How did you get started? My first encounter with Bonsai was back in about 1988 at the ideal home exhibition at the NEC. There was a stall selling Bonsai, I didn’t spend too long looking at them and I certainly didn’t buy one, but a spark of interest must have been ignited. My first attempt at growing bonsai was a packet of seeds purchased from a local garden centre, I still have two of those trees in my collection today. I seriously thought I would just plant the seeds and they would grow like the picture, little did I know. I joined my first club North East Bonsai Society in about 1990 after seeing a display of bonsai at the Washington kite festival.
How did you learn about Bonsai? I would say most of my bonsai has been learnt through going to Tees Valley bonsai for the past 30 years. I have attended workshops with the likes of Dan Barton, Craig Cousins, John Hanby, Harry Tomlinson and Mark Nolanders. I’ve also learned a lot from books and magazines.
Who was your teacher? I wouldn’t say I had a teacher as such, all of the above have taught me something and a lot of people from our society Tees Valley Bonsai over the years.
What is the most important thing you have learned from him? The most important thing I have learned is patience. Once you understand Bonsai styling, take your time and work with the tree: you won’t necessarily achieve everything in one go. The first wiring and styling is only the beginning, so this is where patience comes in .
Do you belong to a Bonsai club? I’ve been a member of Tees Valley Bonsai Society, previously Darlington Bonsai Society, for over 30 years now.
Your thoughts on Bonsai or dreams? As long as you are enjoying your bonsai, it doesn’t matter at what level your trees are at, it’s all about enjoying your hobby and the journey.
Do you consider Bonsai an art form? Bonsai is definitely an art form. It is an expression of someone’s creative skills, a living sculpture so, yes it’s definitely an art form.
Why do you do Bonsai? I do Bonsai purely for the pleasure it gives me, you can lose yourself in the moment and time just passes by and for those few hours you’re not thinking of anything else.
Do you have a favourite tree species or size? I definitely have a soft spot for Junipers, the contorted trunk lines and the contrast between the living part and the dead wood is what I love most about the species.
Do you have a favourite Bonsai? Even though my favourite species are Junipers, my favourite Bonsai is an oak tree which I have owned for over 30 years, originally dug up from a commercial nursery.
Do you have a favourite potter? I wouldn’t say that I had a favourite Potter, if I see a pot I like I’ll buy it. I have bought pots in the past purely because I like the look of them, some still don’t have trees in them today but I think we are all guilty of that.
What mistakes have you made? You name it and I’ve probably made it, I wouldn’t know where to start.
Have you experienced Bonsai abroad? My only experience of Bonsai abroad was in 2018 when I, along with three other members from our society, went to the Belgian Bonsai Association Exhibition in Genk.
Can you recommenced one or two books? One book I always kept referring back to is, Harry Tomlinson book, The Complete Book of Bonsai, this was my go to book back in the early days. I Would still recommend this book to anyone starting out.
What is your best achievement? Helping people who have just started out turn a cheap piece of garden centre material into a small bonsai giving them a little bit of help and guidance as they go.
Do you have any future ambitions or goals? To keep Tees Valley Bonsai Society moving forwards, helping members to improve the quality of their trees regardless of what stage their trees are at. To me bonsai is all about sharing knowledge.
Over the years what has been your favourite show? Without doubt my favourite show over the years and still is a local Agricultural Show in Stokesley near Middlesbrough. I’ve been involved with this show for over 30 years displaying my trees along with other club members trees there and still get a lot of enjoyment out my involvement with the show.
Do you have any other interest or hobbies? Over the years I’ve had a few other interests: fishing, learning to play the drums and Karate, but bonsai is the one that I always loved the most.