10&11Jun23 Sat & Sun
Mid-Herts Bonsai Society
Kingsbury Barn, Branch Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. AL3 4SE.
This was the 11th Annual Show Mid Herts has held at Kingsbury Barn. This venue is a 14th Century barn originally owned by the monastery attached to the Abbey in St. Albans and used as a grain store. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the mid16th Century by Henry VIII it has been used for many things, the last use before the current owners restored it was as a dairy. The Owners Jill and Adam Singer lend the Barn free of charge to many local organisations. We are so lucky.
It seems very fitting to show an ancient art in such a setting, the old timbers and bricks a perfect foil for the simulated age and beauty of manicured Bonsai trees. The Mid Herts show ‘Mission Statement’ is to highlight the ‘do-ability’ of Bonsai as a hobby, with trees developed from basic materials as well as the more sophisticated purchased trees. 48 trees were shown, lots of different styles, ages and species.
The theme chosen for 2023 explained the names for all of the Bonsai sizes recognised in Japan, with a poster describing each. Only two of these names are commonly used in Europe – Mame (up to 15cm), and Shohin (up to 30cm) Each name represents the number of hands needed to lift one. Many non-Bonsai visitors expect ‘Bonsai Trees’ to be about 30cm tall, with an S bend, a pointy top, and to be used as an indoor pot plant. We aim to demonstrate otherwise! Seven examples were shown of trees covering most of the sizes described. No members own an “Imperial”, typically used as a courtyard tree requiring 4 people or 8 hands to lift.
Demonstrations were popular as the trees being worked on were large collected pines – and challenging! Help is always available and members fielded queries from visitors. Sales of pots, tools and wire were offered by club President Peter Shields, and sales of starter trees, were provided by club members. Refreshments - drinks and home-made cakes were enjoyed in a newly acquired seating area where visitors and members engaged in lively conversations about our favourite subject! Visitor numbers were down on last year due we think to the Half Marathon held around St Albans on the Sunday morning with road closures being most disruptive.
Mid-Herts Bonsai Society
10&11Jun23 Sat & Sun
Mid-Herts Bonsai Society
Kingsbury Barn, Branch Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. AL3 4SE.
This was the 11th Annual Show Mid Herts has held at Kingsbury Barn. This venue is a 14th Century barn originally owned by the monastery attached to the Abbey in St. Albans and used as a grain store. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the mid16th Century by Henry VIII it has been used for many things, the last use before the current owners restored it was as a dairy. The Owners Jill and Adam Singer lend the Barn free of charge to many local organisations. We are so lucky.
It seems very fitting to show an ancient art in such a setting, the old timbers and bricks a perfect foil for the simulated age and beauty of manicured Bonsai trees. The Mid Herts show ‘Mission Statement’ is to highlight the ‘do-ability’ of Bonsai as a hobby, with trees developed from basic materials as well as the more sophisticated purchased trees. 48 trees were shown, lots of different styles, ages and species.
The theme chosen for 2023 explained the names for all of the Bonsai sizes recognised in Japan, with a poster describing each. Only two of these names are commonly used in Europe – Mame (up to 15cm), and Shohin (up to 30cm) Each name represents the number of hands needed to lift one. Many non-Bonsai visitors expect ‘Bonsai Trees’ to be about 30cm tall, with an S bend, a pointy top, and to be used as an indoor pot plant. We aim to demonstrate otherwise! Seven examples were shown of trees covering most of the sizes described. No members own an “Imperial”, typically used as a courtyard tree requiring 4 people or 8 hands to lift.
Demonstrations were popular as the trees being worked on were large collected pines – and challenging! Help is always available and members fielded queries from visitors. Sales of pots, tools and wire were offered by club President Peter Shields, and sales of starter trees, were provided by club members. Refreshments - drinks and home-made cakes were enjoyed in a newly acquired seating area where visitors and members engaged in lively conversations about our favourite subject! Visitor numbers were down on last year due we think to the Half Marathon held around St Albans on the Sunday morning with road closures being most disruptive.
Mid-Herts Bonsai Society
MHBC How Big – The MHBC Show theme 2023
MHBC Banksian Azalea – owned by the 2022 winner of the MHBC RHS Banksian Medal
MHBC Mame1 – A selection from our Mame tree display
MHBC Keynote tree – a spreading Oak tree, root over rock
Lindas Acer
View down the barn
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