How did you learn about bonsai? As a detective I had to investigate a dud cheque that had been issued to Fred Rawlings he ran Little Trees, Southampton. Fred was always recognisable in his flat cap, Harris Tweed jacket, work shirt, bib and brace overalls and black work boots. He was the FIRST person to exhibit bonsai at the RHS Westminster Spring Show. Very knowledgable in methods of propagating trees, he concentrated on mame. He used to get a young undergraduate from Southampton Uni. to make pots, a certain Gordon Duffett. Fred was a lovely guy, unpretentious and no ego. How did you get started? In about 1984 I bought one of Fred’s mame a Jap. Maple. I then progressed to buying shrubs from garden centres in the days when they were worth buying, from ‘proper’ nurseries. The library provided basic books, which at the time were thought fantastic. Eventually Colin Lewis published the magazine, Bonsai, which showed the scope of bonsai. In 1989 Bonsai Today was published. These two magazines showed bonsai to the UK and inspired me to do better
Who was your teacher? At first books and magazines. Then when I joined Eastleigh Bonsai Society. I became friends with Nigel Robbins who was the consummate tree collector he showed me how to collect trees from forest areas with a very high survival rate. It was he who introduced me to Wessex Bonsai Society where I met two people very knowledgable in bonsai, Geoff Shakespeare and Ray Edwards. Other teachers have been my friends like John Lee, John Turner. Later I went to a Peter Adams workshop and met the ‘Father of British Bonsai’. At that time he was writing books full of technical advice. Dan Barton is also someone who has taught me much. Steve Tolley is another mentor, without doubt the most successful bonsai artist from the UK in the European circuit in the past. I have attended workshops with Taiga Urushibata, Bjorn Bjorholm and watched demos by Sandro Segneri and Kevin Willson.
Wisteria, Wessex show.
What is the most important thing you learnt from him? Firstly patience. Not to rush to make the tree bend to my will! With Peter Adams, how not to wire, lol. He applied any wire to hold a branch in the desired position, but when exhibiting, it was done properly. He became a friend in later life and is sadly missed. Initially brusque. he enjoyed the company of anyone who traded humour with him. With Steve Tolley, how to do it properly first time!
The Crab
Do you belong to a club? I have belonged to Eastleigh later becoming Secretary and Chairman. Also I was a member of Wessex. I joined the Phoenix group a small group of invited enthusiasts.Later I joined The Association of British Bonsai Artists, ABBA, the brainchild of Dan Barton. This was designed to become a learning centre with members preparing papers on different bonsai subjects. It was also the home of RIBB, the Register of Important British Bonsai, providing a history of important trees and their location. Sadly ABBA is no more and RIBB was handed over to another organisation it appearing to have fallen into disuse.
‘Poppa Smurf’ with Taiga Urushibata
What are your thoughts or dreams on bonsai? At my time of life, to wake up tomorrow morning and be fit enough to walk unaided into the garden. As to dreams, the ones I had are all forgotten. But one wish I still have is that I had discovered bonsai at the age of 16.
Do you consider Bonsai an art form? Yes, of course I do. But, horticultural knowledge and expertise is an absolute essential without which bonsai die. Do you have a favourite bonsai species or style? Scots Pine, a species even the Japanese would love to be indigenous. Done in any appropriate style. But displayed without virtually all its needles having been pulled off, as so often seen.
Hosta venusta
Do you have a favourite tree? Number 7, a Peter Adams tree. A Scots pine, iconic in its day this tree is now in my care. It has gone through a period of revitalisation and change but retains it original shape.
Number 7 August, 2022
What mistakes have you made? Too many to list. But here are some. Collecting trees without the knowledge of how to and seeing them die. Not keeping written records of my trees or taking photographs of their development.
Have you experienced bonsai abroad? I have been fortunate to visit Japan twice, to see Kokofu ten in 2008 and Taikan ten as well as the ASPAC conference in 2011. Have been to The Trophy in Belgium on 4 or 5 occasions, the last Ginkgo show and also the EBA in Poland in 2014. Over the years what has been your favourite show. Taikan ten in Messe Hall, Kyoto holds a place dear to my heart. But, I suppose, the next show I intend to attend. Can you recommend one or two books. All of Peter Adams books. Francois Jekers book on deadwood. If affordable the Japanese bonsai albums of the professionals.
What is your best achievement ? Winning the best display in The Art of Bonsai internet competition. Also twice winning Accent of the year in the Bonsaicafé forum. Do you have any future goals or ambitions? Again at my time of life, keeping healthy enough to continue with my bonsai. Also becoming more proficient and more focussed on the bonsai job in hand. In addition to make kusamono and kokodama using UK wild flowers.