Ashfield Bonsai Club: July 2011

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

Monday, 25 July 2011

Mr Kimura's nursery

After lunch at a fantastic restaurant we made our way to Mr Kimura's garden / nursery

Fish & Chips Japanese style

Beautiful Ikebana display (yes I do have a cultured side)

Mr Kimura surrounded by the motley crew, if you look closely you can see John Pitt picking Mr Kimura's pocket...at least that's what I thought he was doing !

White Pine planted on rock

Juniper

Juniper planted on rock

Black Pine

Juniper

Quince

Crytomeria group planting on rock

Juniper

If you want to see more pictures from our trip to Japan, follow the link from this site to John Pitts website. From there you can link to his album of photographs.

Saturday, 23 July 2011

Pete Warren tree critique 21st July 2011

The great thing about these critique nights, (apart from getting the chance to take the pi**), is that Pete takes you through design elements, horticultural requirements, planning for the next 12 months etc etc for all the different species we take along.

Chris's maple

Geoffs air layered chinese elm

John's pine

Johns hawthorne

John yew

Marks root on rock azalea

Mikes field maple

Pauls privet

Petes azalea

Philips white pine

Tonys pine

We find these nights invaluble for future development and styling of our bonsai.
A critique night for your club with Pete Warren is highly recommended.

Sunday, 17 July 2011

TOJU-EN NURSERY, JAPAN 2010

Toju-en was the second nursery we visited during our trip. This is the nursery where Mr Kimura spent his apprenticeship with Mr Hamano.

The entrance to the nursery

Japanese Quince

Prunus

White Pine

Maple ??

White Pine

Our tour guide Yoshi (centre), this guy is really helpful, and organised a fantastic day for us.
The little shack (above Yoshi's head) was where Mr Kimura lived during his time on the nursery.