FoBBS News Pages from Bonsai Focus Magazine 2009

Deadline dates for Bonsai Focus articles 2009:

Jun 09 - FoBBS Goes To Chelsea: A Behind the Scenes Report

Ever wondered what it takes to put on a medal winning display at an RHS show? Then read on.

But first a big thank you to all those who helped to organise, exhibit and steward the FoBBS display at this years Chelsea Flower Show.

Those who contributed were:

Download a full illustrated report on FoBBS build up to the Chelsea Flower Show in

FoBBS Goes To Chelsea

Jun 09 - Summer Show Season Underway

There are plenty of bonsai shows lined up this month as we lead into the summer season. These are a great way to seek inspiration, catch up with bonsai friends as well as support the show organisers. This month culminates with the BTA Show at Capel Manor which will have the added attraction of dedicated display of kusamono bonsai by the Kusamono Club UK. Come along and see a great way to arrange plants for a summer display in the home.

Kusamono as an accent plant

May 09 - FoBBS Achieves Another Chelsea Gold Medal

After a hectic build up to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, your Federation was awarded its second Gold medal in as many years. This brings to six the number of Chelsea gold medals that FoBBS has won since starting to exhibit at this prestigious flower show 12 years ago. Their winning formula is illustrated below but success relies heavily on the high quality trees that are kindly loaned by FoBBS members from around the country.

As you might expect the stand drew many admiring remarks as well as a stream of questions about the trees age, provenance and refinement. Most enquirers have been directed to this website to search for advice, traders and their nearest club from within these pages.

Other medal winners were, Bushukan Bonsai: Gold Medal, Mendip Bonsai Studio: Silver Gilt Flora and Bonsai Kai: Silver medal.

Above, Bushukan's Winning Stand at the Chelsea Flower Show

Part of the Mendip Bonsai Studio Chelsea Stand that was awarded a commendable Silver Gilt Flora medal.

Bonsai Kai was a awarded a Silver medal as the only bonsai club exhibiting at this years Chelsea Show.

Discuss the results on-line within your Forum

May 09 - Wessex Show is Packed With Quality Exhibits

It is not often that we can report on a show that is fast developing its own unique character as a centre for excellent bonsai displays held within a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. This was the case with the Wessex Show held last weekend 3 May and which now attracts exhibitors from a wide cachment area and includes the best displays on offer from Dragon Bonsai, Salisbury, Phoenix Bonsai, New Dawn, Solent Bonsai , Eastleigh Bonsai , Swindon Bonsai and Newbury and District. With this amount of support there was certainly plenty to see for everyone and of course there was a whole room of bonsai traders. Along with excellent catering facilities this allowed the opportunity for visitors to catch up with old friends over the ever popular homemade cakes and sandwiches.

Together with many eye catching exhibits that included an outstanding wisteria and highly refined bonsai (see gallery) there were also some distinctive exhibits that demonstrated a unique approach to creating and displaying bonsai. You can view these within our art and artists section and discuss merits of exploring the boundaries of bonsai design within the forum.

Apr 09 - FoBBS Promotion Follows EGM

In response to comments raised during the EGM last month, FoBBS has published its first promotional document. It is hoped this will explain some of the benefits of FoBBS membership as well as a few of its aspirations. Download here. (Requires Adobe Reader 7.0 or better, follow link on left of page for free download.)

Mar 09 - The Bonsai Review Newsheet Now Available On-Line

In collaboration with Paul Goff, the editor of Bonsai Review, this monthly periodical will now be available for download on the FoBBS website. Those familiar with the news sheet will know that Paul brings his own creative talents to this eye catching promotional document. It is a great way to publicise your events and share your news. Of course you can also double up on publicising your articles by adding them to this news page. Just send them to the Webmaster he will do the rest.

Mar 09 - FoBBS Receives Huge Support at EGM

There was a remarkable level of support last weekend at the FOBBS Extraordinary General Meeting held in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. With a turn out not seen seen since the early 90's, a room full of bonsai enthusiasts gave their unanimous support to the motion. This now ratifies the key purpose of FoBBS which is to continue to act as the national representative body for bonsai in order to promote the art, craft and science on behalf of its members. Of course with such a large cross section of the bonsai community in attendance there was a lively debate which raised a number of areas for improvement. The details of these will be released shortly along with our response but a significant change will be the creation of regional FoBBS represenatives. It is hoped that this restructuring will help resolve some of the logistical problems FoBBS faces as well as to assist with the administrative and communication workload. If you would like to help in this effort or support in other ways then please contact the Chairman. Meanwhile have your say in the FoBBS Forum

Mar 09 - European Bonsai Association Convention Gears Up

The UK will again be represented in Europe this forthcoming weekend 6-8 Mar at the EBA convention in Murcia, Spain. This event is staged by a different country each year and is organised by each nations equivalent to FoBBS. Besides a display of bonsai exhibits from across Europe it also hosts the final of the New Talent Contest with representatives from across Europe. This year we are fortunate to have a volunteer reporting on their experiences throughout the show and during the build up to the event. Brenda's comments and humorous observations as she travels to Murcia can be read at:

Brenda's Blog

It would be great to give her a few words of support.

Brenda provides her own insight and enthusiasm for the convention in this Blogspot

Feb 09 - FoBBS Calls Extraordinary General Meeting 15 Mar 09

Following the FoBBS AGM last October, members attending requested an Extraordinary General Meeting to clarify the Federations purpose, objectives and its future. In response to the request, the committee have invited all those interested in its prospects, whether FoBBS members or not, to attend the EGM to be held at the Birimingham Botanical Gardens at 1300 on Sunday 15 March 2009 in the Patrick Room at the Study Centre. The agenda and details of potential discussions are available for download. FoBBS sincerely hopes the meeting is given your strongest support. Contact the Chairman for more details.

Garden Schematic

Feb 09 - Peter Adams launches own website

The celebrated British bonsai teacher Peter Adams has recently launched his own website. As expected there are some great examples of his talent both as an artist and as a bonsai tutor.

There is also a full list of the services he can provide as well as the dates he will be visiting the UK should clubs or individuals wish to make a booking. Click on the image to visit Peter's website.

Feb 09 - The British Shohin Association Continues to Thrive

With over 4 years of successful shows and workshops, the British Shohin Association will be holding its 4th annual exhibition at Willowbog Bonsai, Northumberland over the weekend of 28 Feb 09. If past shows are to go by, the show will be well worth a visit not only to view some of the most exquisite shohin in UK but also to hear from well known bonsai personalities such as Marco Invernizzi and Peter Warren. And of course there will be plenty to buy should you need some retail therapy.

Best conifer shohin in show 2007 a black pine, Pinus thunbergii

To whet your appetite and to get more details of the show, accomodation and directions then visit the BSA on-line at their parent Willowbog website. Click on the logo below.

Jan 09 - New Look to the FoBBS Forum

The Federation message board has been upgraded with many new features that allows greater manipulation of uploaded images. For those who enjoy a good chin wag you can find the FoBBS message board. here.

Please note the message board now has a new URL so if you are still using the old one you will only see the deactived message.

Jan 09 - Community Bonsai in the News

Phoenix Bonsai Joins FoBBS

Despite a small membership, an informal organisation and no subscription fees this has not deterred the Phoenix Bonsai Group from recognising the advantages of supporting FoBBS as a national representative body for bonsai.

A close group of friends meet on a warm summers day to share in creativity and fellowship.

It is a move that demonstrates that these newer, intimate style of bonsai groups can still take part in wider issues while benefitting from the services that the Federation offers.

Groups like Phoenix could become the model for clubs and societies in the future where likeminded individuals of similar experience meet regularly to share views and techniques. Even if this distributed approach does become more commonplace it need not mean that as a cooperative of societies we should lose our voice nationally.

Their support is greatly appreciated and they are warmly welcomed.

Phoenix attends and conducts a number of events throughout the year including their own bonsai sale on 8 Feb 09 at the Kinson Community Centre Bournemouth. Contact Dave Martin for more details.

Jan 09 - Kusamono can be a fascinating accompaniment to bonsai

At this time of year when it seems like Spring will never arrive, Kusamono can provide a simple way to cheer up a small corner in the house and remind us that warmer days are just around the corner. All it takes is a little planning to have a delightful arrangement of ornamental and wild plants. With careful choice these little creations can provide seasonal interest within one design and can be displayed on their own or as an accent to bonsai.

Here the selected plants are Leptinella sp. and Cyclamen coum then with a stroke of luck, quaking grass (Brizia maxima) and herb robert (Geranium robertum) decided to join them to give an overall natural feel to the planting and extending the seasonal interest.

If you are interested in learning more then there a couple of websites listed in our links section. Alternatively, classes are held at Windybank Bonsai beginning in March conducted by Chie Hattori.

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