Members Virtual ‘Winter Image’ show 2021

Today should have been the 19^th Swindon “Winter Image Show” but obviously the worldwide pandemic has meant that events like this have had to be cancelled, as venues have been forced to close to keep everyone safe.

To mark the date some of the club members have each submitted a few photographs taken by them of their trees, the virtual show was open to all the club members regardless of their experience or time they have been in this hobby. It will allow us all to stay connected and enjoy viewing them all. The Swindon show is usually attended by clubs from around the area, some from further afield, as well as Invited Guests and lots of lovely traders.

Preparing for exposed root plantings in 2021.

After the inspirational post by Ross relating to “Creating an exposed root bonsai” back in September 2020………. https://swindon-bonsai.co.uk/2020/09/06/creating-an-exposed-root/

I meant to post this sooner but life got in the way, which was just as well as my constructions have increased in number so I can put them all here. I decided to give the style a go so constructed a box section using scraps of plastic that I had in the garage.

In memory of Trish Henly

Back in September of this year, the wife of Dennis Henly, died after a long illness. The bonsai club wanted to do something for Trish as she always supported the club when we had shows at the Coleview centre and supplied us with food and drink all day, together with some of the other members wives. A bunch of flowers don’t last very long, so we ordered a rose to go in his garden in the name of ‘Patricia’ in her memory. This is a large flowering floribunda rose. Clusters of scented, salmon, pink flowers are produced freely throughout the summer until the first frost. Flowers are borne on straight stems making this variety ideal for cutting. Foliage is a light green .

It wasn’t due to be delivered until December but it has arrived early and we took it to him this morning. He was delighted and wanted to thank all the members of the club. Although he did try and get me to dig the hole hahaha

I don’t have a photo of Trish and this is Dennis receiving the Best Large Deciduous Award back in 2014 and another of him posing with one of his trees.

At Last……. First Club Meeting since March

Tonight saw the first club meeting since March 2020, it was good to be back in a warm hall and working on the trees. Lots of space to spread out, just had to shout a little when talking to someone on the other side of the room. Some members brought in a few trees in Autumn colour.

Autumn colours

As 2020 gallops on, the gardens are changing swiftly. The colours are all changing so I took some quick photos before the rain is back. If any members have any of their own colourful photo, either add them or send them to me and I will add them.

AT LAST………… a Club Workshop. [Outdoors of course]

Today, Saturday the 5th September 2020 saw the first club workshop since lockdown in March. Andy and Mandy, club members have a lovely large garden which meant we could all work at distance and still be close enough to converse. Lots of trees were worked on including the NEW Project Trees purchased at ‘Lodders’ by Sally/Derek earlier this year, but unable to be collected by the club members due to the virus. It was a lovely sunny day with light wind and enjoyed by all those that attended, huge thanks to Andy and Mandy for hosting the event.

Photos from Graham

Re potted this year in its new pot made by David Jones [Walsall Studio Ceramics]. It’s a lovely pot, but now the tree needs some attention. Hidden in the foliage are some half decent trunk and branch lines, but Graham is already thinking that they need to be revealed. A garden centre purchase some years ago.