How did you get started My interest in Bonsai started 22 years ago. My son swam competitively for Bath University and was also County Captain this meant training 3 mornings a week at 5 am and 4 evenings a week at5.30pm. I was his taxi service and when he learnt to drive, I became redundant. I still played in a band with the same guys I played with in 1964. We supported bands like The Beatles, The Stones, Tom Jones and many others, I had my flooring business as well, but did not really have a hobby as such. My wife and I are both gardeners and I had a few small trees that I thought could become Bonsai. To this end I joined Warminster Club and really enjoyed learning about Bonsai. I was helped through the knowledge of the other members. I then started picking up all sorts of little trees.
Who was your teacher I was keen to learn and enrolled on courses with John Trott at Mendip Bonsai attending once a week for 2 years. I would recommend John’s courses to anyone wishing to learn. I then went on a few weekend courses at Avon Tyrell in the New Forest organised by Dean Kelly. The instructors included Will Baddley, Paul Finch, Simon Jones, and Smithy. These were great courses as we stayed on the premises, so talked bonsai day and night, you might describe it at total immersion. I now belong to the Staverton Group where we have Peter Warren join us twice a year for workshops.
Do you have a favourite tree I enjoy keeping most trees as they all present their own challenges. I might put Junipers (not needle) and Scotts Pines at the top of my list
Chris and friends
at The Trophy Show in Belgium with
Kunio Kobayashi.
What mistakes have you made Enthusiasm has a tendency to triumph!! Perhaps trying to push a tree along too quickly especially when carving would be an example, however by having lessons soon after starting, luckily none of my mistakes were fatal.
Have you experienced bonsai abroad Yes. I have been to Lodders in Holland, and Danny Use’s Ginko. I have travelled to the Trophy 3 times the first being Noelanders. These visits were a real eye opener to the quality of trees in Europe
What 2 books have you found useful I can find something useful in all books and magazines. I have full sets of Bonsai, Bonsai Today, and Bonsai Focus/ Europe. A really enjoyable read is Bonsai master class by Craig Cousins, along with Shohin Passion by Roland Shatzer, both are full of information.
What is your best achievement I wouldn’t say I have a best achievement although I have won classes at various shows, but not a major award, well not yet! Truthfully I just enjoy being part of the bonsai community and love the constant banter at the shows.
Do you have any future ambitions Yes, I really want to bring on a completely new group of trees in the Shohin class. Last year I sold a lot of my larger trees and plan to sell a few more this year. This will enable me to bring on my smaller trees. I don’t want to just go out and buy ready made trees as I enjoy bringing them on myself. I am not against someone buying a show ready tree I just like to do it myself.
Do you have other interests I do have other interests, I enjoy cooking oriental foods. I still play guitar but only for my own pleasure, but mostly I spend a lot of time on my trees and pottery, especially making bonsai pots .
Can you tell us about your pottery Dave from Walsall Ceramics put on a course hosted by the Swindon club, I really enjoyed it and I was hooked . I went home and bought a small kiln and started to play about with clay, making really small Shohin size pots and gradually moved on to larger stuff as I became more proficient.
Do you have a favourite potter There are several potters that I admire, Dan Barton for his fantastic glazes, Gordon Duffett and Walsall too. I appear to have rather too many of their pots.
Do you undertake commissions Yes I do take commissions and have quite a few in progress at the moment, although my preference is just going out into the pottery with no fixed idea, the pleasure is in just get out the clay and see what happens. The maximum size I can make at the moment is 51 cm diameter, but I am looking to get a second kiln shortly. My pottery label is Spectre Ceramics. The name originating from the name of my earlier band “The Spectres.”
Have you ever been involved in shows Not really shows, but am involved with Tony Oswin organising the Staverton Boot Sale along with others from our group. This show has really taken off in recent years
What UK shows stand out I have always enjoyed the Swindon Show, and Heathrow, I am looking forward to the K2 show that Steve is organising as all the events he has been involved in have been enjoyable with good quality trees on show.