Winter Show Results

Our Annual Winter Show was this year conducted using some experimental entry rules. There were only two classes, one open class for members who considered themselves novices and a second class for the more experienced members. The aim was to encourage our newcomers to the Society who had previously felt they were disadvantaged by the trees of the more experienced members. This need reflected the present make up of the Society as we seem to have a membership of either newcomers or more experienced members. There were fifteen entries in the newcomer class and nine entries in the experienced class. In addition, one wag had entered a decorated Christmas tree. As expected, only the conifers had foliage at this time of the year.         

It had been planned that George would judge the Show but he was unable to be present and his place was taken by our Chairman, Peter. As  show judge Peter immediately disqualified the trees that he had brought.

Roger has had this tree in his possession for seven years. The tree had survived damage some four years ago when a wooden block had fallen on it breaking some branches which benefited another member of the Society who used them for cuttings.

Other trees given a recommendation
Scots Pine ------ Keith
English Elm -----Keith
Wild Olive -------Robert
Chinese Privet ---Jim
Serissa -------Adele
Zelcova -----Mary
Chinese Juniper ---Vicky  

Offering advice to the newcomers Peter emphasised  that although he did not believe in sticking rigidly to formal Japanese rules about style, he was a believer in having left and then right branches to the side followed by one at the back. This gave a tree a three dimensional appearance. Initial styling should continue by wiring of the branches into position.

Peter considered all the newcomer entries showed progress and the next steps should concentrate more on structure.

The trees of the experienced members show more structure as would be expected and Peter felt that the owners should be taking advantage of the visual state of the trees without leaves to form pruning plans for next Spring. Most of the entries indicated that as the leaves start to fall we all tend to sit back waiting for next season.  The continuation of some light pruning of upward growth at the ends of branches would be of benefit in late Autumn.

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Bromage and Young of Worplesdon have closed their business and the land is said to be being used for housing development. Whilst being small in comparision to present day well known bonsai nurseries,, they were one of the oldest UK bonsai nurseries and had operated at several different locations in Surrey before settling at Worplesdon.  Mr Bromage had been a very active figure in the early days of bonsai but with increasing years had obviously decided to retire from the trade.

This means that we have no local  nurseries devoted entirely to bonsai and will have to travel further afield for our bonsai requirments.

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The 2001 Programme

Trevor is still negotiating with possible speakers so the programme shown is for the next six months. Trevor hopes to finalise the programme very soon and a full list will be published in a future Bonsai Bulletin.

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Next Meeting. 13th February 2001
“ Workshop-Do it now !”
Colin Lewis

Our President encourages us to work on trees which we have brought .