How did you get started? I got started as many did in the mid 80’s because my son brought home a video copy of that movie. Up until to that point I knew nothing of bonsai but when I saw Mr Miyagi work on his trees I was hooked!, For a few weeks I couldn’t find any information on bonsai but then there was an advert in a local newspaper for The Wirral bonsai shop. The shop was located in a nearby nursery so off I went. I bought two Larch and a couple of training pots whilst getting lots of advice but alas, I still managed to kill them both.
How did you learn about bonsai? I’ve had no one-to-one teaching, in the early days all of my bonsai knowledge was picked up from as many books as I could get hold of. Eventually the internet arrived and there opened up a world of information along with YouTube. I have now also been a member of the Wirral Bonsai Club for 34 years and we usually have a guest speaker or member who will give a talk each meeting so I have learned a lot from that. Alongside a few of the club members I would go to Willowbog Bonsai near Hexham for the British Shohin Show once a year, a great weekend with an excellent show and critique plus a good meal and auction on the Saturday night. You would get lots of information and help from Peter Warren and John Armitage who ran most of the shows we went to, the weekends were a real success organised by Peter and Jean Snart.
Who was your teacher? Well I suppose at the beginning my teacher was mainly Derek Forshaw who was the chairman at our club, along with all the books that I could read. When Derek left the club Ian Warhurst took over as chairman, we enjoyed a lot more learning activities and shows and we also got a much higher standard of speaker. When Ian gave up the chair it was taken over by Dave Yarranton followed by Andy Hardman. The club has gone from strength to strength.
Do you belong to a bonsai club? Yes as I’ve said I joined the Wirral Bonsai Club back in the late 1980’s I was then in my 40’s and working as a dental ceramist making crowns and bridges, and trying to learn about bonsai. You don’t learn a lot working on your own in the garden but in a club you meet all sorts of interesting people with lots of knowledge to pass on. At every meeting members bring trees along so you can see how they are going about their bonsai, it’s very friendly. Club members leave and new members join we always seem to have a membership of around 50/60. One of the biggest challenges today is to get young people to take up the hobby I don’t think we have a member under 50.
Do you consider bonsai an art form? I think it may be a bit misleading to call it art, but yes it must be an art form, especially when the tree is matched to the correct pot and stand and the display then looks very artistic. At that stage I think it is an art form.
Why do you practice bonsai? When I was working in a lab all day and with the heat of the furnace, I craved to get outside and work in the garden I’ve always loved trees, and practising bonsai allows you to have as many different types and styles of tree as you like on a couple of benches in your garden. It’s also that you have the control over the style you want with the application of wire and various pruning techniques. Now of course I’m 14 years retired and still love bonsai.
Do you have a favourite tree species or size of tree? My favourite species is Hinoki Cypress, they are so versatile and if trimmed properly can make amazing bonsai. My favourite size of tree was a chuhin but unfortunately a few years ago I was diagnosed with AMD (Age related Macular Degeneration) in both eyes, since then I’ve had 33 eye injections so consequently my close up eyesight is not that good and so I mainly work with Mame bonsai as I can pick them up and work on them closer.
Do you have a favourite bonsai? I did have, The single Hinoki Cypress and also the Chinese Elm both pictures are on here. Unfortunately they had to go along with the Hinoki raft when I got the AMD. Now my favourites are the Mame an Itoigawa and a Chinese Elm both pictured.
Do you have a favourite potter? I’ve never actually had a pot made for me I just buy what I like when I see it, I have a few by John Pitt, Gordon Duffett, Ian Baillie, Dave Jones, some Erin some lovely Japanese mame pots along with various others.
What mistakes have you made? Loads of mistakes from breaking branches to not being able to match a tree to a pot, hopefully I’m marginally better at that now. Every hobbyist makes mistakes along the way the trick is to try and not repeat them, but sadly we do all the time.
Have you experienced bonsai abroad? In 2013 I had two trees accepted for the Noelanders show, the Chinese Elm and the single Hinoki Cypress both pictured although the Hinoki has changed quite a bit since 2013. In 2015 I had the Hinoki raft accepted, both Hinoki photos were taken on the same day 16th June 2020.
Can you recommend one or two books? Most of the books I’ve read are from 20/30 years ago great in their day but there are now so many new techniques in styling and presentation. The books that I read were amazing and informative by the likes of Dan Barton, Peter Chan and Harry Tomlinson all excellent books. I think if you are looking for inspiration you can’t beat Noelanders Trophy year books of the shows.
What is your best achievement? I think being accepted for the Noelanders Trophy shows, just amazing to attend and even better to participate in. I also enjoyed both of Steve Tolley’s Best Of British shows, and I won a couple of British Shohin awards at my favourite show at Willowbog bonsai.
Over the years what has been your favourite bonsai show? Undoubtedly my favourite show was at Willowbog Bonsai. We would drive up on Friday afternoon and set our displays out, Saturday morning a critique,and in the evening we enjoyed the awards and a great dinner with a few beers. The Noelanders Trophy was also amazing the trees were fantastic and there was a huge selling area, great company and a wonderful weekend away.
Do you have any other interests or hobbies? Over the years I was a keen angler and an enthusiastic, but not great amateur photographer. Now in my late 70’s it’s mainly tinkering with the bonsai, falling asleep in a chair or listening to good music.