But why Florence & Olive?
Luxury Weddings and Events Planner, based in West Berkshire
Welcome! I am so glad you have taken the time to look at our website. So as explained in the about section, my name is Clare and I am the founder of The Florence & Olive Collective. If you are here you will already know that we provide luxury weddings and events planning, including corporate events and parties. You will also know that I am an experienced weddings and events planner with many years behind me, and also a qualified wedding planner. But lets dive into the name..... who are Florence and Olive if my name is Clare???
Honouring Florence and Olive: A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
In the tapestry of life, the influence of our ancestors often weaves an indelible thread of inspiration. For me, that thread is embodied by two extraordinary women, Florence and Olive - my grandmothers. Their remarkable spirits not only left an indelible mark on me but also bestowed upon me certain traits for which I am eternally grateful.
Florence, a beacon of family values, might have appeared to be the quintessential stay-at-home mother of the 1930s and 40s at first glance. However, beneath that facade lay an unwavering determination that defied convention. In the early 1930s, she gave birth to her only child, my mother, who was born with a cleft palate. What followed was a journey of devotion, strength, and remarkable resilience.
Imagine the era - the 1930s, a time when medical advancements were far from what they are today. Florence embarked on a challenging pilgrimage, navigating trains and buses to transport my mother to various specialist hospitals. Astonishingly, this often meant leaving her child, a mere one-year-old, at these hospitals, returning to Wiltshire alone. But Florence's legacy of resourcefulness, a trait I proudly carry, shone through. In a twist of fate, my mother found herself in a specialised skin hospital. And so, Florence adapted once again - she undertook training to care for patients in the burns unit, a decision that not only kept her close to my mother but also saw her tending to the wounds of soldiers and airmen scarred by the ravages of war.
Florence's determination knew no bounds. Her focus was resolute - ensuring my mother's well-being. With a tenacity that awes even today, she employed a form of networking that mirrored my own, to locate the foremost surgeon for cleft palate surgery. And in a feat that echoes with strength and strategic planning, she secured a pioneering position for my mother as the first child in the UK to undergo this life-changing procedure.
Consider the sheer resolve this must have entailed. In an era when the internet was yet to be conceived, Florence accomplished what seemed nearly insurmountable. She painted a portrait of strength, resilience, and relentless determination.
Olive, my paternal grandmother, left this world when I was around four years old. While our time together was short, her influence resonates powerfully. With ten grandchildren, she became the nucleus of countless cherished stories and memories. From teaching us card games at a mere three years old to declaring "Today, we speak only French, or Spanish, or German," she painted the world with a palette of nine languages she fluently spoke.
My fondest memories were being with her in her kitchen where I learned a lesson or two. One of which I would say is a life mantra I've woven into the fabric of almost everything I do - "Tidy up as you go along; you never want to work in a mess. It results in distractions and messy work." This invaluable lesson underscores the importance of order, focus, and pride in your craft.
While my personal memories are a treasure, the stories from my siblings and cousins paint a portrait of Olive as a strong, possibly even formidable, woman. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, she was a perpetual student, forever honing her skills. The echoes of her ever evolving skill development must ripple down to me in an inspiring and unrelenting commitment to self-improvement. And while I wouldn't say I inherited her penchant for being "bossy,"……. Oh okay…. I’m bossy too! I've certainly imbibed her passion for growth.
As I embark on the realm of relaunching my wedding planning and event planning business, I stand at the crossroads of these two remarkable legacies. Florence and Olive, distinct yet kindred spirits, gifted me with strength, resilience, and wisdom. They have become the cornerstone of my journey, infusing every event I craft with their wisdom, their lessons, and their indomitable spirits. Just as they orchestrated the symphonies of their lives, I pledge to orchestrate moments that resonate with the echoes of their legacies.
I couldn’t think of a better way to honour them than naming this business after them.
What else will these blogs bring you?
Well, they won't be all be about me and my family history, this blog today is for you to find out my why.
This blog will bring you stories of events we work on, hints and tips or your next event and also any local events we have attended.
Comments