December 2023 Special Newsletter

News of next year’s programmes for both societies.

Both committees have now considered the prospects for 2024 and we are pleased to be able to give details of the programme/events planned for 2024.

The first thing to say is that we have decided to do away with a monthly theme for the display tables. This means that you will not now be able to say “Oh, I haven’t got one of those”, and therefore not bring a tree along to any meeting. We encourage you ALL to bring a tree or indeed any other bonsai related item to EVERY meeting. We have said this before and will no doubt say it again, that we are after all a society dedicated to the growing of trees.

The guided workshops have been designed so that expert help will be on hand, particularly to assist the newer members with any problems they are experiencing. We hope that these meetings will also result in an “inclusive evening/atmosphere”

So, here is the plan and we have included comment at the end to explain/clarify one or two subjects.

2024 Programme for the MBS

January 4th	Members' Forum.
February 1st	Guided Workshop with David Cheshire.
March 7th	Photography Evening with Judith and Phil Holroyd.
April 4th	Workshop.
May 2nd	Presentation by David Cheshire.
June 6th	Group Workshop.
July 4th	An evening with Nigel Saunders/The Bonsai Zone.
August 1st	Members' Presentations.
September 5th	Guided workshop with David Cheshire.
October 3rd	Malcolm Hughes.
November 7th	Winter protection with Wes Pinfield and Mark Skan.
December 5th	AGM and other entertainments.

The January event will be an opportunity to bring along any problem trees for discussion, hopefully before a panel, but also of course with input from you all

The Photography evening promises to be extremely interesting now that Phil Holroyd (former member) is earning a living from the medium. Here’s a brief summary from Phil of the way the evening will work:

“I come early and set up a pro set up and photograph trees then change to a home set up. I will also do a talk for 20 mins on why to photograph your trees so a projector would be needed for that.”

The group workshop will be an event where members will divide into small groups and work on trees provided for the evening by the society – design by committee

We hope that the July event will actually involve Nigel Saunders this time after our efforts last year came to nothing! It’s also his birthday that day. He has confirmed his availability. Although its Independence Day in the USA don’t forget that he’s in Canada!

Members’ presentations will involve members bringing along an interesting tree or trees and talking to the group about their history, development and future prospects.

Malcolm Hughes will be asked to examine your trees and give his opinion, good or bad!

2024 Programme for REDDITCH BONSAI

January 18th	Members' Forum.
February 15th	AGM and Quiz.
March 21st	Presentation by David Cheshire.
April 18th	Malcolm Hughes.
May 16th	Guided workshop with David Cheshire.
June 20th	In house Show.
July 18th	Workshop.
August 15th	History of Bonsai/Judith Davison.
September 19th	Guided workshop with David Cheshire.
October 17th	Winter Preparation with Wes Pinfield.
November 21st	Members’ Presentations
December tbc	Lunch.

The AGM has moved forward by one month to accommodate the availability of our speaker in March, but not February.

For January, April and November see comments above under MBS.

Joint Events

We hope that we will be able to manage some “outside” events this coming year.

As we write Teanah Rowland (MBS) is investigating a trip to a Japanese Garden.

Judith has obtained basic consent to a “foraging” trip on The Lickeys (not for mushrooms!) in the Spring.

David Attwood is looking for the details of the Telford Show

We are also investigating the possibility of having a “table” at one or two garden centres on a Saturday or Sunday and also supporting FOBBS with their monthly tables during the middle of the year at the Botanical Gardens.(between April and September) We shall need volunteers for all these sessions, so, if you are willing to support the initiative, please let us know as soon as possible.

The Annual Show

We have spoken with a member of the team at the Botanicals and established that the date 9th June, a Sunday, is available. Worryingly the chap spoken to has now let us know that the final decision is not his. We await confirmation. Fingers crossed.

Reminders

You have been notified that this year the societies will support the MIDLAND AIR AMBULANCE with donations instead of spending money on cards and stamps (2nd class 75p!) We now have the relevant materials and these will be deployed at the MBS AGM and January meeting and the Redditch lunch and January meeting.

MBS members have been reminded of the need to support the bar at the cricket club.

Members have been asked whether they are wishing to sell any trees at the show in the summer. You need to let us know well in advance so that plans can be made.

Other New Initiatives

In the past we used to include in the Newsletter a recommendation for a YouTube Video but when a certain member left the society (MBS) this lapsed. We are going to resurrect this and as we know that a lot of you are avid YouTubers it should not prove difficult for suggestions to be made which can then be circulated to members in the Newsletter.

So if you have any recommendations please send them to us on a regular basis so that all members have the opportunity to enjoy the fun!

Another idea that we have had is to possibly offer an annual prize to the member who in the opinion of the Committees has done most, during to year, to promote/support the Societies. This would not be open to any Committee member. More on this later.

AND FINALLY

We take this opportunity to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Richard Gilkes,
Editor,
December 2023.