Please find below and attached our April 2025 Newsletter.
REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of June 2025.
EDITOR’S REMARKS.
The show is bearing down on us at a rate of knots. So far, as at 27th May, we have had entries for a
reasonable number of trees but from only a surprisingly small number of members. Once again we
urge you to let Alex/us know whether you are going to enter trees either for competition, or display
only – possibly on the Redditch stand. We remind you that this event is an opportunity for both
Societies to “present” itself and its hobby/craft to the wider public and, who knows, we may even
encourage a few visitors to join one of the societies. (Latest at 2/6. This has improved now!)
We have been trying to emphasise to members that trees do not have to be of exhibition quality. If
all the trees were thus the public would simply think that they would not feel able to achieve such
“heights” so, why bother?
You are reminded that David Cheshire, well, his brother, will be joining us as usual. Funky Fish
can’t make it this year and your Show Secretary, Dave Attwood, has arranged for Holden
Ceramics to bring along their fine pots, so this year there will be a selection of larger wares for
your delight rather than the rather smaller pots presented by Sharon of Funky Fish.
Another feature of the Show this year involves FOBBS in that it has been agreed that their “New
Talent” Competition will be run alongside our show. Their event will take place, apparently, in the
other main area next to the main greenhouse, aka the “Garden Suite”. With a bit of luck this may
generate more “customers” for our show. See below for practical issues relating to the event.
BLUEBELL WALK.
Our grateful thanks to Malcolm Beach for organising his walk around the Beacon Wood at the
“back” of the Lickey Hills a few Saturdays ago. The weather was kind to us and a determined
group gathered just after lunch to enjoy a delightful ramble around the hill. The bluebells were
magnificent and Malcolm was, as usual, a mine of information about the natural world.
COTTERED JAPANESE GARDEN.
What a treat this trip turned out to be! Over 20 members and guests assembled on Sunday 25th May
and set off in good weather for this trip. The Garden is only opened once or twice a year to invited
groups and, amongst others, we shared the grounds with the Japanese Garden Society.
The Garden was a delight and on such a large scale! Water, one of the essential elements, was
everywhere, either in ponds, streams or waterfalls. The tree canopy provided appropriate shade
and any number of stone features enhanced our appreciation. Apart from a tea house or two there
was a larger 2 storey building which offered a panoramic view of the grounds from the upper floor.
It was fully equipped and could apparently be rented for £200.00 per night.
Harry Harrington had brought along some of his trees which were dotted around the site which
added to the overall effect.
Our thanks to David C for suggesting that the trip might be worthwhile but also special thanks
to Teanah who organised the whole thing. Well done!
COMING UP AT MBS.
The meeting on Thursday 5th June offers an opportunity for everyone to discuss/make final
preparations for the show but there will also be an item about Pruning and Defoliation. I was about
to have a go at pinching a Juniper Communis the other day but decided to have a look on the
internet first. Apparently pinching is not now recommended at all. Now, there’s a subject for
discussion! So, come prepared for some action on your trees.
COMING UP AT REDDITCH BONSAI.
It looks as if Pruning/Defoliation is a big subject this year as it appears in the Redditch programme
this month too! Members’ trees as displayed or as show winners should be on parade too.
BONSAI TIP OF THE MONTH.
A good idea, if you can remember, is to try and rotate your trees from time to time, to ensure even
growth all round. I have also been protecting my trees from the worst of the sun with a canopy of
shade netting. Express Polythene, in Barford Street, have just the thing- they sell it as a cover for
skips!
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH.
Next year’s foxgloves and sweet williams should be well on the way now. During the recent dry
weather I have been holding back setting out annuals grown for their flowers on the allotment but
I shall now be getting them in to the ground as soon as possible. The chrysanthemums and dahlias
are also all in now. Some gardeners leave their dahlias in the ground, well covered. I have never
been a fan of this method, preferring to lift, drain and dry the tubers before storing in a frost free
place.
F.N.B.C. “OPEN DAY” AT THE GARDENS.
You may remember that last year the two societies supported the Friends by manning a table in the
foyer of the gardens on two separate Sundays in order to promote the “National Collection” This of
course gave members a chance to promote not only the collection but also the MBS and Redditch!
Unfortunately neither day was blessed with good weather and footfall was appalling. This year we
have decided to amalgamate our efforts with both Societies running the event on the same day and
instead of Sundays in April and September we have chosen June. Brian Cooke is organising the
overall event and he will expect support from members of both societies to make this a success.
(especially now that Judith has found the fliers that went “missing” after last year’s show). So,
please let Brian know that you can offer him some support (Redditch members can let me know) –
the date being the last Sunday in June.
The Bluebell Group and a general view of Cottered Garden.
PRACTICAL ISSUES CONCERNING THE SHOW – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ.
The FOBBS New Talent competition will not now be taking place in the Palm Lounge but in the
Garden Suite. There will be access to this area from the Greenhouses and visitors will be able to
then walk through the long narrow bar area (apparently known as the “Palm Lounge”) to then
gain access to our show although the other doors to the Lounge will also be open as well, so there
will be 2 points of entry.
The Gardens have said that this year we cannot place the traders where we have usually put them.
Something to do with fire exits – but for the life of me I can’t think that there are any such exits on
that side of the room apart from the main door. So, the traders will be in the Palm Lounge which
will, in a way, perhaps be an improvement, but let’s wait and see.
Car parking. All members will be responsible for entering their vehicle registration number in the
computer in the Gardens’ foyer – otherwise you will get a fine! It may not be possible to do this
before 10.00 a.m. apparently.
Looks as if access will be as last year. The entrance into the Terrace Suite off the street is only for
traders. Dave Attwood will expand on all these issues on Thursday.
ANOTHER GRATEFUL MEMBER’S THOUGHTS.
Bluebell Walk by Teanah Rowland.
During the May Day Bank Holiday weekend a small group of us gathered for a nature
walk around Beacon Wood Nature Reserve at the Lickeys with our resident expert,
Malcolm Beach, as a guide.
We were treated to a blanket of bluebells speckled by sunlight through the canopy. Jins,
Sharis and nebaris galore!
There are plenty of native tree species which are very well established, along with wild
flowers and fungi. It was very informative listening to Malcolm’s wealth of knowledge.
There have been a few trees brought down by storms, revealing their root systems.
Thankfully, we were at the top as a beautiful old oak decided to drop a bow lower down
the hill.
AND ANOTHER.
The trip to the Garden House at Cottered. Our heartfelt thanks must go to Teanah for arranging
this trip. Well done Teanah.It was very enjoyable, it is a beautiful garden and we were blessed by
good weather, which always helps. I am pretty sure that everyone who went, enjoyed it, I hope as
much as I did! It’s just a pity that it’s such a long way away as it would be nice to go again, perhaps
in the autumn, though the spring colours were also beautiful.
Judith.
R and A Gilkes. 2nd June 2025.