Dec 06 - Ken Norman receives Garden Writers Guild Award
Congratulations to Ken Norman whose latest
book entitled ‘Growing Bonsai: A Practical Encyclopedia' was named as the “Enthusiasts' Book Of The Year 2006” by the Garden Writers Guild on 30 November. An enormous achievement for Ken and some worthy recognition for British bonsai. More details
Dec 06 - Obituary
We are sad to announce that
Nick Jacobs, chairman of Newbury & District Bonsai Society, died suddenly on Wednesday 29th November. Those of you who knew Nick will know he was enthusiastic about bonsai, generous in sharing his knowledge and his contribution to his club will be a lasting memorial to him. His funeral will be held at Thatcham crematorium on Friday 8th December at 12:00. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family
More information available via Dave Cleveland, Secretary, Newbury & District Bonsai Society, 0118 983 3188 Newbury & District Bonsai Society.
Oct 06 - Arts Council Concludes Bonsai Is Not Art
After discussions with FoBBS, the Arts Council has decided it can not accept bonsai as an art form. Read more and have your say in the 'Future of Bonsai in the UK' area of the message board
Oct 06 - John Armitage all set for bonsai study in Japan
Overwhelmed by the enormous support from the UK bonsai community John can now realise a life long ambition to study bonsai under a Japanese master early 2007. John has expressed his deepest gratitude to all those who have supported his travel plans in his open letter. We all wish him the greatest success.
John practices his techniques in preparation for his studies
Sep 06 - Bonsai Traders Association To Stage Bonsai Expo 2006
One of largest trade events of the bonsai calender will be held on Sunday 1 October at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. This is a rare opportunity to attend a unique gathering of bonsai traders as well as view a huge bonsai display, suiseki and shohin by the British Shohin Association. A great opportunity to grab a bargain or get that early Christmas present. More details
Sep 06 - Fancy A Trip Of A Lifetime?
For a third year, Japan Journeys will again be conducting their increasingly popular Bonsai Tour of Japan 5-15 February 2007. This tour visits numerous places that infrequent visitors to Japan are likely to find and includes entry to the world famous Kokofu-ten bonsai exhibition. Entirely supported by an experienced guide you will savour many aspects of the Japanese culture. As well as plenty of bonsai to satisfy even the most ardent bonsai fan there are also several guided visits for non-bonsai partners to shops, gardens, temples and restaurants. Thoroughly recommended.
www.japanjourneys.co.uk
Please mention FoBBS when booking
Sep 06 - Mendip Bonsai Studio Wins a String of Awards
News of a series of medal successes for Mendip Bonsai Studio at this years horticultural shows.
Besides their Silver-Gilt at the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show the owner John Trott as achieved a number of other awards that included a Gold medal at each of the 3 RHS Flowers Shows held at Hampton Court, Tatton Park and Wisley.
Not content with this he went on to win Best In Show at The Royal Cornwall Show and more recently Best In Show at the Newbury Show.
John receives his Best in Show trophy for his stand at the Newbury Show - Sep 2006
You can meet John between 23 - 24 Sep at the RHS Malvern Show where he hopes to add to his success.
Show details here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/events/malvern_autumn.asp.
Mendip Bonsai website http://www.mendipbonsai.co.uk/
FoBBS AGM 2006 will be held
on 29 October 2006 (10:00 for 10:30) at:
Mosely Cricket Club
Streetsbrooks Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 3PE
Sep 06 - ABBA's Bonsai Indulgence Weekend
14-15 Oct 06
The Association of British Bonsai Artists (ABBA) has released details of its next event to be held at Failand this October. More details.
Aug 06 - Bonsai Theft Alert
24 high quality bonsai were stolen from a UK premises in the Midlands on Wed 9 Aug 2006. Please be wary of
bonsai being offered for sale unexpectedly. If you suspect the sale may not be legitimate then please contact Stewart Griffins on 07818 258 216
More details here
Aug 06 - Salisbury Bonsai Announces 2007 Show Dates to celebrate 20th Anniversary
Building on a string of Gold medals from the Salisbury Show, Salisbury Bonsai Society has announced they will stage their own
two-day Exhibition at the Red Lion Hotel in Salisbury on the 12 -13 May 2007, opened by the Mayor. Traders and Societies who would like to attend are invited to contact the Secretary on 01722 336401 or the Chairman on 01722 320517, Mob. 07785-565510.
Jun 06 - Chelsea Awards
It was Silver-Gilt medals all round at this years Chelsea Flower Show. The Bonsai Exhibitors were:
- FoBBS
- Mendip Bonsai
- Herons Bonsai
- Bushukan Bonsai
All are commended on their achievement and for representing British Bonsai at such a prestigious event. As ever the bonsai displays drew great interest and admiration from the general public some of whom promised to seek out their nearest society.
May 06 - Obituary
We are sad to announce that Derek Saunders of Newbury & District Bonsai Society died suddenly last
month. His funeral was held on 19 April. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family.
For those who wish to make a charitable donation details can be obtained from Dave Cleveland at Newbury & District Bonsai Society.
April - May 06 - FoBBS 'Springtime Spectacular' Photographic competition.
Spring is a fantastic time of year for our bonsai. New foliage and blossoms never fail to impress so why not get out there a start snapping some of your most impressive displays. Send us your best and we will post them here on the website and there will be a £10 prize for the best. Send entries as a jpg file to the webmaster.
April 2006 - All set for ABBA symposium at Failand, Bristol 7 May
The stage is set for yet another tempting symposium. Two great speakers, innovative tokonoma displays, plus trees, plus sales, plus bonsai friends old and new. In the past these ABBA symposium have been praised for their quality content and entertainment value. A must see for any serious bonsai enthusiast.
For more details and directions click here.
Feb 2006 - Swindon Show a great success
The first show of the season held at Coleview by Swindon & District Bonsai society proved to be a resounding success by all who visited. There were some top quality trees from the societies that exhibited, which included the newly formed British Shohin Association. The final of the new talent competition was held and we now have a UK representative, Peter Evans, for the 2006 European Bonsai Convention in Poland in April. A number of bonsai traders also supported the event offering some real bargains to kick start the growing season. In addition to all this, the event was buzzing with bonsai friends old and new which gave a feeling that UK Bonsai is really back in business.
Feb 2006 - BUKEX North holds great promise
Bukex North, promises to be the largest bonsai exhibition in the UK for 2006. An expected 1500 visitors will attend a one day event at the Bolton School conference Centre on 16 July 2006 Located just 1.2 miles outside of Bolton Town Centre.
This prestigious event will include: Specialist Bonsai Traders, Bonsai Potters, Koi Carp dealers, Oriental Drinks Purveyor, Japanese Gardens Designers, Reiki and Acupuncture practitioners.
Entrance to the entire exhibition is only £3.00 per person including parking.
Event Flier
Jan 2006 - Friends of the National Bonsai Collection display a tempting prize.
This magnificent needle juniper will be the first prize amongst a range of other desirable bonsai items during the FNBC fund raising raffle to be drawn on 30 April 2006. Tickets will be £15 each but limited to 5 tickets per club with only a maximum of 200 tickets in the draw; a fantastic opportunity. For more details e-mail Malcolm Hughes
Jan 2006 - Double award during the 2006 AGM
David Jones (left) is added to the FoBBS Roll of Honour on retiring as Treasurer. He receives the award here from the FoBBS Chairman Reg Bolton. On the same occasion, Joy Williams also received the award as she stepped down as FoBBS Secretary. Their names join many well known bonsai personalities on the roll of honour such as Peter Chan, Dan Barton and Malcolm Hughes. . 
Insurance Premiums Reduced For 2006 - details here
Perhaps ABBA's most successful symposium yet. A generous turnout, top quality presenters and some classic shohin. Read the report summary here.
June 05 - Bonsai Europe Magazine supports FoBBS
Bonsai Europe magazine have kindly offered to publish FoBBS articles in each issue. Anyone with articles or photos suitable for this top quality magazine or if you would like to write on a given topic then e-mail: FoBBS Editor
June 05 - FoBBS Stand at the Gardeners World Live Show June 2005
The FoBBS stand made a popular addition to the National Collection of Plants and Societies arena at the Gardeners World Live Show 14-19 Jun 2005
May 05 - UK New Talent Contest Winner Comes 2nd in Europe
UK's 2005 New Talent Contest Winner, Peter Baldwin, achieved a creditable second at the European New Talent Contest, Arco 2005. A remarkable achievement considering the stiff competition and that Peter is aged 17.
May 05 - EBA Convention 2005
The European Bonsai Association Convention was held at Arco, Lake Garda, Italy 5-8 May 2005. 
May 05 - RHS Chelsea Flower Show 23- 28 May 2005 - FoBBS Receives a Silver Gilt
The FoBBS stand at this years Chelsea Flower Show won a Silver Gilt medal. A fantastic achievement for FoBBS. Congratulations and gratitude to our Chairman and all the helpers for making this happen. Other medals were:
- Herons - Gold (their 21st Chelsea Gold Medal)
- Bonsai Kai - Silver
- Phee Kee - Bronze.
There were many questions from the general public and you can rest assured that those interested were directed to their nearest Society |
