Tag Archives: Newsletter

June 2025 – MBS & RBS Newsletter

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.

April 2025 – MBS & RBS Newsletter

Please find below and attached our April 2025 Newsletter.

REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of April 2025.
EDITOR’S REMARKS.
Once again we have to say that there has been precious little contribution from members to this
publication. We shall not be inclined, in those circumstances, to publish so many newsletters in the
future.
COMING UP AT THE MBS.
The May meeting will be all about SHOW PREPARATION and will be supported by MALCOLM
HUGHES.
COMING UP AT REDDITCH BONSAI.
This week’s meeting will be about WIRING and we hope that members will be able to make a
contribution detailing their approach to this subject.
The June meeting will be about PRUNING AND DEFOLIATION. We also hope that any
members who won prizes/commendations at the MBS show will bring their trees along to this
meeting.
WILDLIFE/BLUEBELL WALK.
Malcolm Beach will be leading his WALK ON THE WILDSIDE on the first Saturday in May,
which is Saturday 3rd May. The plan is to meet at or near to the entrance of the wood in
Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash, just up the road from Singletons Nursery. The road comes to a
dead end there and there is adequate parking. Meeting time will be 1.00 p.m. and afterwards we
plan to have a cuppa at Singletons Nursery. Their postcode is B61 0HT. Do support tyhis venture
by Malcolm.
VISIT TO COTTERED JAPANESE GARDEN.
This visit remains planned for Sunday 25th May and Teanah will be sending out details in due
course.
THE ANNUAL SHOW.
This remains fixed for Sunday 8th June and Dave Attwood, Show Secretary will be in touch in due
course, but keep this date in your diary.
OTHER OPEN DAYS/DISPLAY TABLES PLANNED.
We intend to participate at an event, ( ?Rare Plant Sale) at Winterbourne Garden, Edgbaston on
Sunday 13th July. More details from Dave in due course.
We are also hoping to participate in an event being planned by Singletons Nursery at Lydiate Ash
– no date yet fixed for this. Watch this space!
The society may also agree to man a table at the Botanical Gardens on behalf of FOBBS – again no
date yet fixed.
BONSAI TIP OF THE MONTH.
It’s windy again – so watch that your trees don’t dry out. There are differing views about whether
you should refrain from applying fertiliser to trees for c. 4 weeks after repotting, but since your
re-potting has no doubt already taken place just get on with it.
GARDENING TIP OF THE MONTH.
Get those seed packets open and their contents set in an appropriate mix of compost. It’s not too
late to take Chrysanthemum cuttings. Start Dahlia tubers into growth. Plant some
gladioli/crocosmia. If on the allotment, or we suppose in the garden, plant successively to give a
longer display/time for cutting. Plant 2nd early spuds and underplant slower growing veg with
something like RADISH to make best use of space. Also:-
 Make sure your greenhouse is pest free, and open vents on warm days to promote good air
circulation.
 Aerate your lawn and apply a combined feed, weed and moss treatment to get it into condition
for summer.
 As the soil starts to warm up, now’s a good time to plant perennials for beautiful colour that
will come back year after year.
 Declare all-out war on the slugs and snails.
 Tie climbing roses and clematis in to supports.
Richard and Angela Gilkes 15th April 2025

February 2025 – MBS & RBS Newsletter

REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
Edition of late February 2025.
Editor’s remarks.
Well, I am afraid that it has not been such a good start to the year here. I contracted a
bit of a cough in early January and that developed into the virulent Influenza A
which is going around. This put me in hospital for a few days and the whole thing
has left me a bit washed out to say the least.
We did however manage to get a programme put together for the MBS and it’s hoped
that this will be something that you can all warm to as the year progresses. We still
have to finalise the Redditch programme but we are getting there and as I write it’s
hoped that it will be completed and agreed by all at the AGM due on 20th February.
Late in January we were approached by Malcolm Hughes wearing his FOBBS hat.
You may remember that they run a New Talent competition, in fact we seem to
remember that one or two of our members may have taken part in the past. Malcolm
asked whether we would mind if FOBBS ran this year’s competition alongside our
Annual Show in June. His proposal was to try and persuade the Botanical Gardens to
allow the use of the bar area between the two main function rooms for this exercise,
so that their activities would not take up any space that we might otherwise be using
in our hall. The Committee were asked to consider this and have agreed that
Malcolm’s proposal be acceded to. He has been asked to liase with Show Secretary
Dave Attwood to move things along.
Coming up at the MBS.
March 6th is the date for the next meeting and features Repotting and Root pruning.
If we are correct David Cheshire will be helping out at this meeting.
Coming up at Redditch Bonsai.
As mentioned above we have the AGM this coming Thursday 20th February and we
hope that this edition will be published before then and that as many current
members as possible will attend. Redditch has never been as large in membership
terms as the MBS and unfortunately we have lost a number of members recently for
one reason or another. Efforts have been made to garner new people but it’s just not
that easy and frankly of late people have tended to drift in and then drift out again
quite quickly. It’s all very disappointing. No-one wants to see the Society fold but
Treasurer Wes is getting quite despondent about the whole thing. You will hear what
he has to say on Thursday.
The meeting will accordingly comprise:- 1. The AGM, 2. Discussion about the 2025
programme, 3.Discussion about the future,,and 4. If there is time a look at any trees
brought along by members,
Bonsai tip of the month.
Due to my indisposition I have hardly been outside in this cold weather, but I have
managed to keep my trees watered and sheltered from the worst of the weather. It’s
time to think about re-potting. Make sure that you have all the soils that you require
and have clearly identified all the trees which you wish to deal with this year. We
know that some members keep meticulous notes about each tree in their collection
but we are afraid that doesn’t include us! We do however know which trees were
re-potted in years gone by so when the time comes we can make decisions about this
year based not only on the individual tree’s performance in 2024 but also its potting
history.
Gardening tip of the month.
We are growing quite a few Amaryllis this year and they have now been in the
relative warmth of the dining room for several weeks and are already developing
flower stalks. We are hoping for a good display. Keep them reasonably well watered
and give a regular feed.
If you have them in the garden then get outside and enjoy the snowdrops! Ours are
just coming into flower although they have been threatening to do so for some time
now. It’s just been too cold for them. Another favourite is the Spring Snowflake,
Lecojum Vernum – which is also appearing just now. Garden centres may sell these
in small pots of 4/5 bulbs and they can be good value giving instant flowering if
planted now.
We made a short burst down to the allotment earlier in the week and found enough
daffodils to make a splendid display, although they took a few days to actually
blossom in the vase.
Time to order seeds, and other “stuff” for the coming year. Try Chiltern Seeds for the
former – they have an excellent and very extensive catalogue.
Here’s a picture of a lovely little tree given to Alex at Christmas. It may already of
course have been displayed at either the January or February meeting. I see that I am
not the only one who sometimes forgets to take the price tag off!
(There was also a copy of Peter Adams’s “The Art of Bonsai” which, although a bit
long in the tooth now, still has a wealth of good advice etc within!)
Websites.
It looks as if we missed off the address of a couple of websites when we published
the January supplement.
To put that right, here they are:-

  1. Deadwood (January)
    https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/stylingdeadwood
  2. Soils (February)
    https://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/bonsai-care/bonsai-soil
    All day workshop.
    We are, as you will have already read in the supplementary Newsletter in January,
    thinking /proposing to organise an all day Workshop at the Cricket Club, probably
    on a Sunday.
    Is anyone interested? Do please let us know as soon as possible. The Cricket Club
    have agreed to allow the use of the room, so if there enough members interested it’s
    just a question of organising a date.
    We look forward to hearing from you.
    This event would also be open to Redditch members.
    Membership update.
    Your membership secretary, Teanah, would really like to hear from all those 2024
    members who have not yet committed to 2025 and paid their subscription. So, do get
    in touch and let her know your intentions. You know who you are! Teanah is missing
    you!
    New arrangements.
    Your Committee would like to hear from you if you have any comments or
    suggestions about the new approach to monthly meetings.
    Advertising.
    We regret to say that we have not yet received, as far as we know, any “entries” or
    suggested designs for the proposed car sticker. Does no-one have an idea or three for
    this venture?
    Trip to Cottered Japoanese Garden and elsewhere.
    This day out to Cottered is scheduled for May 25th. Teanah is organising things for us
    and we are sure that she will soon be in touch to set out her full proposals for the day.
    M.B. This trip is of course open to both MBS and Redditch members
    Judging by comments made about the venue by David Cheshire your participation
    will be well rewarded.
    Teanah has also been trying to organise a return trip to the Bonsai expert, John Pitt in
    Derbyshire. We are afraid that she has unfortunately drawn a blank here, as it
    appears that John has “retired” from all things Bonsai.
    Malcolm Beach’s Bluebell Walk.
    As you will also see from your programme Malcolm is proposing to lead a jaunt
    around the back of the Lickey Hills to view the bluebells when in flower. This will
    be on the first Saturday of the month of May which is 3rd May So, the month will be
    a busy one.
    We (A and I) took part in the last outing a couple of years ago and thoroughly
    enjoyed the afternoon as Malcolm has a wealth of knowledge about the natural
    world which he is only too happy to impart.
    We would urge members to support this initiative by Malcolm.
    Accordingly please let us know if you are interested in participating.
    If we are not mistaken the afternoon will start from Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash,
    near Singletons Nursery. This road is now pretty quiet and parking should not be a
    problem.
    R and A Gilkes. Ed. February 14th 2025.

January 2025 – MBS & RBS Newsletter

REDDITCH BONSAI
www.midlandbonsai.org www.redditchbonsai.co.uk
SUPPLEMENTARY NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025.
The sole purpose of this Supplementary Newsletter is to inform MBS members
about the programme for 2025. Please study it carefully. Any comments would be
welcome. Redditch members will hear from us early next week!
The Society is adopting a new approach to life as we know it in 2025!
There will be attached to this Supplementary Newsletter a Programme of events for

  1. What follows is intended as a commentary upon and explanation of changes
    being made and new additions to the programme.
    The key feature of all this, however, is that there will be more emphasis on a
    practical approach to Bonsai. Each meeting, more or less, will comprise a short talk
    on a particular subject/aspect of Bonsai followed by a practical workshop session
    with more experienced members and/or invited guest speakers offering help and
    guidance to members as desired. So far we have spoken with David Cheshire and
    Malcolm Hughes about these changes and they are both ready and willing to support
    you in this way. Please refer to the attached programme for full details of each
    meeting.
    Here, in no particular order, are some comments/explanations of the proposals.
    The Society reaches 50 years of age this year. Judging from the Minutes in our
    possession the first meetings took place in late 1975 with the first AGM held in
    December 1976. So, your committee has decided to hold an “Anniversary Social
    Evening” which will take place at the Cricket Club on Thursday 2nd October 2025.
    Brian Cooke has agreed to organise the event and will be forming a sub-committee
    of members to assist him. More details of final proposals to follow in due course.
    The Club’s Annual Show will take place on Sunday 8th June. David Attwood has
    been appointed Show Secretary for this event and indeed any other similar events
    that we decide to organise. He too will be forming a “show sub-committee”.
    For new members who do not have any or only one or two trees we propose to
    donate a “starter tree” free of charge by way of encouragement.
    We hope to organise at least one “All Day Workshop”, probably on a Sunday from
    say 10.00 until c. 4.00 when members may “come and go” as they choose.
    Teanah Rowland is organising Trips for us this year. She has already fixed 25th May
    2025 for a trip to the world renowned Cottered Japanese Garden” near Stevenage,
    Herts. One bonus of visiting on that day is that the collection of the well known
    Bonsai Artist, Harry Harrington, will be on display there. More details of the trip to
    follow from Teanah in due course but put the date in your diary. Redditch members
    are of course to be invited to join in the fun.
    Teanah is also trying to organise a return trip to the garden of renowned expert,
    bonsai artist and pot maker, John Pitt, in Derbyshire. Watch this space for more on
    that.
    Teanah will also shortly be asking you to think about the Tombola at the show by
    suggesting that you put aside any “unwanted or unused” presents to swell the prizes
    on offer.
    She is also to organise a “Bottle Prize Draw” in house. Every bottle donated is given
    a number. Every member gets a ticket. An equal number of prizes and tickets so
    everyone wins something. Simple! There might well be a small entry fee! Let’s see?
    Malcolm Beach has very kindly agreed to organise a ramble around the “backside”
    of the Lickey Hills in the early part of May (a Saturday or Sunday afternoon) in
    delightful woods called Beacon Wood and Chadwich Wood. Well worth the effort,
    so please support Malcolm.
    Advertising. We have one or two ideas about this, You have, no doubt, already
    started designing your entry for the sticker competition, so we will see how many
    entries come forward for judging before embarking on any other similar ventures.,
    which might include pens, badges, coasters and keyrings.
    Other comments upon the programme and notes attached:-
    David Cheshire and Malcolm Hughes will be on hand on the dates identified.
    The websites noted are there to enable you to do some background reading upon the
    subject of the month’s meeting.
    A further copy of David Cheshire’s Soil Notes will be circulated in the early new
    year.
    The words “Committee Meeting” in notes to several months simply serve as an aide
    memoir to your secretary to think about organising a meeting around that date if
    required. The committee meeting would not take place at the cricket club on the
    night of the monthly meeting.
    Here are the details of the 2025 Programme.
    Our monthly meetings will offer an initial talk from our experienced members, or a
    guest speaker, followed by guided workshops and help with members’ trees.
    Month Meeting Activity Notes
    January 9th Membership update
    Deadwood – Jin & shari
    workshop – led by DA & BC
    Donations request: Tombola, raffle &
    bottle prize draw.
    February 6th Bonsai soil & feed mix –
    sharing practice.
    Membership update
    March 6th Repotting & root pruning –
    David Cheshire
    Membership update
    April 3rd Wiring workshop – David
    Cheshire
    May 1st Show preparation – Malcolm
    Hughes
    Bank Holiday Bluebell woodland walk –
    Malcolm Beach
    25th Visit to Cottered Japanese Garden
    June 5th Show classifications
    Pruning & defoliation
    Final show prep
    Sunday 8th June = show
    July 3rd Accent plants
    August 7th Rock planting & building
    landscapes – Malcolm Hughes
    September
    4th
    Autumn colour art workshop –
    paint & other media
    Crafting trees from wire, painting pictures
    of your trees & sketching your trees.
    David Attwood, Brian Cooke & Teanah
    Rowland
    October 2nd 50th Anniversary Social
    November
    6th
    Winter prep Committee Meeting
    December
    4th
    AGM, Mince pies & Quiz
    BRING YOUR TREES WITH YOU!
    You will have ample time to work on them, get advice and maybe even show them
    off!
    Your committee sincerely hopes that you will find this new approach useful,
    interesting and enjoyable. As ever, feedback would be much appreciated.
    Richard and Angela Gilkes. 3rd January 2025.