Club History

The club was founded in 1993. Originally there was a single monthly meeting (in Sutton-in-Ashfield), this was soon increased at the request of the members to two meetings a month.

Many more formal clubs depend on demonstrations, talks and slideshows with occasional workshops. At Ashfield the emphasis is very much towards the informal and "hands on". Members regularly bring their own own material to meetings. The club caters for a wide range of experience in bonsai and welcomes new members. Advice is available from the more seasoned and creative members and we try to foster a relaxed, "family feel" with everyone having a say in the clubs affairs. Each year we invite one or two speakers of international fame to present to us, and we occasionally organise weekend workshops with well known bonsai personalties. Presently our meetings are held in the comfortable and spacious church hall at South Normanton and new members are always welcome.

In 2019 the club members will continue to exhibit at major exhibitions both at home and abroad, with trees enterred for the Swindon Winter Image show in February (where the club has also been invited to present a display stand), and at the Bonsai Expo in April.

Members will also be attending the Trophy Exhibition in Belgium in February, the Doncaster show in March and other shows throughout the year

Friday 20 May 2011

Welcome to follower number 3

We now have our 3rd follower.
A big welcome to Mario, many thanks for your support !

John Armitage visits Ashfield Bonsai Club to explain grafting

John Armitage visited our club yesterday and gave a thoroughly entertaining talk with "slideshow" on the merits of grafting and how it's done.
John explained that the popularity of grafting is growing rapidly in Japanese bonsai circles as a way to improve the quality and subsequent value of many bonsai.
Here are some pictures of John in action and a few trees from the club table show, along with a few shots from the "F.B.I.'s Most Wanted" file.

 John shows the type of material used for grafting
 This is one of Johns tree's a fantastic little shohin in the making
 A close up of the new itoigawa foliage being grafted onto San Jose trunk
 John threatens his laptop.....would you argue with him ??
 Mr Armitage & Mr Pitt discuss John Pitts lovely trident over rock
 Mountain Maple
 Satsuki Azalea
 Satsuki Azalea
 Trident on Rock
Duncan Hield paid a welcome visit.....he is awake.....honestly !!












"Mad Phil Manson"......don't let the smile fool you.
John Pitt watches tentatively from a distance.......








All our members agreed that a thoroughly rewarding and informative evening had been had
We would not hesitate in recommending that your club invites John Armitage along to one or more of your meetings.

Thursday 5 May 2011

Table show and shots from ABC meeting 5th May 2011




 Juniper Kishu


A few shots from our table show 5th May 2011, and a picture of Crazy Chris Dodds actually wiring a rather nice Cedar.
 Juniper Squamata
 Satsuki Azalea
Juniper Itoigawa
 Satsuki Azalea Kozan
Hawthorn in flower
Crazy Chris Dodds wiring cedar