Category events

Feb 20 2012

Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show 2012 report and Video

The Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show 2012 has fast become a high point in the UK bonsai calendar. 2012 will go down as a milestone in UK bonsai excellence as the quality of display, excellence of trees and enthusiasm of the host club was truly superb. AND it was busy, I do not know the actually numbers through the door but there were a LOT of people at the show… it was also a great meet up of may of ‘the guys’ (and girls) from the UK Bonsai Scene… definitely THE place to be.

I had a speaking slot where I described the evolution of my Large Escallonia, John Armitage did a Shohin critique workshop and Ritta Cooper waxed lyrical about creating Kusamono and Shitakusa.

I was particularly pleased to have a compliment from Nobu Kaiwara about my cascade Prunus Spinosa, he considered it his favourite tree in the show, in particular its ‘natural’ styling and aged character… nice 🙂

Scroll to bottom for Video

Over 100 trees were display in all their winter glory and 11 prizes handed out at the end of the event.

  • Best Shohin display was by Mark & Ritta Cooper
  • Best Mame display was by Bob Bailey
  • Best Conifer was the Chinese Juniper that was owned by Martin Shepherd
  • Best Deciduous tree was the Trident Maple by Mark Cooper
  • Best Chuhin was the Elm of Will Baddeley
  • Best Visiting Society was the Artistic Bonsai Circle
  • Best Accent sponsored by John Trott was by Ian Warhurst from Wirral Bonsai Society
  • Best in Show was the Trident Maple of Mark Cooper
  • Best Tree/Pot combination was the Pyracantha by Mark Cooper
  • Best individual Shohin award from the British Shohin Association went to Paul Hunt of Swindon & District Bonsai Society
  • Special Merit award was given to Wirral Bonsai Society

For a photo record of the winners take a look at Swindon & District Bonsai Blog

Feb 17 2012

Repotting and Styling a large Sabina Juniper

I purchased this Sabina Juniper at the Noelanders Trophy in 2009, a year later I repotted the tree into the final planting position I wanted ready for styling. When the tree was collected it ‘appeared’ to lend itself as a semi or full cascade, however I was sure that it would make a very good ‘upright’ tree. The repotting was done exactly 12 months prior to styling. I worked the tree with Enrico Savini as a demo at the Best of British 2011 Bonsai exhibition in Birmingham UK.

Feb 6 2012

The Best Tree at Noelanders Trophy XIII?

Let me indulge myself… its my website after all!

One of the best things about taking part in a BIG show is that you get to view the exhibition when it is quiet. On entering the exhibition the very first tree was this amazing Scots pine by David Benavente.
The maturity of the bark and branches, the tiny needles, density of the foliage pads and sensitive styling make THIS TREE my favourite… and one that I would kill for to have in my collection.

I have known David for quite a few years… being fortunate that at the last Ginkgo Award of getting up close and personal to this pine… and… I cannot find anything that i would change, its pretty damn near perfect.

That is not to say the winner was not an amazing tree… its just that… I like this one more 🙂

Feb 4 2012

Club showcase: Wirral Bonsai Society

I have know many of the members of Wirral Bonsai Society for quite a few years and have spoken there on a few occasions. A truly active club and a model for others to follow. They have an annual show who’s quality is extremely high.

This from their VERY up to date Website

“New members are always welcome, just come along to one of our monthly meetings at the RAFA club. You can even ‘try us out’ for a few months before you decide on joining as an official member. The meetings are informal (there’s a bar!) and the club members are (mostly) friendly, approachable and happy to pass on guidance and information to anybody interested in bonsai- whatever your level of experience.”

Recent entries on the website include:

I recommend anyone who is interested in joining a very active club and is within an hours drive to consider Wirral. one of the best in the North West of the UK