20Oct19 10th Heathrow Show
20Oct19 Heathrow Bonsai Show
This years Heathrow Bonsai Show was celebrating its 10th Anniversary, a show that's grown from its humble beginnings in a small scout hut too where it is today, three halls in a sports complex. The first show made up of Middlesex, Surrey Heath and Swindon clubs has grown to 38 Clubs, an impressive gathering of the bonsai community. The show has kept to its original formula, giving club enthusiasts of all levels the chance to display their trees, something for everyone. The location of the show, on the out skirts of London, with motorways converging from all directions, gives easy access for exhibitors and visitors from all areas. The visitor attendance has grown ten times since the first show, many of these being general public having their first experience of a bonsai show. This years show was greeted with a bright sunny day, almost a miracle with weeks of bad weather building up to the show. The team that puts this show together, is now a very well oiled machine, people are often amazed to see the show go up in what seems no time and break down in a couple of hours, a big thank you to this dedicated collection of enthusiasts, who if it wasn't for their efforts, the show would not happen.
All the trees through out the show were individually numbered, allowing exhibitors and visitors to choose their personal favourite three trees on show. At the end of the show the results were:
Favourite three trees chosen by Exhibitors:
1st Place, Tree 313 Chinese Elm / Nick Payne (Bonsai Boys)
2nd Place, Tree 304 Stewartia / Ray Poweel (North London Bonsai Group)
3rd Place, Tree 200 Juniper / Gary Brown (Kent Bonsai Society)
Favourite three trees chosen by Visitors:
1st Place, Tree 313 Chinese Elm / Nick Payne (Bonsai Boys)
2nd Place, Tree 378 Hawthorne / Andy Smith (Dragon Bonsai Group)
3rd Place, Tree 109 Fern-Leaf Beech / Brian Mackichan (Exeter Bonsai Society)
Running through the day was a demonstration by Kevin Willson, located in the main hall, and split into a morning session and an afternoon session. Kevin's demonstration was well received, his ability to deliver high quality knowledge in a humerous and entertaining way, is widely known and this occasion was no different.
For the second time, the UK heat of European Bonsai Association New Talent Competition organised by Peter Fielding of FOBBs, was held at this years show. From five contestants working away over 4 hours, Kolvac was the final winner, he now goes forward to the EBA Show in Sept20 in Czech Republic.
Every year a potter designs and produces a commemorative pot on behalf of the Royal British Legion for The Poppy Appeal raffle, this year the task fell to Simon Haddon of Suteki. The Bonsai community sells tickets at various shows through out the year and at the Heathrow Show the raffle is finally drawn, this years proud new winner is Adam Drackford of Ipswich Bonsai Society, the raffle and charity box raised a total of £438 for the Poppy Appeal, well done everybody.
A very special thank you to all the enthusiasts who helped construct, break down and run the show over the weekend, only through the dedication of these volunteers does a show like this happen.
Many thanks The Team
This years Heathrow Bonsai Show was celebrating its 10th Anniversary, a show that's grown from its humble beginnings in a small scout hut too where it is today, three halls in a sports complex. The first show made up of Middlesex, Surrey Heath and Swindon clubs has grown to 38 Clubs, an impressive gathering of the bonsai community. The show has kept to its original formula, giving club enthusiasts of all levels the chance to display their trees, something for everyone. The location of the show, on the out skirts of London, with motorways converging from all directions, gives easy access for exhibitors and visitors from all areas. The visitor attendance has grown ten times since the first show, many of these being general public having their first experience of a bonsai show. This years show was greeted with a bright sunny day, almost a miracle with weeks of bad weather building up to the show. The team that puts this show together, is now a very well oiled machine, people are often amazed to see the show go up in what seems no time and break down in a couple of hours, a big thank you to this dedicated collection of enthusiasts, who if it wasn't for their efforts, the show would not happen.
All the trees through out the show were individually numbered, allowing exhibitors and visitors to choose their personal favourite three trees on show. At the end of the show the results were:
Favourite three trees chosen by Exhibitors:
1st Place, Tree 313 Chinese Elm / Nick Payne (Bonsai Boys)
2nd Place, Tree 304 Stewartia / Ray Poweel (North London Bonsai Group)
3rd Place, Tree 200 Juniper / Gary Brown (Kent Bonsai Society)
Favourite three trees chosen by Visitors:
1st Place, Tree 313 Chinese Elm / Nick Payne (Bonsai Boys)
2nd Place, Tree 378 Hawthorne / Andy Smith (Dragon Bonsai Group)
3rd Place, Tree 109 Fern-Leaf Beech / Brian Mackichan (Exeter Bonsai Society)
Running through the day was a demonstration by Kevin Willson, located in the main hall, and split into a morning session and an afternoon session. Kevin's demonstration was well received, his ability to deliver high quality knowledge in a humerous and entertaining way, is widely known and this occasion was no different.
For the second time, the UK heat of European Bonsai Association New Talent Competition organised by Peter Fielding of FOBBs, was held at this years show. From five contestants working away over 4 hours, Kolvac was the final winner, he now goes forward to the EBA Show in Sept20 in Czech Republic.
Every year a potter designs and produces a commemorative pot on behalf of the Royal British Legion for The Poppy Appeal raffle, this year the task fell to Simon Haddon of Suteki. The Bonsai community sells tickets at various shows through out the year and at the Heathrow Show the raffle is finally drawn, this years proud new winner is Adam Drackford of Ipswich Bonsai Society, the raffle and charity box raised a total of £438 for the Poppy Appeal, well done everybody.
A very special thank you to all the enthusiasts who helped construct, break down and run the show over the weekend, only through the dedication of these volunteers does a show like this happen.
Many thanks The Team
Photos by oCharles Billoir