1st place, PB Siberian Elm
2nd place, MP Siberian Elm
3rd place, GS Japanese Maple
November tree of the month
October tree of the month
1st place, KB Larch
2nd place, PB Lonicera
3rd place, SM Trident
September tree of the month
1st place, SM Trident
2nd place, DB Crab Apple
3rd place, GP 3rd place, Virginia Creeper
Test Valley Woodfair 2016
Held in a woodland, the event was free for all to enjoy. There was much on offer from wood turners to tree surgeon demonstrations, bush crafts, falconry, food and bonsai! I really enjoyed Alex Metcalf’s tree listening installation he set up using technology he has designed himself, he educates and brings awareness on tree biology and the mechanics of how it works.
Along with Collette Harrison – Bonsai Trees Southampton, Solent Bonsai Society were invited to the fair to display their trees. It made a real change to see the trees in the natural woodland setting rather than on tables with cloths, scrolls etc. I would definitely like to see more of this sort of thing; even the weather managed to hold off the rain until the last moment.
Thanks to everyone at Test Valley Borough Council for all the work building, organising and managing the day. A lot of people got a good amount out of it.
August tree of the month
1st place, SM Larch
2nd place, KB Pea Shrub
2nd place, PB Cotoneaster
3rd place, DM Fraxinus
July tree of the month
1st place, KB Juniper
2nd place, SM Trident
3rd place, PB Larch
Cactus & Succulent Melksham
Cactus and succulent are a vast and extensive family of plants. You should check some of them out. Wiltshire branch are holding their annual show on 2nd July 2016 at Melksham Assembly Hall from 1100 to 1530. It’s only a quid to get in and has plant sales, refreshments and even some bonsai!
June tree of the month
1st place, KB Trident
2nd place, SM Chinese Elm
3rd place, PB Chinese Elm
Gold at Chelsea 2016
Another fantastic year for bonsai with a Gold medal for 2016 for the Federation of British Bonsai. With 22 bonsai trees from Swindon Bonsai Club and 5 accents out of the 25 bonsai trees on display.
Reginald Bolton and Terry Adams initially started helping on the FoBBs stand since 1996 and in 1998 they took over designing, building and managing the display and stand and have continued to do so for the past 18 years.
The trees are a range of species including Mountain maple, English Yew, White Pine, Trident Maple, Deshojo Maple, Chinese Juniper, Kiyohime Maple, Chinese Elm, Siberian Elm, English Elm, Korean Hornbeam, Ligustrum and a White Beech.
The build team for this year were Graham Simpson, Andy Jordan, Graham Stubbs, Terry Adams, Reginald Bolton and Tony Mckenzie and it was a great team effort. With a special vote of thanks to Graham Simpson who worked like a trojan to ensure the build was completed on time.
Tony Webber
Tony Webber, 22nd January 1941 – 26th March 2016
Sad news comes around far too often sometimes. Earlier this year bonsai lost Tony Webber, an instrumental and lively member of Phoenix Bonsai Group and Wessex Bonsai Society. He had a real passion and commitment for trees and will be badly missed.
His collection will be auctioned in Salisbury, Wiltshire on Sunday 3rd July. For an overview and all the additional details please see bonsaiauction.uk