How did you get started? In the early 1980’s my life style had to change, I had always been very active gardening, playing sport etc but by the age 40 I had severe arthritis in both hips due to a childhood disease. I needed to find a hobby I could do without pain. About this time my wife was collecting a series of craft magazines, she showed me an article about something she thought might be interesting to try. That article was about Bonsai and it intrigued me, in the end it was me who decided to give it a try. For a couple of years, I messed around with twigs in pots until in 1986 we went to the ‘National Garden Festival’ at Stoke on Trent. That was when I saw ‘Real Bonsai’ for the first time.
How did you learn about Bonsai? Initially I went to evening classes on ‘Beginners Bonsai’ with Dave Pike and he followed this by classes in slightly more advanced techniques.
Who was your teacher? Beyond those initial classes I didn’t have a teacher as such. I joined Swindon Bonsai club and that really kick started my Bonsai education. I was lucky to find members who were willing to let me work with them on their own trees, I was especially grateful in those early days to Ron Moorcroft for sharing his experience with me. Later on, when I started to exhibit some of my own trees on our club stand at Bonsai shows around the country, I was quite shocked by how poor my trees actually were in comparison. This prompted me to start talking to other exhibitors about their trees and what techniques they were using and by doing this I was able to increase my knowledge of what I needed to do to improve my own. As my standard of trees improved, I started exhibiting with Reg Bolton at FOBBS National shows and Conventions, this was when I really started to gain experience in all the different techniques and in the art of exhibiting. Over the years I’ve also found huge benefit in pairing up with Bonsai friends and just working on our trees together, discussing design ideas and techniques.
What was the most important thing you learnt? Not to be frightened to start to exhibit your trees. Get out there to shows and study good trees. To ask for advice but to realise there many different opinions on Bonsai and not to be afraid to disagree sometimes.
The Pyracantha shown here was originally from a cutting and was grown up my house wall. I had to dig it out when we had a conservatory built so I potted it up and began to develop it as a Bonsai.
Do you belong to a Bonsai club? I’m a lifetime member of Swindon Bonsai club. I also regularly join a group of Bonsai enthusiasts at the ABC (Artistic Bonsai Circle)
Your thoughts on Bonsai?
I have tried to develope my own style of Bonsai.
I think that the style of my trees, especially native species of deciduous trees, should reflect what I see around the countryside and I try to envisage this in my design.
Do you consider Bonsai an art form? There have been some quite good artists in my family and I was always disappointed that the artistic streak seemed to have passed me by. But that was until I discovered Bonsai, now I think I have found my artistic niche. So yes, I definitely think Bonsai is an art form.
Why do you do Bonsai? When I first saw Bonsai trees being exhibited it fired my imagination. I have always enjoyed growing plants from seed and cuttings etc, using these techniques to grow my own Bonsai gave me a challenge. I also find that Bonsai is a very relaxing pastime, it is easy to lose myself for a couple of hours.
Do you have a favourite tree species or size tree? Pines are my favourite conifers and Elms are my favourite deciduous trees. Most of the trees I exhibit are in the approx. 24” (60cm) range.
White Pine, imported in about 1999
Siberian Elm, grown from a cutting in 1990
Do you have a favourite bonsai?
This yew, grown by mother from a seedling about 1980, then trained as a garden topiary by my father. When he decided to dig it up, I acquired it to develope as a Bonsai.
Do you have a favourite Potter? Gordon Duffett for Deciduous trees and Dan Barton for Pines. I have made my own pots in the past and some of my trees are still potted in them
What mistakes have you made? In the early years not pruning out problems soon enough, thinking I could correct them in later years. No, you can’t they just get worse. Not responding to potential problems quickly enough, for example diseases, thinking I could tackle them in the next week or two. No, you can’t they just get worse. Not keeping a better photographic history of the development of my trees.
Have you experienced Bonsai Abroad? In the past I have visited and exhibited at Noelanders several times.
Siberian Elm, exhibited at Noelanders Grown from seed in 1988
Sadly, I have only been out to Japan once, for the Kokofu show. During that trip we also visited some of the many Bonsai nurseries and viewing some of the wonderful privately owned trees was an experience that even exceeded the show itself.
Can you recommend one or two Bonsai books? From the early years of my Bonsai journey ‘Bonsai Techniques II’ by John Yoshio Naka. ‘Mission of Transformation’ by Robert Steven.
What is your best achievement? My best personal achievement is the level of ramification I have managed to reach with my deciduous trees.
Chinese Cork Bark Elm grown from a cutting in 1988
My best achievement as part of a team was winning our first gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. I had the opportunity to be part of the team, led by Reg Bolton, to build, setup the display and exhibit trees on that wining stand.
We went on to win several more gold medals over the following years
Do you have any future ambitions/goals? To produce a realistic image of a Weeping Willow and just to continue to enjoy the hobby and exhibit whenever the opportunity arises.
Over the years what has been your favourite Bonsai show? Two shows for different reasons. Noelanders, not just for the show itself but for the whole social weekend and sharing the experience with friends. Swindon Bonsai Club annual shows because of my involvement as chairman in the early years of its development.
Do you have any other interests/hobbies? Keeping fit, although I can no longer play sport or run half marathons, I still enjoy going to the Gym regularly. Exploring different parts of the country and visiting places of interest, National Trust properties and gardens, museums, art galleries etc. My wife has MS and has gradually struggled with cooking so I have taken the job over. I’ve now got to a point of no longer needing any instructions and am really enjoying finding recipes and producing different meals. A bit like Bonsai, it takes practice!