Here’s a few photos from the night.

Robert shows just how big the fish that Phil caught at the weekend was

Robert’s fish was much bigger, he just couldn’t get his hands around it

Larch getting a change of shape.

Some work on Ben’s Japanese Black Pine.

A surprise for Robert as we just couldn’t let his forth coming 50th Birthday pass without marking the occasion. That Kilt photo got another outing too

 An enjoyable evening.

We are taking advantage of having Robert Porch from Scotland in Northern Ireland for a while and he will be demonstrating some bonsai techniques to us at the meeting this Friday 11th, 8pm Cregagh Youth & Community Centre.

We hope all our members take advantage and attend what should be a great night.

If you were in any doubts as to Robert’s Nationality, please see below. He will not be turning up dressed like this on the night

Robert is an Honorary club member who, in previous years, has contributed greatly to raising the level of bonsai in Northern Ireland. We look forward to seeing him back at one of our meetings.

Our hall is hired from the local council who in their wisdom failed to have staff present on the night to allow our access. Never to be foiled by such machinations of local government, we moved the meeting to my garage where we had a good evening with far better quality coffee No photos, due to all the drama, I forgot to take any!

Apologies to those members who travelled some distance to attend. Steps are being taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Some of our best displays were held within the walled garden during the famous but sadly now defunct Country Fair. This years sees the revival of this in the form of an open weekend on the campus with over 60 attractions for the family to visit.

Further details can be found on the CAFRE Website HERE.

Here are a few photos showing the walled garden in Greenmount where we will be holding our exhibition.

We will be putting on a display of some of the best bonsai in Ireland, be sure to make the trip to see us. More details to follow as we approach the Show.

A quick reminder that our next club meeting is next Friday the 13th!! Don’t let the date put you off. It’ll be a general workshop for all members to join in.

In the meantime enjoy the new buds of Spring

Anyone who follows Ian’s blog will know that his Japanese Maple has just won the Best Deciduos Chuhin in Show at the recent BSA awards event which was hosted at Willowbog Bonsai Center. I know that all will agree that this achievement should be properly noted on this blog.

Well done Ian

This is Ian’s tree as he had prepared it before travelling to the show.

This is the same little beauty on display at Willowbog

The proud father with his trophy. No not the carlsberg. That’s his life-line

It is only proper that we show the overall winner of the show

Ritta and Mark Cooper’s stunning Shohin display

For a detailed review of the event with plenty of pics start here click this link

Congratulations Ian. Lets hope this achiement is an inspiration to us all 

Talking through all the trees at the start of the workshop.

Stephen with the ever present cup of coffee in his hand

and Phil the clown

Some of the trees worked on during the day.

Hugh’s Scots Pine Before

Stan’s San Jose Juniper before deadwood work.

Hughs Trident Maple before repotting. Urgently needed to very old compacted akadama.

John’s Korean Hornbeam before repotting.

John’s Little Chamaecyparis before a repot.

and after

Ovidiu AKA Vlad’s Yew before some deadwood work.

Ben’s Berberis Clump before repotting.

Jamie’s Scots Pine before repotting.

and after

Some of Bob’s larch ready for creation of a group planting. I failed to get an after photo for this one

Alan’s Spruce before branch selection and thinning out.

Stephen’s Maple Raft before thinning out

and after thinning out

Stephen drinking again.

Ben’s Beech Group getting put together.

Ian uses the force to move the trees into the right position.

Phil’s Hornbeam before thinning out.

After

A long tiring but fruitful day.

Peter did his usual opening hour talking with members about any issues they had experienced with their trees since the October session.

After a coffee break we had a session going into the why and how’s of creating Forest Plantings. After lunch Peter created a Forest of Spruce on a slab to finish off the day.

Here are some photos taken during the school.

Unloading the van in the dark.

Getting the goods set out for the off.

Opening remarks.

Michael claimed the prime seat beside the heater Sorry Mike, couldn’t resist.

New member Alan reads the handout. This will be added to our Bonsai Knowledge Page shortly.

Another new member joining on the day. Allen, on the right, came all the way from Dublin to join and take part in the school. That’s 3 members from Dublin in the NIBS now. Well 2 really as one’s in Dubai for a year or two.

Peter shows on his flip chart how he likes his pepperoni on a pizza. Other captions for this photo very welcome

Peter shows how to prepare the trees for adding to the forest planting.

Pruning before placement.

Far too happy looking, things must be going well.

Everybody creeps up for a closer look.

Ian, the glamorous assistant.

A few final changes, after the moss has been added.

Stand back for a better look.

Take a walk in the forest.

The result. These are nursery stock Spruce acquired by Peter for the demo. The colour looks a little different in the larger trees. This will change this year with proper feeding for all the trees. The group will be staying in Northern Ireland as a club member decided to add it to their collection. Aftercare will be given by placing it in a poly tunnel for a few months to protect it from the elements.

Allen gets a quick chat before he heads to the train station for the Dublin Express.

More tomorrow showing the action from the Sunday workshop.

Willowbog Bonsai will be here with the usual selection of bonsai related material for our members to avail of. The Sunday workshop is fully booked, but if you live local and want to take part in the school on Saturday, why not join the club and come along for a look.

Full details about the school can be viewed from the page tab above.

This is the venue all ready for the off on Saturday morning.

The main focus was on Junipers  and most people had brought Juniper either for display or work.

Room to spread out.

Some of the junipers brought along on the night.

Who spilt the tea then??!!

The hardest working man in the club, Ian B taking care of membership and school fees.

Brendan getting a few pointers from Ian.

Not sure he liked the ideas by the look of this one.

Young Jamie goes for the windswept look, that’s his hair, not his Larch

Adrian telling another story, I says to him and he says to me …’

Some trees on the sale or swap table.

Hugh, Davy and Mervyn studying Hugh’s Pine.

Phil, with the ever present hat, looking at Michaels Juniper.

Our newest member Simon at his first meeting watching on with Ronnie as Neil’s Juniper gets a little work.

Epic nose picking fail from Phil who misses the nostril altogether. Michael looks on embarrassed for the lad, he nearly put his eye out there

Ben and Davy puzzled by something.

Roll on next weekend and the Bonsai School with Willowbog.