Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Swindon Winter Image Show making it a great event to have been part of. Thank you also to our award sponsors and a special thank you to Kit Bowns for making such a fabulous hand carved root stand that was incredible. Congratulations also to all the prize winners and it was a pleasure to see such remarkable trees on display this year.
Well the preparations for the show usually start immediately after the current show has just finished so we started preparing for the 2017 in February 2016 so a year in the making. There is always so much to do when organizing a bonsai show including some of the following like ensuring there are enough tables and we needed 114. Having enough cloths and backdrops for the exhibits and there were 72 screens to cloth. Not then forgetting to work out who can supply any shortfalls and organising transportation to get all the items to the show and back again. Inviting traders, guest exhibitors, clubs, promoting the event and sorting out raffle prizes, the list goes on but it is all worth it in the end.
Thank you to all our 6 judges, Steve McKee, John Brocklehurst, Andy Jordan, Mark Kerry, Paul Eslinger and Bill Baker for all their work at the show analyzing and viewing all the exhibits and selecting the eventual award winning trees. It was not an easy task as the standard and quality of trees on display was superb.
Congratulations go to Simon Crocker for winning the Best Tree Pot Combination at the Swindon Winter Image Show 2017 with his Blackthorn.
Congratulations to Dragon Bonsai for winning the Best Innovation Award at the Swindon Winter Image Show sponsored by Dan Barton and judged by Dan too. There was a second winner of the award and this went to Kit Bowns for his stunning hand made Bonsai pipe display which was exquisite.
Best Club display for Splinter Group presented by John Pitt and Reg Bolton
Congratulations to Splinter Group for winning the Best Club display at the Swindon Winter Image Show this year. One of my favourite elements of the display is the hand made metal stand with the cutest tiny Mame tree on it, which is delightful.
Best Deciduous tree awarded to Mark and Ritta Cooper for their Trident Maple
Congratulations to Mark and Ritta Cooper for winning five of the Swindon Winter Image awards with their stunning bonsai trees. It was a pleasure to have so many high quality trees in one show and it was great to be able to see them up close and get to really examine the craftsmanship of these remarkable trees.
Paul Bowerbank winner of the Best Accent award present by John Trott
Congratulations to Paul Bowerbank our Club Chairman for winning the Best Accent award against some very stiff competition and over 70 other accents in the Swindon Winter Image Show. It was a great and fun composition and really takes in the spirit of the show.
Andy Jordan winner of the Arihato Award made and presented by Kit Bowns
Congratulations to Andy Jordan for winning the Arihato award for his wonderfully displayed chamaecyparis obtusa sekka at this years Swindon Winter Image Show. This tree is probably one of the most striking in the show but it’s real beauty is when you look within the branch structure.
A successful days trading was had by all of the bonsai traders at the show and there were some great bargains to be had too. It was great to have such a wide selection of bonsai traders selling everything from bonsai trees to pots to tool and bronzes.