28&29May Taunton & Somerset Bonsai Club Annual Show
Willowbrook Nursery and garden centre, West Buckland, Wellington, Somerset TA21 9HX
The last weekend in May has traditionally been the time for Taunton and Somerset Bonsai Club to hold their summer show at Willowbrook Nursery and Garden Centre. However like all other clubs, the pandemic put a hold on such gatherings and it has been three years since the good public of Somerset and afar, have been able to enjoy over 40 trees and accent plantings from the collections of our club members. Thankfully both the set up, on the Friday and the two show days passed in glorious sunshine, resulting in a constant stream of visitors on both days.
As with most shows, there was a wide variety of interest and experience amongst the visitors and it was nice to see both novices, “never done bonsai befores” and experienced practitioners, including a couple of chairmen from other clubs, looking at our displays and chatting with our show guides. We hope to see a few of those visitors turn into members over the coming months.
We also held a “Bonsai clinic” for members of the public to bring along their ailing trees and get some advice from experienced club members. This was the first time that we have included this element and it proved very successful. Interestingly not all the trees fell into the expected category of “supermarket indoor bonsai” and hopefully they will all respond to the advice provided.
Sadly the time passed far too quickly and it was time to pack up, and pack up we did, in the rain. Rain of Biblical proportions that left us all soaked but strangely with smiling faces and talking about next year’s show. And if you happen to be in the vicinity of Taunton during the last weekend in May 2023, pop in and see us. You won’t be disappointed.
--- Alistair Hodgson
Willowbrook Nursery and garden centre, West Buckland, Wellington, Somerset TA21 9HX
The last weekend in May has traditionally been the time for Taunton and Somerset Bonsai Club to hold their summer show at Willowbrook Nursery and Garden Centre. However like all other clubs, the pandemic put a hold on such gatherings and it has been three years since the good public of Somerset and afar, have been able to enjoy over 40 trees and accent plantings from the collections of our club members. Thankfully both the set up, on the Friday and the two show days passed in glorious sunshine, resulting in a constant stream of visitors on both days.
As with most shows, there was a wide variety of interest and experience amongst the visitors and it was nice to see both novices, “never done bonsai befores” and experienced practitioners, including a couple of chairmen from other clubs, looking at our displays and chatting with our show guides. We hope to see a few of those visitors turn into members over the coming months.
We also held a “Bonsai clinic” for members of the public to bring along their ailing trees and get some advice from experienced club members. This was the first time that we have included this element and it proved very successful. Interestingly not all the trees fell into the expected category of “supermarket indoor bonsai” and hopefully they will all respond to the advice provided.
Sadly the time passed far too quickly and it was time to pack up, and pack up we did, in the rain. Rain of Biblical proportions that left us all soaked but strangely with smiling faces and talking about next year’s show. And if you happen to be in the vicinity of Taunton during the last weekend in May 2023, pop in and see us. You won’t be disappointed.
--- Alistair Hodgson
Photos courtesy of Alistair Hodgson