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

Sunday 22 March 2015

Peter Warren comes to Ashfield Bonsai Club

Peter Warren joined us at our last meeting.
He critiqued members trees, discussing the positive and negative aspects of each tree and offering possible improvements to the trees owner.
Another thoroughly enjoyable and informative evening was had with all members coming away with a better idea of how to develop their tree further.

Plenty of material for Peter to critique
The Ashfield massive
Lamb to the slaughter
Pete Tomb's Scot's pine
John Pitt's Scots pine
Paul's Berberis, Plan A failed, discussing Plan B
John's Carpinus....before
And after
Caz's Cork bark Maple on rock
Chris Dodd's Trident Maple on rock
Mike Rose's Yew

Tony's Juniper requires a change of angle
Mark's Maple
Paul's white Pine

Derek's Scots pine
Geoff's Mugo pine....before


And after removing several branches
Caz's Maple

Tuesday 3 March 2015

Swindon Winter Image show 2015

Once again the Ashfield massive travelled down to sunny Swindon for the Swindon Winter Image Show 2015.
We were not dissapointed, another fantastic display of bonsai along with excellent trade stands, awesome chicken curry and meeting up with old and new friends.
Her are a few shots of trees and accents that tickled our fancy...well my fancy seeing as I had the camera !
First up the Ashfield Bonsai Club display:

Geoff Bonsers Larch group
Caz's Itoigawa Juniper, John's Potentilla
Caz's Korean Hornbeam
John's Quince & Chinese Elm
Peter's Chinese Elm
Our Chairman Pete Tombs won best accent
The usual comedy shot










Other trees and accents


Awesome Juniper belonging to John Armitage
Privet, again belonging to John Armitage
Quince, again John Armitage
Sekka Hinoki, Andy Jordan
John Pitts killer Trident Maple on rock
John Pitt's Chinese Elm
Mark and Ritta Copers awesome White Pine

Another white pine
Nice bronze accent
Mark & Ritta Coopers Elm
John Armitage carried out a thoroughly entertaining and informative workshop on a Juniper which was given its initial styling and then planted onto a slab type pot
Steve McKee's cracking Scot's pine
Blackthorn
Lovely accent
Andy Jordan's Ilex Serrata
Nice pot
Overview of John Armitages Juniper....rock & roll