At last we are able to hold our club meetings back at the Coleview centre. The tables have been well spaced out so we can keep our distance from each other, if needed. There weren’t too many of us at the first meeting, due to many reasons but at least it attracted two new possible members to attend to ask many questions. Here are a few quick photos from the evening…….
Several years ago, the club decided to award a merit shield to a club member, together with a voucher to attend one of John Trott’s workshops near Shepton Mallet, so not too far away. This was decided by the current committee and consideration was given to the improvement of members trees, what that member had contributed to the club and which member’s trees would benefit from a workshop. John is well known in bonsai circles and regularly displays a major events and RHS shows. In 2019 he was recognised by the RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] as their ‘Master Grower’ for that year……… https://swindon-bonsai.co.uk/2019/05/18/rhs-master-grower-john-trott/
The Coleview Community Centre is now open again, so meetings will hopefully start again at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 8th June 2021 in the Towcester Suite [Big Hall]. For the time being it will be workshops until we can compile a new programme to take us up to the AGM next March. Any members with ideas of what you would like to cover during our meetings please let a Committee member know.
Today should have been the 19th 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.