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

Saturday 22 December 2012

Ashfield Bonsai Club trees accepted for display at the Noelanders Trophy 2013

We're proud to announce that 4 Ashfield Bonsai Club members have had trees accepted for the Noelanders Trophy in 2013.

We'll add pictures of our members trees on display when we return from the exhibition at the end of January.

So until then we would like to wish all our followers and passers by a Merry Christmas and hope you all have a happy and healthy 2013.



Saturday 24 November 2012

Auction night November 2012

As usual, there was eager anticipation for the yearly club auction.
Many fine examples ;0) of bonsai and pre bonsai were bought along so that new custodians could take over their care and development for the future.

This year we had opened up the auction for telephone bids from Japan....unfortunately the satellite link was faulty....or no one bothered ringing !!

Poor Tony, his wife had tied his hands behind his back again to prevent him bidding
Tony wipes a tear from his eye (after breaking loose from his bonds) after assessing the quality trees up for grabs
 Shohin sized auction trees
 Ted inspects an oriental bittersweet (I told you quality goods)
 Tony & Derek checking out the goods
On auction night we also hold an annual competition where club members bring along trees purchased at previous auctions to compete for the Philip Anthony cup.
Larch
 Acer Palmatum
 Cotoneaster
 Privet
Derek (right) accepts the winners cup (for his cotoneaster) from Philip

Sunday 18 November 2012

Club night 1st November

 John's Scots pine
 John's Larch
 Paul's Mulberry
 Mike's Trident Maple K2
 Chris's Larch
 Peter works on his hop Hornbeam group planting
 Derek works on his Ficus
 Caz and Nigel tidying up their trees for the winter
 Maple in autumn colour with suiseki
Tony's Hemlock after a drastic reduction following Mr Warrens last critique at the club
 Tony's mugo pine begins its journey to become a bonsai
 Dave's Pyracantha
Mike's Elm

Sunday 30 September 2012

Ashfield Bonsai Club competition 2012

Thursday 20th September was our yearly competition.
There was a tense atmosphere in the church hall as the competitors eyed up each others trees...

Anyhoo here are some pictures of the trees entered and the winning trees and custodians.

Mike's Azalea
Philip's Ficus
Pete Tomb's Itoigawa Juniper
Chris's Mugo pine
Mike's Olive
Ted's Trident Maple on rock
Pete Tombs Juniper
Pete Goodhead's Maple
Mike's Itoigawa Juniper
 Ted's Maple
 The winning trees from each size category
Derek gazes longingly at the winning trees....is it just me or is Derek developing a lovely set of boobs ?
Pete Tombs is overcome at winning the best shohin tree award
Ted Goodhead receives the award for best chuhin tree
Pete Goodhead receives the awards for best large tree and Best in Competition
Pete & Derek do a quick Charleston to celebrate Pete's award for Best in Competition.

Monday 10 September 2012

Ashfield display at Greenwood Bonsai Studio

We were lucky to be invited to put on a small display of trees last weekend at the Bonsai Bash 2012.
Corin Tomlinson at Greenwood Bonsai Studio kindly offered us some space to display so we jumped at the chance.
Here are a few pictures of our trees on display.

Peter Tomb's Juniper itoigawa
Lovely little ceramic kingfisher on reed
John Brocklehurst's shohin composition of white pine & Chinese elm
Semi cascade white pine
Cork bark Chinese elm
Moss ball with fern
John Brocklehurst's zelkova
Chris Dodds cedar
Collaborative shohin display
Peter Tomb's beautiful itoigawa juniper
John Brocklehurst's potentilla
Mike Rose's zelkova
Corin thinning out  recently imported juniper, there is some great material for sale at the nursery, well worth a visit.
Accent
Accent
Accent
John Pitt's hawthorn raft
Mike Rose's trident maple

We had an enjoyable weekend, and made some new friends and hopefully may gain a new member or two.
Many thanks to Corin & Paul at the Greenwood Bonsai Studio for inviting us to display.
If you're ever in Nottinghamshire make sure you take the time to visit the nursery