17Oct21 Sun
The Midland Bonsai Society Annual Show
Birmingham Botanical Gardens,
Westbourne Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham. B15 3TR.
(in association with Redditch Bonsai Society.)
This event did not take place at all in 2020 due to lockdown and in 2021 was for the same reason postponed from its usual date in early June until Sunday 17th October. Members were therefore extremely pleased that the event was able to go ahead when it did.
The event took place at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is a very fitting venue giving visitors and indeed members of both societies the ability to enjoy not only the show but also the splendour of the surrounding gardens themselves and the trees held in the National Bonsai Collection.
An early start is always called for on show day but by about 10.00 a.m. everything was in place except the weather. The weeks prior to the event had been relatively dry and bright but Sunday dawned cloudy and wet so things got off to a slow start but eventually the weather improved and visitors started to arrive. Part of the fun involves an invitation to the public to vote for their favourite tree so by the simple expedient of counting all the voting slips we were able to know that at least 200 people came through the show. Given that a fair proportion of visitors would probably not bother to participate in the voting however, we reckon that the actual number of attendees was much higher.
The show itself comprised:-
1. MBS members’ trees in competition in various classes
2. Display of MBS members trees, but not in competition, and some trees in their very “early” stages of development.
3. Display of accent plants and suiseki.
4. Display of Redditch Bonsai trees, and
5. A popular Tombola.
The trees in competition were kindly judged by Jonathan Moult, former MBS member and now of Stourbridge Bonsai. He also generously gave a short talk to the public about the care of Acers and there were also talks by MBS/Redditch Chair, Judith Davison on “Photography of Bonsai” and by MBS member Alex Watt on “Bonsai for beginners”.
The show was supported by David Cheshire of David Cheshire Nurseries with his extensive “shop” of all things bonsai.. We also welcomed, for the first time, Sharon Black of Funky Fish Ceramics from Crewe with her eclectic range of bonsai pots. Both traders expressed their satisfaction with the day’s business!
All in all I think a good day was had by all. It was very satisfying to welcome many members of other local societies to our show. Next year we hope to see you in June at the 2022 event.
The Midland Bonsai Society Annual Show
Birmingham Botanical Gardens,
Westbourne Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham. B15 3TR.
(in association with Redditch Bonsai Society.)
This event did not take place at all in 2020 due to lockdown and in 2021 was for the same reason postponed from its usual date in early June until Sunday 17th October. Members were therefore extremely pleased that the event was able to go ahead when it did.
The event took place at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is a very fitting venue giving visitors and indeed members of both societies the ability to enjoy not only the show but also the splendour of the surrounding gardens themselves and the trees held in the National Bonsai Collection.
An early start is always called for on show day but by about 10.00 a.m. everything was in place except the weather. The weeks prior to the event had been relatively dry and bright but Sunday dawned cloudy and wet so things got off to a slow start but eventually the weather improved and visitors started to arrive. Part of the fun involves an invitation to the public to vote for their favourite tree so by the simple expedient of counting all the voting slips we were able to know that at least 200 people came through the show. Given that a fair proportion of visitors would probably not bother to participate in the voting however, we reckon that the actual number of attendees was much higher.
The show itself comprised:-
1. MBS members’ trees in competition in various classes
2. Display of MBS members trees, but not in competition, and some trees in their very “early” stages of development.
3. Display of accent plants and suiseki.
4. Display of Redditch Bonsai trees, and
5. A popular Tombola.
The trees in competition were kindly judged by Jonathan Moult, former MBS member and now of Stourbridge Bonsai. He also generously gave a short talk to the public about the care of Acers and there were also talks by MBS/Redditch Chair, Judith Davison on “Photography of Bonsai” and by MBS member Alex Watt on “Bonsai for beginners”.
The show was supported by David Cheshire of David Cheshire Nurseries with his extensive “shop” of all things bonsai.. We also welcomed, for the first time, Sharon Black of Funky Fish Ceramics from Crewe with her eclectic range of bonsai pots. Both traders expressed their satisfaction with the day’s business!
All in all I think a good day was had by all. It was very satisfying to welcome many members of other local societies to our show. Next year we hope to see you in June at the 2022 event.
