks ago young offenders began the process by planting an assortment of herb seeds. As a result of our meeting I’m now collecting wasted flowers from Marks & Spencer in Temple Fortune. This Friday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day and on Saturday 9th The Flower Bank will be decorating the venue that hosts Haringey’s Unsung Women’s awards in the colors of purple, white and green. This year 36 women are being recognised for their fantastic voluntary work. The metal circles in the photograph will be transformed by the amazing sculptor Paula Barnard Groves into an artwork that can be decorated with flowers for the event. Have a wonderful week. Ursula

Do you remember on Friday I left a flower bomb on benches outside BBC Broadcasting House? On Sunday afternoon I discovered who’d found it, meet Kamilah as seen in the photograph. The following is extracted from her Instagram post “On Friday I had a meeting with my manager who told me I hadn’t got a job I’d gone for in my department. After the meeting I went outside to get some air/have a little cry on a bench opposite my workplace. Whilst sitting on the bench I looked to my right and saw these gorgeous flowers with a note attached saying “Please take these flowers they’re free and a gift from The Flower Bank. In the end I did have a cry but they were happy tears - thank you so much @banktheflower for turning my sad day into a happy one.” I was really happy to get this message and to think that The Flower Bank has brought some joy into Kamilah’s day.

I’m not great at public speaking, never properly prepare myself and worst of all start doubting what I’m saying mid speech - so the past 2 days have been rather testing. On Thursday night amidst oceans of Arsenal fans I spoke to a new cohort of potential crowdfunders at a venue moments away from the Emirates Stadium. I spoke about my crowdfunding experience and got to meet organisations and individuals doing amazing things in the community. Yesterday banishing thoughts of the comedy W1A from my mind it was with some trepidation that I arrived at Broadcasting House. I had been invited to answer questions from local radio stations as far a field as Glasgow and Jersey on The Flower Bank in the morning and to appear with BBC London’s Jo Good in the afternoon. With hindsight I can’t really believe I did it oh and I managed to leave a flower bomb which had disappeared within 5 minutes!

What a rock star week I’ve had!! It began innocently enough with an article in the Times on Monday which then snowballed into radio appearances on 5 Live and Talk Radio and articles in i-news and The Week. By the time the Channel 5 film crew followed me to film a typical day in the life of the Flower Bank I was a seasoned veteran. I’ve just finished a photo shoot for Yours and still to come a radio appearance on BBC London next Friday 22nd with Jo Good at 2.30 and an article in The Jewish Chronicle. I must say that I was rather glad that I was dropped from Radio 4's Today Programme at the last minute as I felt as if I was being summoned to see the Headmaster I’d lain awake all night panicking that John Humphreys would ask me something confrontational about Alstromeria! After several false starts I’ve finally been able to secure the services of a solicitor, Judith Bleetman of Parkes Wilshire Johnson in East Barnet to begin negotiations on the lease of our proposed shop. Have a lovely weekend I’m off to leave a flower bomb in St Albans.

Since Monday’s article in The Times I have been utterly overwhelmed and flabbergasted by the interest I’ve received from the Press. Tomorrow Channel 5 News is with me from collecting flowers in the morning from Sue Arran to flowerbombing lonely hearts on Valentine’s Day and finally an interview at my kitchen table. Next week I’m on BBC London which I’m looking forward to and tonight I’m talking to Paul Ross on Talk Radio. I’m finding it hard to keep up. I wanted to share with everyone a comment on The Times article that someone had written “and congratulations to everyone who pledged to the crowdfunding project.” I am extremely grateful to you all. PS The flowers in this arrangement were from Aldi

This morning there was a lovely article about The Flower Bank in The Times and the floodgates have opened, just as you predicted Lianne. At 10.50 I’m going to be talking to Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live and the i newspaper is calling shortly for an interview. And I thought that getting the kids to school on Monday morning was stressful!! At 10.15 I’m meeting the builders at the shop in Friern Barnet for them to have their initial look at their dilapidated state. Oh and all this in the most busiest week of the year for florists, Valentine’s Day! Have a great week.

This evening I received a bumper delivery of wasted flowers from M&S forvwhich I’m deeply grateful. M&S have changed their policy and no longer reduce their cut flowers or artisan bread I was told. This brings them into line with Aldi & Sainsbury’s. You will have received an email from Spacehive today to say that GoCardless will shortly collect pledges from your bank accounts. Once collected this money will be frozen until the lease is agreed which is some months down the line. Thank you for your patience and if you need a bunch of flowers in a hurry please get in touch. Ursula