Recently I went on a day trip to The Newt in Somerset as part of a Horticultural Society day out. I was amazed at the transformation of the gardens and wider site which are well worth a visit. There is a newly created Japanese Garden with a beautiful bonsai display and Niwaki garden trees which I thought would be worth sharing with the bonsai community as well as anyone who is interested. Plus the site is full of hidden gems and projects including a grotto, orchards, a vegetable garden, walled garden, the new four-season gardens, ponds teaming with newts, the deer park, lakes, restaurants a hotel and so much more.

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British Cactus and Succulent Society Wiltshire Branch Show 2023 show poster

The Wiltshire Branch will be holding its annual show in Melksham Assembly Hall in the Market Place this Saturday 17th June. There will be all sorts of plants on show including a bonsai display. Admission is only £1 and children get in free if accompanied by an adult. The show is supported by Melksham Town Council.

Full address is Melksham Assembly Hall, The Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6ES

Tonight we had a short presentation by Amelia on air layering then anyone who wanted could have a chance to practice their air layering with the air layering kits Amelia provided.

Air layering stimulates the production of aerial roots which form in a moist environment as a response to the damage to the cells around the cut wound made on the stem from the upper section. Many species are suitable to take air layers from including Amelanchier, Apples, Azaleas, Beech, Birch, Blackthorn, Camellia, Chaenomeles, Cherries, Elms, Figs, Forsythia, Hazel, Jasmine, Juniper, Lilac, Magnolia, Maples, Oaks, Pears, Privet, Lime, Rhododendron, Spindle, Yew and Laburnum to name a few.

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It’s at a NEW location this year, see address above. easy to find, closer to the M4 and there will be plenty of signage. If you are travelling from the M4 at Junc 17, Chippenham, travel south on the A350, around Melksham and at the Semington roundabout where it meets the A361 [Devizes/Trowbridge] turn right. Pass the West Wiltshire Crematorium. At the next roundabout turn right into Semington village and Pound Lane is about 200 metres on your left. The New site is a large field at the end of Pound Lane, there will be portaloos and the organisers are sorting food outlets. BOOK EARLY IF YOU WANT A PITCH.

Another fantastic workshop with Chris Thomas (Dragon Bonsai, Celtic Knot) was well attended by club members who gained knowledge and experience from Chris about how to develop and progress their trees.

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Congratulations to everyone who entered their bonsai display this year, it was a superb collection.

Here is the list of the Trophies, winners and runners up for the UKBA 4th ExpoBonsai UK Show 2023

  • BEST IN SHOW: Sponsored  by SARUYAMA BONSAI – Lee Fincham with his White Pine
  • BEST ACCENT PLANTING: Sponsored  by LEE VERHOREVOORT BONSAI – Geoff Pearmine
  • BEST LARGE DECIDUOUS DISPLAY: Sponsored by GREENWOOD BONSAI STUDIO – Les Storey with his Blackthorn and runner up was Mark and Ritta Cooper with their Trident maple
  • BEST LARGE CONIFER DISPLAY: Sponsored by KAIZEN BONSAI – Caz Scott with her Juniper and runner up to Simon Temblett with his Chamaecyparis
  • BEST SHOHIN DISPLAY: Sponsored by WINDYBANK BONSAI – Mark and Rita Copper and runner up to Graham Walker
  • BEST MAME DISPLAY: Sponsored by ZAC’S BONSAI – Les Storey and runner up to Dave Toll
  • ​BEST TREE/POT COMBINATION: Sponsored by THE EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERS – Russ Farley for his Hawthorn and runner up to Simon Temblett with his Chamaecyparis
  • BEST KIFU/CHUHIN TREE: The Ian Stewardson Memorial Trophy – Steve McKee with his Blackthorn

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