Edition of July 2026.
The new MBS website is now at last live. You can access this website by using the same address namely:-
Our sincere thanks to Sven and his website team for the effort that they put into the creation of this new venture. They need your support by which we mean that you need to send Sven content to keep things up to date, such as articles, photographs, news etc. For example what about a few pictures taken at the Annual Show? It really is up to you now!!
Another Annual Show done and dusted! Not as many people through the door and not as many trees on display as last year but in our opinion just as good a show with 24 MBS members on parade during the day. Redditch members were thinner on the ground we are afraid but nevertheless they put on a creditable display. The “acid” test, of course, is whether any visitors will come forward to join either society. Historically this has not happened that often. One excellent piece of news was that both traders reported excellent business with David Cheshire describing the day as the “best ever” and Gavin Holden observing that his efforts to get there were more than worthwhile! So, well done everyone who helped out in any way at all.
The results of the various competitions are as follows:-
1. Tarun Raipure,
2. David Attwood.
HC David Attwood.
1. Brian Cooke.
2. Robert Walton.
HC Brian Cooke.
1. David Attwood.
2. David Attwood.
HC Tarun Raipure.
1. Judith Davison.
2. Brian Cooke.
HC Steve Stokes.
1. Robert Walton.
2. Steve Stokes.
HC Steve Stokes.
1. Tarun Raipure.
2. David Attwood.
HC David Attwood.
1. Mark Skan.
2. Richard Gilkes.
HC Richard Gilkes.
1. Robert Walton.
2. Richard Gilkes.
HC Robert Walton.
Judith Davison.
David Attwood.
1. Judith Davison.
2. Judith Davison.
HC Robert Walton.
1. Mark Skan.
(HC = Highly commended)
Members will remember Brian’s reaction upon winning the Starter Tree trophy at the 2025 Show – which subsequently gave rise to an article in a subsequent Newsletter.
Brian has now disclosed another interesting and intriguing story which initially takes us back to 1982. He has asked us to share it with you.
In 1982 Brian was a member of the Merchant Navy and was a Galley Boy (his words) on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Grange which was seconded to the Royal Navy frigate HMS Antrim. Brian’s ship was supplying ammunition to HMS Antrim, and yes, you have guessed it, 1982 was the time of the Falklands War and that’s exactly where Brian and his ship were. Right in the thick of it.
We now move on to the early 2000’s when Brian and his family acquired a flat on the Costa del Sol at Fuengirola. One of the local bars was called “Titans” in a street called “Fish Alley” and in c.2006 Brian and his team were in the bar when he was approached by the Manager, who asked:
“Were you ever in the Falklands?”
“Yes” replied Brian, “how did you know?”
The Manager’s reply astounded Brian. It was:
“Because I was a prisoner on your ship!”
It appears that the manager, Roberto, was a member of the Argentine forces manning a gun on San Carlos Water and they saw a British aircraft ditch in the sea. (It’s not clear whether they shot it down) The gun crew acted quickly to save the crew of the ditched plane but in doing so were taken prisoner, ending up on Brian’s ship!
Brian and his family have remained regular visitors to Titans when they are away in Spain. Recently Brian presented Roberto with a bottle of Special Issue Newcastle Brown Task Force Ale which he had received in 1982 and kept unopened ever since. The bottle now sits proudly behind the bar in Titans which is full of memorabilia of all sorts.
Brian and Roberto in Titans Bar.
In July we shall be renewing our acquaintance with Nigel Saunders from the Bonsai Zone in Canada.
The meeting on July 16th will feature Malcolm Hughes. “Where did we go wrong – or possibly right?” and latest developments in Bonsai.
If growing PYRETHMUM then it’s advisable to cut the plants back after flowering has finished in June. That way you will not only keep the plant tidy but you may also get a repeat flowering. Aim for a neat mound of leaves.
We would be interested to know if any of you have had difficulty setting seed this year. Cosmos, for example, are normally quick to burst through but they have been very reluctant to appear this year. Foxgloves, however, seem more reliable.
If you took a tree or two to the show then why not take it/them to your next society meeting? It may encourage others to do so next time.
Be on the watch for vine weevil. Act quickly if you suspect the critters are lurking! We found one wandering across the table at the Redditch meeting last Thursday! No one owned up to owning it, so be on the look out!
Ease off on nitrogen feed and switch to a more balanced fertiliser.
Another enjoyable show with lots of fantastic trees and a very well organised display. It was good to speak with the members of the public in attendance and spend day thinking about bonsai. Thanks to everyone that made the show a success and members that volunteered their time to help out on the day (and those who helped set up the day prior).
David Haw – Chairman, Redditch Bonsai Society.
Midlands and Redditch Bonsai Show – The Thoughts of a Complete Beginner
I have only been trying to grow bonsai for a few months and still know relatively little about the hobby. The show therefore seemed the perfect opportunity to see how others approached their work on their trees. So, with my wife in tow (“This had better be worth it”), along with a couple of friends, one of whom also shares an interest in bonsai, off we set from Harvington, near Evesham.
I think my biggest fear was that I would find it all rather magnificent and that I would be deflated when I returned home to see my own efforts. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. There were, of course, some beautiful trees. I particularly liked a cedar and a pine, both with shari (the white branches).
My wife also became quite excited by them! Our friend flitted around looking at this and that, admiring lots of cedars, with the occasional striking tree, such as the Satsuki azalea and a cascade azalea.
I thought the Redditch contingent also displayed some lovely examples. Was it just me, or did we have more forests? It was nice to see, particularly from my perspective, and that of my friend, who is also a beginner, a number of plants in their early stages. We could both see similarities with our own efforts, which was very encouraging.
One thing that surprised me was that most pots appeared to be round or oval. When I’ve looked in books or online, bonsai are often displayed in more elaborate rectangular pots. “I need to get some oval pots” was a note that I made to myself.
I also found the way the displays were presented fascinating, with a variety of stands and smaller accent plants nearby – thanks to Richard’s talk, I now know what they are!
The show was really enjoyable, and my wife chatted away about it for ages afterwards – now a convert! I picked up lots of tips and ideas, but probably, for both myself and my friend as beginners, we found it inspiring while at the same time achievable. It increased our interest rather than diminishing it.
Steve Davies, Redditch Bonsai
The Redditch Chair has been in touch and suggests that the item below may be worth a look. It’s a presentation on soils:-
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jW-dcMHXwT4UTXiA3XhpCqHTFmAhXCxd/view
Well, in the absence of any further contributions that’s it for this edition.
R and A Gilkes. 23rd June 2026
Copyright © Redditch Bonsai Society 2026