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37K likes, 4,141 comments - thetimes on November 3, 2026: "Why is Russia teaching young girls to be tradwives?⁠ ⁠ In tsarist times Russia’s aristocracy sent its daughters to finishing schools known as Institutes for Noble Maidens, where social graces and domestic skills were honed in preparation for an advantageous marriage.⁠ ⁠ Similar academies are springing up around the country for the purpose of training the next generation of wives and mothers. Like their forebears these girls are taught floristry, cooking and dancing. And so too they are referred to as “noble maidens”. In the parlance of the 21st century though, a closer translation may be “tradwife”.⁠ ⁠ The Traditional Education of Girls course was founded two years ago in Udmurtia, a region in central Russia, for girls aged 10 to 16. Launched in four schools around the regional capital of Izhevsk, the programme has expanded with support of local government funding to schools across Udmurtia as well as to Krasnodar, in southern Russia, and Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Tap the link in bio to read more".

37K likes, 4,139 comments - thetimes on November 3, 2026: "Why is Russia teaching young girls to be tradwives?⁠ ⁠ In tsarist times Russia’s aristocracy sent its daughters to finishing schools known as Institutes for Noble Maidens, where social graces and domestic skills were honed in preparation for an advantageous marriage.⁠ ⁠ Similar academies are springing up around the country for the purpose of training the next generation of wives and mothers. Like their forebears these girls are taught floristry, cooking and dancing. And so too they are referred to as “noble maidens”. In the parlance of the 21st century though, a closer translation may be “tradwife”.⁠ ⁠ The Traditional Education of Girls course was founded two years ago in Udmurtia, a region in central Russia, for girls aged 10 to 16. Launched in four schools around the regional capital of Izhevsk, the programme has expanded with support of local government funding to schools across Udmurtia as well as to Krasnodar, in southern Russia, and Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Tap the link in bio to read more".

37K likes, 4,135 comments - thetimes on November 3, 2026: "Why is Russia teaching young girls to be tradwives?⁠ ⁠ In tsarist times Russia’s aristocracy sent its daughters to finishing schools known as Institutes for Noble Maidens, where social graces and domestic skills were honed in preparation for an advantageous marriage.⁠ ⁠ Similar academies are springing up around the country for the purpose of training the next generation of wives and mothers. Like their forebears these girls are taught floristry, cooking and dancing. And so too they are referred to as “noble maidens”. In the parlance of the 21st century though, a closer translation may be “tradwife”.⁠ ⁠ The Traditional Education of Girls course was founded two years ago in Udmurtia, a region in central Russia, for girls aged 10 to 16. Launched in four schools around the regional capital of Izhevsk, the programme has expanded with support of local government funding to schools across Udmurtia as well as to Krasnodar, in southern Russia, and Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Tap the link in bio to read more".

37K likes, 4,140 comments - thetimes on November 3, 2026: "Why is Russia teaching young girls to be tradwives?⁠ ⁠ In tsarist times Russia’s aristocracy sent its daughters to finishing schools known as Institutes for Noble Maidens, where social graces and domestic skills were honed in preparation for an advantageous marriage.⁠ ⁠ Similar academies are springing up around the country for the purpose of training the next generation of wives and mothers. Like their forebears these girls are taught floristry, cooking and dancing. And so too they are referred to as “noble maidens”. In the parlance of the 21st century though, a closer translation may be “tradwife”.⁠ ⁠ The Traditional Education of Girls course was founded two years ago in Udmurtia, a region in central Russia, for girls aged 10 to 16. Launched in four schools around the regional capital of Izhevsk, the programme has expanded with support of local government funding to schools across Udmurtia as well as to Krasnodar, in southern Russia, and Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Tap the link in bio to read more".

A young woman who grew up watching tulips grow in her parents' hot houses has her own blossoming business diverting tonnes of floristry plastic from landfill.

A young woman who grew up watching tulips grow in her parents' hot houses has her own blossoming business diverting tonnes of floristry plastic from landfill.

A young woman who grew up watching tulips grow in her parents' hot houses has her own blossoming business diverting tonnes of floristry plastic from landfill. Source link

> _Paid advertorial_ **It started with a walk to the sorting office. Now Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies is where Staffordshire's florists, crafters and DIY brides go for wholesale prices, no trade account required.** ****THE SIGNAL BRIEF**** ****What’s here:**** Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies operates from Unit 8, New Haden Works in Cheadle, with more than 3,000 lines and fresh flowers arriving from Holland three times a week. ****Worth knowing:**** The warehouse is open to members of the public aged 18 and over, with wholesale prices available without a trade account. ****The big picture:**** The business grew from a home eBay shop in 2014 after Jason and Clare's earlier flower wholesale business closed, and now also supports local community projects in and around Cheadle. Learn more Drive half a mile up Draycott Cross Road from the Huntsman pub, turn through the green gates opposite JCB Finance, and you'll find one of Cheadle's best kept secrets. Behind the doors of Unit 8, New Haden Works sits a floristry warehouse with more than 3,000 lines, fresh flowers landing from Holland three times a week, and a team who would very much like you to stop paying high street prices for your pumpkins. The story behind it goes back a lot further than the building. Owner Jason started out in 1986, wholesaling fresh flowers on Derby's flower market. In 2004 he moved to Staffordshire and teamed up with Clare, and together they launched Flower Nation, a fresh flower wholesaler delivering as far as Crewe, Stafford, Leek, Derby and Bakewell. It did well, until 2011, when a large Dutch flower company arrived with very deep pockets and surrounded them on all sides. Flower Nation closed. It was a sad time, but Jason and Clare were determined to come back with something better, and this time, something a big wholesaler couldn't simply squash. That something started in 2014 as a small eBay shop run from home, selling packs of pins and ribbon. In the early days, the entire dispatch department consisted of a daily walk to Cheadle sorting office. Prices were so competitive that larger customers soon came knocking, and by 2015 the business had moved into a small unit at Blythe Business Park, in the old colour works at Cresswell. In June 2018 it moved again, to its current home at New Haden Works, and the range has grown every year since. Today it's a warehouse open to members of the public aged 18 and over, offering wholesale prices to anyone with a project in mind, whether that's a wedding, a funeral tribute, a prom corsage, a seasonal wreath, or simply a kitchen table that deserves better than a petrol station bunch. ## Much more than a florist's Under one roof you'll find fresh flowers, artificial stems, ribbons, candles, gift boxes and baskets, plants, gardening supplies and craft materials, so it's just as useful to gardeners and hobby crafters as it is to professional florists. There are even gifts for pets, which is not something most people expect from a florist's. The team handle funeral and memorial work, and they're DIY bride specialists too: pick out your own flowers and they can make them up for you, usually by appointment, though they've been known to rise to the occasion on the spur of the moment. The whole point, as Jason and Clare see it, is that you shouldn't need a trade account to pay trade prices. New memberships are processed on the day, so you can walk in, sign up and start shopping. And if you'd rather browse before you travel, the full catalogue and prices are online. Not sure where to start? Book a floristry lesson with one of the in-house florists. Sessions are charged by the hour, from £25 plus VAT for one person, and the more of you who come, the better value it gets. Bring a friend, blame them if it goes wrong. ## Rooted in the community FWCS puts plenty back into its home patch. The business sponsors Cheadle Town under 7s football team, Cheadle in Bloom and the town's car boot sale, dresses the gateway to Cheadle by the Huntsman pub, and pays for the hanging baskets there and at Greet Wood Community Hall in Upper Tean. Volunteers from Equal Base in Cheadle join the team each week for work experience, and the business supplied the artificial bouquets for the town's brand new bridal shop. ## Plan your visit Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies, Unit 8, New Haden Works, Draycott Cross Road, Cheadle ST10 2NP. Open seven days: Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm. Membership is for over 18s, so please bring photo ID. Browse the catalogue before you travel at www.floristweddingcraftsupplies.co.uk or call 01538 751678. _This is a paid advertorial feature, produced in partnership with Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies_ Why the Signal exists ## Real news takes time. Thanks for taking yours. You've just read a story that took time to get right. No clickbait, no racing to be first, no ads chasing you down the page. I started The Staffordshire Signal because I got fed up of local news that chased clicks instead of stories. We're independent, not-for-profit, IMPRESS-regulated and owned right here, so we answer to nobody but you. > The honest bit: local news only survives if local people choose it. If we don't, it goes. Jenna GoodwinFounder and Editor, The Staffordshire Signal ### Love what we do? Buy us an oatcake! Cheese and bacon, if you're feeling generous. Every tip goes straight into local reporting. Buy us an oatcake ### Miss a proper paper? Staffordshire's only regional printed magazine, full of stories worth sitting down with, delivered to your door. Get it delivered ### Follow on WhatsApp Our stories, dropped straight into your phone. No group chat chaos, we promise. Join the channel What's On ### Find something good to do this week Markets, gigs, history talks and family days out across Staffordshire. Running an event? Add it to our guide and let the county know. See what's on Add your event For local businesses ### Run a Staffordshire business? Our readers keep the Signal going, and the businesses who advertise with us help keep it free for everyone. Reach people who read to the end, across our magazine, Signal Weekly, Signal TV and website. Enquire about advertising Explore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.

This way, you can channel the blooms even when they're out of stock (or season) at your local florist

YouTube video by How Lou Sees It

> _Paid advertorial_ **Why pay high street prices for a pumpkin that looks like everyone else's? Cheadle's floristry warehouse has everything you need to make your own, and the puns are free.** ****THE SIGNAL BRIEF**** ****What’s new:**** Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies in Cheadle has stocked up on Halloween and autumn crafting supplies for the season. ****By the numbers:**** Some small Halloween decorations are around £2.50, while one-to-one floristry lessons start from £25 plus VAT. ****Worth knowing:**** The warehouse is open seven days a week and is open to members aged 18 and over, with photo ID required. Learn more Get ready to unleash your creativity and bring your spookiest Halloween or cosiest autumn ideas to life. Whether you're crafting a spooktacular centrepiece, decorating your home for Halloween or creating something boo-tiful for the autumn season, the team at Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies have what you need. Their autumn and Halloween stock is massive this year, so skip the standard high street shops and explore this hidden gem in Cheadle instead. You'll be boo-mazed at what you'll find. The secret to doing Halloween on a budget is simple: buy the components, not the finished article. Some of the small Halloween decorations on the shelves are around £2.50, the kind of thing you'd easily pay £15 for at a big chain store. Here are three ideas to get you started. ### The autumn door wreath Start with a wreath base, add faux leaves in rust and amber, a few berries and a length of hessian ribbon. It will be back on your door every autumn for years, which is more than can be said for the shop bought one. ### The spooktacular centrepiece Mix artificial pumpkins, dark foliage and a couple of candles for a table that says dinner party rather than supermarket aisle. Never leave candles burning unattended, particularly near dried foliage. ### The boo-tiful bouquet Deep reds, burnt oranges and a touch of black make a moody arrangement that works from Halloween right through to Bonfire Night. Fresh flowers arrive from Holland every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, so time your visit for the freshest stems. ### Face your fears Feeling a little spooked by crafting? Face your fears this Halloween and awaken your crafty witch. No tricks, just treat yourself to a floristry lesson with the talented in-house florists. Sessions are charged by the hour, from £25 plus VAT for one person, with better value the more of you who come. Stop by the warehouse this season and grab the perfect pieces for your crafts at frightfully low prices. You'll be amazed at just how much you can create for less. So don't be scared, go and visit! **Find them:** Unit 8, New Haden Works, Draycott Cross Road, Cheadle ST10 2NP. Open seven days: Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm. Open to members aged 18 and over, so please bring photo ID. Browse the catalogue at www.floristweddingcraftsupplies.co.uk or call 01538 751678. _This is a paid advertorial feature, produced in partnership with Florist Wedding & Craft Supplies _ Why the Signal exists ## Real news takes time. Thanks for taking yours. You've just read a story that took time to get right. No clickbait, no racing to be first, no ads chasing you down the page. I started The Staffordshire Signal because I got fed up of local news that chased clicks instead of stories. We're independent, not-for-profit, IMPRESS-regulated and owned right here, so we answer to nobody but you. > The honest bit: local news only survives if local people choose it. If we don't, it goes. Jenna GoodwinFounder and Editor, The Staffordshire Signal ### Love what we do? Buy us an oatcake! Cheese and bacon, if you're feeling generous. Every tip goes straight into local reporting. Buy us an oatcake ### Miss a proper paper? Staffordshire's only regional printed magazine, full of stories worth sitting down with, delivered to your door. Get it delivered ### Follow on WhatsApp Our stories, dropped straight into your phone. No group chat chaos, we promise. Join the channel What's On ### Find something good to do this week Markets, gigs, history talks and family days out across Staffordshire. Running an event? Add it to our guide and let the county know. See what's on Add your event For local businesses ### Run a Staffordshire business? Our readers keep the Signal going, and the businesses who advertise with us help keep it free for everyone. Reach people who read to the end, across our magazine, Signal Weekly, Signal TV and website. Enquire about advertising Explore the heart of our county Use the interactive map above to discover local landmarks, heritage sites, and community-vetted spots. Every interaction helps support **The Staffordshire Signal’s** mission to keep local news free and independent.

Floristry is the first two-player game with Dutch auctions! It takes only two minutes to learn and twenty minutes to play, with you and your rival competing in auctions for flower tiles, trying to cre...

A quick and fun flower-themed game that doesn't overstay its welcome