Sad loss to the club – Bob Bailey

Bob sadly passed away yesterday after a long illness which he bravely fought.

According to Bob’s wishes, there will be no funeral. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.

Rest in peace Bob, thoughts are with his wife Sandra and the family.

Show 2024, Merit Awards

Merit Awards, Sponsored by the Swindon Club & Judged by.………… Reg Bolton, Amelia Williams & Terry Adams

From Main display area……………

Merit Visiting Club…………. Newbury, tables 34/35

Merit Shohin Visiting Club………. Warminster, 

Merit Shohin Visiting Cub………. Surrey Heath

Merit Deciduous, No 13……….. Rod Mcfarlane, Acer

Merit Deciduous, No 32……….. Ian Duff, Acer Kashima

Merit Evergreen, No 8…………. Tony Ulatowski, Hinoki

Merit Evergreen, No 33……….. Mark Cooper, Needle Juniper

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Show 2024 Main Award Winners

Main judge………… Dan Barton, https://danbartoncreative.co.uk/ Judging was for the whole display on a 6 ft table area. Due to show visitors and space it was difficult to capture the whole displays, All photos taken by Andy and Mandy [Swindon members]

  1. Best Visiting Club Display…………. Ashfield
  2.  Best Deciduous Display………………Barry Gatt. Table No 15, Mountain Maple
  3.  Best Evergreen Display…………….. Caz Bonsai [Caroline Scott], Table No 22, Juniper
  4.  Best Shohin Display…………………… Duncan Hield, Table No 28
  5.  Best Tree & Pot Combo…………… Mark & Ritta Cooper, in shohin display No 27
  6.  Best Accent…………………………….. Paul Spearman, No 18,  Larch, accent sponsored & Judged by John Trott [Mendip Bonsai Studio]

Best Visiting Club Display………individual trees

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NEW for the 2024 show, on Sunday the 11th Feb.

Following the very successful UKBA bonsai display at the Hyper Japan Festival in London last year, contact was made with representatives of the Japanese Embassy in London. Through them a link to a bonsai master in Japan was arranged. It is hoped to have a pre recorded link running during the show in a side room of the centre between the times of 1pm – 3pm. We had hoped that this would be live to Japan but various things have prevented this. This will feature Mr Ryuichi Kitadani, a 4th Generation Bonsai Garden owner in Japan, He also has many videos on Youtube. The room being used will be signed and is located near the centre main reception desk. There is no charge and included in the show entry, just remember the raffle takes place about 2pm.

Show Raffle, Sun 11th Feb 2024…. First Prize

NO……………… it’s not the HUGE pot in the photo. Kindly donated to the show raffle is this unique opportunity of a pottery workshop to make a coiled bonsai pot with Dan Barton………. Bonsai Artist and Ceramics Expert. [BUT not as big as the photo]……………….. For a chance to win the workshop or other prizes, you need to purchase raffle tickets available on the day of the show. Other prizes will include a number of bonsai tools and accessories.

Many of Dan’s ceramic pots can be seen on his web site…………….. https://danbartoncreative.co.uk/

Autumn colour………

There is lots of autumn colour out there and should make the next ”Tree of the Month” at the November meeting very interesting.

Club Members Summer Social 2023

Saturday the 2nd September saw the club members summer social at Reg’s house and garden. About 26 of the members were able to attend and the weather was lovely, so we could enjoy the garden and Reg’s trees.

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