Local flower designing enthusiasts will get a chance to learn from one of the best, as international flower designer Patricia Proctor will be giving a gala demonstration tomorrow.

As the invited guest of The Garden Club of Bermuda, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, Mrs. Proctor will be showing how to organise and construct different flower and plant arrangements using themes.

Mrs. Proctor is a creative and experienced designer who is constantly challenged to bring a new look and a different perspective into her designing.

Since living in New Zealand she designed the Kiwi exhibit at the World Association of Flower Arrangers World show in Brussels in 1987 and recently was a principal tutor at their seminar in New Zealand in April this year.

As a national judge, teacher and demonstrator, Mrs. Proctor has shared her knowledge and experience widely and her floral theatre presentations have earned her a wide reputation.

As a teacher her strengths are in the creativity, interpretations and innovative design areas.

She is a strong believer in teaching so as to inspire the designers, extend their own skills and have the students put aside all preconceived ideas and approach their designing with total freedom to explore new ideas.

Last year she decorated large outdoor stages for the Queen's visit to New Zealand, which she felt was an exciting task.

Daily surprises, new influences and experiences and nature's ever fascinating treasures are her inspiration.

While in Bermuda, in addition to her demonstration, Mrs. Proctor will be teaching a creative flower arranging course for the Garden Club of Bermuda and will be speaking at the Club's November meeting.

On her theme at the demonstration Mrs. Proctor said: "I chose the theme that is representational of New Zealand, and the special places to me and probably some significant places,'' Mrs. Proctor said. She added: "New Zealand is known as Aotearoa -- land of the long white cloud -- and I chose to interpret Aotearoa with the Bermuda grey cedar wood, white baby's breath and lilies.

"I really want to use Bermuda plant material to interpret my themes because its strong cultural qualities dictate the styles of design which I will recreate.

"And I will particularly enjoy using foliage. The extensive variety here is very inspiring.'' Mrs. Proctor added that often people have an image of a flower designer using quality market flowers all the time but in actual fact she enjoys using what she calls "nature's treasures'' like vines, drift wood, different grasses, and palm spathes.

Asked what flowers and plants are good to use for decorating Mrs. Proctor said: "It is good to use whatever you have available. There is beauty in everything and people should enjoy what they have in their garden on a daily basis.

"It's nice to use bunches of different materials and it is important for people to realise that there is no right or wrong way in flower designing. Use what you think is nice and right.'' Mrs. Proctor said she has been involved with plants and flowers all her life.

"I became involved in the New Zealand Floral Art Society 30 years ago and when my children were young I realised that there was a whole new design opportunity for me with flowers.

"I later went on to achieve my national certificate in judging and teaching and I became the national president for Floral Arts Society. There are 104 clubs in New Zealand. I also became involved in the World Association of Flower Arrangers,'' Mrs. Proctor said.

She added that designing has opened many doors for her one of which brought her to Bermuda.

"It is exciting for me to be here. Flowers are truly an international language.'' The demonstration will take place at 2 p.m. in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, at the Bermuda High School for Girls. Tickets are $25.

FLOWER LADY -- International flower designer Patricia Proctor, of New Zealand (middle) arrived in Bermuda this week for a gala flower designing demonstration tomorrow, organised by the Garden Club of Bermuda. Pictured holding plant materials from New Zealand along with some of our local dried palms is Mrs. Proctor, President of the Garden Club of Bermuda Mrs. Felicite Davidson (left) and vice president Mrs. Elizabeth Parker.