March Workshop

Hi and Welcome

It was back to Portsunlight Garden Centre here in the Wirral were we always receive a warm and Friendly welcome Being Mother Sunday the garden centre was busy in other areas.

On show we had a variety of Trees such as Flowering Cherry, Korean Hornbeam, Pryacantha, Chinese Elm, Larch, Potentilla, Escallonia, Contoneaster a few more plus a couple of Accent Plants belonging to Our Leader for the day Andy H.assisted by Doug M and Tom and these were the trio who brought their Bonsai Trees and Tools to work on and await to assists any member of the Public who needed help and guidance with their own Bonsai Tree or Trees as was the case with a Wonderful Lovely Lady named Ann along with her Husband Steve who live in Cheshire. Ann had brought in her Oak Tree for assistance

and Andy took centre stage and after little time consulting with Ann, Andy got in action with both Steve and Ann looking on seemly approving and very happy with the result. During after morning and afternoon Doug was chatting with Steve and it was interesting to hear about Steve's other passion a Longbow and involved with Reenactments and if your interested in this pastime and I believe there is a Society called

The Holly Holy Day Society “The Battle Of Nantwich”– English Civil War

More information can be found by a Google Search or

http://www.countryfile.com/countryside/history-re-enactments-family

Even tho our member numbers were small a fair amount was achieved during the day,trees re-potted,Wiring,Styling removing Moss from trunks and unwanted Debris removed, Re-positioning Of Trees,but most of ALL W-B-S making a Presence to promote Bonsai here in The Wirral

On the Last Sunday of This Month The 31st March THERE IS NO WORKSHOP as Gordale Garden Centre is CLOSED being EASTER SUNDAY,but we will be back at 

Port Sunlight Garden Centre,  TheCauseway,

Port Sunlight Village,Wirral. on the 14th of April 2013

and for those who have a Sat Nav the Postcode is  CH62 5DY and

Telephone: 0151 645 6244   or go to

 http://portsunlightgardens.co.uk/contact-us/     for more information

 

We all would like to thank  our Hosts and Everyone  at  Port Sunlight Garden Centre, for allowing Wirral Bonsai Society the Time and Space to hold  our Bonsai Workshop

and if all goes well we will be there again  next month

 Till next time

 Take care  look after Each Other and All your Bonsai Trees

 

Jim thelad

 Doug and Andy have fun

 

....and the result.

 

 Before.......

 

 ....and after.

 

 an Elm about to be truncated.....

 

....radically.

March Workshop -Steve Tolley 2

An Escallonia worked on by Rod

 

 Rod, hard at work refining his deadwood via power..

 ....and precision.

 

Simon's Itoigawa

 

  contemplation....

 

followed by action.

March Workshop -Steve Tolley

 Andy's Elm pre work.....

 

 removing unwanted branches....

 



 can sometimes mean 'getting by with a little help from your friends'

 

 Dave's interesting looking Larch....

...gets 'Tollster'ised!

Hi One and All

On the 3rd of March 2013 we had the privilege and pleasure of Mr Steven Tolley in our midst, the Gentleman who set-up Four Dimensional Art and Established the Steve Tolley Bonsai School in with the aim of helping to raise the standards of UK Bonsai

Once again to have Steve at one of our Sunday workshops was music to the ears of all the members who were present on the the day and they were,in No Particular order Sean, Bill G, Ian W, Dena, Ron, Andy H, Rod, Dave, Doug, Eddie, Tom and Simon Plus a Large variety of Bonsai Trees in all Shapes and Sizes and was held at the Gordales Garden Centre The UK Garden Retailer of the Year 2012 after written statements and mystery shopper visits had been shortlisted to one of four centres. Gordale was delighted to be awarded Gold Medal, which was presented by Terry and sponsors of the award, Stax. as taken from

http://www.gordale.co.uk/content/garden-retailer-year-2012

 

On with the workshop Mr Tolley wasted no-time in getting his sleeves rolled up when he arrived and was soon going round the workshop tables starting with Dave and his European Larch and soon we seen the Master Tolster in action giving Constructive Advice and his Professional Opinion will all the Enthusiasm that only someone with his Knowledge,Know-how and Experience could deliver and it was a joy and pleasure to watch and be there seeing him in Action

 

Another quality that stood out was Steve's relentless energy going from tree to tree member to member going back and forth checking making sure everyone knew what he was on about and if was ask a Question he listened explained and showed at times how to go about the task in hand 

 

Sadly to say I had to leave the workshop early due to Family reasons  and was unable to stay till the end of the Workshop and I am sure that everyone who was there would like to thank Godales Garden Centre for allowing W-B-S to hold another Sunday Workshop there and a thousand thanks to Rob for all his help organising the Workshop tables

 

Until the next time

 

Take care look after each other and all your Bonsai Trees

 

Jim thelad

February Workshop

Hi Everyone

On the 10th on February we had another visit to the Wonderful, Warm and Friendly Portsunlight Garden Centre for our Second Sunday of the Month Bonsai Workshop

Sorry to say NOT many members attended this session for various reasons including the forthcoming Swindon and District Winter Image Show being held on the 24th of February 2013 an event in which W-B-S Always try and support more info can be found

@  http://swindon-bonsai.co.uk/tag/swindon-winter-image-bonsai-show-2013/


 Andy and Tom brought all the tools and Eight Bonsai trees which included a Larch Two Azalea's,Potentilla,Black Pine,Privet,Hornbean and a Beautiful Iris Reticulata an early flowering plant in a Unusual Fascinating pot Andy once again was busy as always and did a lot of great work on Tom's Azalea plus wired his Bonsai Hornbean till he was contended with the result

 

During the day we had a few interested members of the public who stopped asked questions as to how and why it was possible to have small leaves on the Bonsai Trees also a Lady on Holiday from Dubai visiting her family was intrigued and chatted for a while about her time in Dubai also a few took away a Flyer about W-B-S

We all would like to say a Large thank-you the excellent Gentlemen who organised and set up the tables and benches for us to have our Bonsai Workshop and look forward to returning to this wonderful and excellent Garden Centre

That's about it for now  until next time Take care look after each other and enjoy looking and working with your Bonsai Trees

Jim thelad

Tom's Larch

Andy's Hornbeam

Andy's Maple

 

Tom's Azalea

January Workshop

 Nice Juniper

 

 Dougs Privet...before

 

 .....during......

 

.......and after work.

looking good Doug.

 

Hi One and All

It was good to see the back of the Snow and Frost as it was a good day weather wise for our First of the Year 2013 Sunday  Of The Month Bonsai Workshop which was held on the 27th January 2013 at Portsunlight Garden Centre here in the Wirral

On scene were Dena,Ron,Doug,Tom,Arthur,Rod,Andy and Mark and what a productive day it was with 21 Bonsai Trees, consisting of Privet,Larch, Deshojo, other Various Maples, Escalloiana Pines and a few other smaller trees on the Workshop Tables it was sleeves rolled up and plenty of action which included Re-potting, Wiring, Re-positioning of Trees, Branches Re-shaped, Root Pruning and Andy once again doing what he does best helping, encouraging, giving advice and most of ALL Listening to members suggestions and answering questions.

A rather Quiet day and Not a lot of members of the Public around but it was great to see once again Andy and his young son Ryan joining us for a short time at Portsunlight Garden Centre. Everyone work well with helping and listening to each other making suggestions,opinions and exchanging ideas

All that remains for me to say is a Large Thank-you to the Owner's and All the Staff at Portsunlight Garden Centre. for allowing  and welcoming Wirral Bonsai Society  into thier Beautiful Garden Centre

More info about Portsunlight Garden Centre can be found

 @    http://portsunlightgardens.co.uk/contact-us/

Until next time look after each other and all your Bonsai Trees

Jim thelad

November Workshop -Port Sunlight Garden Centre

Hi One and All

We were very fortunate about holding our Last Sunday of the Month Workshop this time as due to the Festive season being upon us we had to change locations so Andy,Tom, Brian, Sean, Dena, Ron, Bill D and Stan brought along thier Bonsai Trees and Bonsai Tools to work on the 25 various Trees that were on our Workshop Tables, consisting of a Few Privets,Few Chinese Elms, Couple of Larches, Deshojo, other Various Maples,Many Pines Large and Small, Hornbeans at the  Port Sunlight Garden Center  were the Garden Gentre was really geared up for Christmas with many many Christmas Trees, lots of Festive Decorations and the whole Garden Centre was catering for All ages as it seemed there was something for everyone and is Well Worth a Visit.

We started off at 10:30 am till 4:30pm and our  Workshop Tables location we excellently situated a few steps opposite the Greenhand Sun Lounge Cafe, and we had a nice warm Friendly, helpful welcome from everyone and many of the Public stopped to ask question about Bonsai and at our workshop.Sean was the Busiest and in fine form explaining to a Young Lady and her young son plus a few other others about various aspects of Bonsai Trees,Stan explained to a Wonderfully Mature Lady who stopped and asked questions,Tom, Dougie were also involved along with Bill D,and Brian a Santa in the making answering questions from various people.
Once again it was great to have Andy and his young Lad Ryan joining us at Portsunlight Garden Centre.

Andy H.was Excellent on the day as he was the Mentor for All Members as he work his socks off enjoying himself Working, Advising Creating new Ideas on Members Trees to the Delight of Happy and Grateful Members of Wirral Bonsai Society who enjoyed his encouragement and knowledge Experience

Before I Close We ALL  AT W-B-S would like to thank Jess and Everyone at the  Fantastic and Delightful  Port Sunlight Garden Center for their warm hospitality and making All of us feel Welcomed and Wish You All That You Wish for Yourself and Lot more in 2013

To You ALL who take time to Browse our Web Blog a Huge Thank-you and where ever you maybe Have a Wonderful and Happy Christmas and Successful New Year in 2013 and beyond

More images of the November Workshop 2012 can be found by a Google Search

WirralBonsai Thelad

Or

http://www.facebook.com/theweelad 

or

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelad/

 Wide angle shot of the team -Jim playing with a new toy??

-

 Dougs Privet....lookin fine....

-

 .....as some fine work is undertaken...open wide

-

Statler and Waldorf take a break....

unusual bonsai christmas tree on the right..complete with lights!

Take care and look after each other and all your Bonsai Trees

Jim thelad

October Workshop

a bunch of 'strangers' at play

" if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew you never knew." Pocahontas

 

 see above

 

Happy Birthday Tom

 

 

Hi Everybody
On the 28th of October Tom,Bill D,Rod (from Bolton),Andy H,Brian,Eddie,Sean,Bill G Dougie,Les.John and it was Great to See Tom G, after such a long time due to ill health and we all hope he will be up and running and back to attending our Society meetings and workshops soon and once again we had a good selection of trees as we had 18 Bonsai trees available to work on such as a Large Maple various Pines and Junipers,Elms, Redwood,Larch

It was a very busy day at Gordales Garden Center as a Halloween Event was taken place with many many Pumpkins being Carved out and taken home by excited children and happy parents and guardians.

Young Ryan and his dad Andy enjoyed a few hours at our workshop tables with Andy H being Ryans mentor for the day and they both seem to work well together and enjoying the experience

It was a bit quiet with the public to start with and that gave members a chance to work on their own trees and help and advise each other plus throw in the odd bit of Banter and few jokes not suitable for tender ears

Later on few more members arrived and after the initial "what time do you call this!!! or

Good Evening!!" all members had thier hands and minds busy with question and explanation from the public as to why and what has happened to thier  Own Bonsai tree. Bill had the pleasure of helping and Elderly couple who brought in a Bonsai tree belonging to thier grand children a young boy called Oliver and his younger sister Scarlett whilst Bill was checking out the tree I sought permission from the Grand-parent for thier names and being allowed to take thier images  whilst at out Bonsai workshop tables
Also a Day late BUT it did not stop our Birthday Boy Tom celebrating his 70th Birthday Cake with the members and having his Family ,grand children having thier images taken holding Tom's Bonsai tree.

It was once again and enjoyable day and we all looking forward to being back again in November the 28th for our last Sunday of the month workshop and look forward to seeing you with your bonsai trees or anything related to Bonsai pop in to Gordales Garden Center and see us at our Bonsai workshop tables also enjoy the exciting things that the Garden Center have on display during the time of year

Just a reminder that the images from the workshop will be on display on Facebook @

http://www.facebook.com/theweelad 

or              http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelad/

 or Google Search          Wirral Bonsai Society thelad

You should find information  about where to see our images of events and past shows

and on Youtube         Wirral Bonsai Society thelad       where you should find some short video clips of W-B-S  Members Annual Show 2012 and Octobers Workshop from GGC (Gordales Garden Center)  here in the  Wirral

Hope you are all well and enjoying all your bonsai trees

Take care of each other

Jim thelad

September Workshop

 Ryan getting useful advice from Andy....

-

 then gets on with it himself.

-

 Security at the workshop is stepped up another notch!

-

Andy, taking somebody else under his wing......

......get it.....oh.. never mind

Hi Everyone,

On Sunday the 30th September with the weather not all that great how-ever it did not stop a few W-B-S members gathering thier Bonsai Trees and Tools and headed to our Monthly Bonsai Retreat at the Gordales Garden Center a Prize Winning Award Garden Center here in the Wirral

Getting stuck into the action we had Eddie,Tom, Bill, Andy,Ian,Les a (new member plus another   member) a Gentleman whose name I can't recall at the moment.On the Bonsai Workshop Tables we had good selection of Bonsai Trees such as 6 x Junipers all different sizes and Types,2x Chinese Elms,Larch,2 x Hornbeam's,Japanese Holly,Honeysuckle,Privet,Redwood,Ficus and a Wackoff (Large) English Elm belonging to Andy H

Starting us all of we had a Gentleman and his son waiting for us as we laid out the tables and chairs for the workshop.The Young boy was Ryan a local 10 year old who we had spoken to in past workshops and bought a few Bonsai Trees in the past and brought them back into the workshop for help and guidance which Andy was willing to help and soon had Ryan behind the desk working along side him,whilst Ryan's Dad stood Proud and Admiring his Young Son across the Workshop Tables.

It was not long before Ryan after listening and watching Andy,had the tools in his hand following Andy's instructions and later it was Dad's turn to work on the tree whilst Ryan watched and when it was time to go after they finished they both thanked Andy and we are all sure it will not be the last time we see this young boy and his Dad back at our workshops in the future

As the day went on it was rather quiet time with the guys working on thier own trees until around Mid-day when we had a few people stopping intrigued to see what was going on chatting asking questions and we also had a Success, a Lady whose Bonsai Tree was in need of some Drastic TLC    ( Tender Loving Care) a few months back and has visited our Sunday Workshops and our Annual Members Show Brought in her Bonsai Tree and was smiling and extremely happy with the Result after the Advice and Guidance she was given by W-B-S Members and for us it means a LOT as we are seeing the results of Our and the GGC's efforts of having our Bonsai Sunday Workshops.

 

It was a quiet day but very productive and we all enjoyed our session and would like to thanks everyone at the GGC for allowing Wirral Bonsai Society To hold another of our Last Sunday of the Month W and look forward to our next visit on the Workshop on the  Sunday the 28th of October BUT REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR CLOCKS and WATCHES FORWARD as British Summer Time Ends on 27/28th 

So until then take care look after each other and all your Bonsai Trees and anything Bonsai Related

More images of our Last Sunday of the Month Workshop can be seen on 

http://www.facebook.com/theweelad

Or just Google Search :   Wirral Bonsai Society  or  Wirral Bonsai thelad

July 2012 Workshop at gordales

Hi Everyone

Trust you are all well and thank-you for reading our exploits and looking at the images of this months Last Sunday of the Month July Workshop held at the GGC.( Gordale's Award Winning Garden Center)

Present for to-days get together were Arthur,Andy, Bill,Tom,Doug,Tony, Ian and Brian and we had a good selection of over 20 Bonsai Trees available to work on from Various Pines and Junipers,Various Maples,Chinese Elms, Triple Trunk Hornbeam, Large Privet and Pontentilla's
With the Summer season in full swing and many other Major Events happening around and up and down  the Country or even on the Television we did not expect a Large turnout and found as the day went on It was an extremely quiet day but on saying that it was great that some members of the public stopped at our workshop tables to ask questions or just to have a chat which everyone was pleased with as gave our talented members a chance to help,advise or even explain what and why we Love and Keep Bonsai Trees in Small Pots.  Once again it was good to see a gentleman back again who has paid out tables a few visit in the past with Tom assisting with his Bonsai Tree..During the course of the day we were delighted that Mrs Nicholson took time from her busy schedule to stop by at our tables for a chat with a few members And on that note we all would like to thank ALL THE STAFF at The GGC for allowing W-B-S to hold its extremely valuable Workshop Sundays

Until the next time take care and look after all your Bonsai Trees

More images of the Sunday Workshop can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/theweelad

Jim thelad

 The sign says it all....

-

 ...more tea vicar?

-

Fully refreshed Tony does his best Peter Adams impression

-

 'Ill just try that technique myself ....while nobody's looking' 

-

 Isle one Zelkova...

isle two Beech

-

..a peculiarly Scottish feeding technique!

Funday At Gordales 7th and 8th July 2012 #2

A marvellous display of Accents,...... All courtesy of Andy.

May Workshop

Hi Everyone

On the 29^th Of April W-B-S 2012 held it’s Last Sunday of the Month Workshop at the One and Only Gordales Garden Center Britain's Best Garden Retailer, Independent Retail Outlet of the Year and Garden Centre of the Year!here in the Wirral and what a day it was as the Rain seem to stay on forever but it did NOT stop some of the Bonsai Diehards from attending the workshop to work on their own trees along with assisting any members of the public with questions and answers to any of the problems they had with their own or bought Bonsai Trees

On call were Dave,Tom,Bill T,Andy,Doug,Bill G,Sean,Brian and Ian along with the Bonsai Trees to be worked on we had a Large Olive Tree,Twin Large, Deshojo Maple,Two Potentilla,Korean Hornbeam,Pieris Forest Flame,Yew ,Spruce and Two Privets’

It was a quiet day but we did have our regular couple who brought in images of their Bonsai Tree to seek advice on so Doug, Andy, Ian, were available to assist them another couple brought a Chinese Elm to the workshop table and Ian worked on the Elm for them and they both were grateful and pleased with the result Dave, Sean, Bill T, Bill G and Tom help many members of the public with any question and some who just stop to say Hello and a chat

Later in the afternoon we had a nice visit from Former Newsletter Editor of the Japan Society North West, A sweet charming young Lady Yuko Howes, who recorded some footage for her new blog, Japan Outpost (www.japanoutpost.org.uk). In this blog, she reports various Japanese culture-related activities by British people in and around Greater Manchester.

It was a pleasant day and we all enjoyed each other’s company with Sean stealing the limelight with HIS TRUE STORY of an Escaped Stag explaining that on Friday 27^thApril at 07:am Sean and Paddy had the First sighting then later in the afternoon at 3:30 pm another sighting with Paddy in pursuit at a Place in Huyton (The exact location is being withheld to prevent poachers) Police, Motorway Police and Knowsley Safari Park Rangers where monitoring the situation as the animal may have escaped from the park!!!!!!!

But a Spokesperson has reported that “PADDY has refused to talk or say anything”

Once again we all like to Thank Mr and Mrs Nicholson and all the Staff and the Award Winning Garden Centre for supporting W-B-S Sunday Workshop

Sorry to say there will be No Sunday Workshop on the Last Sunday 27th MayMore images of the Sunday Workshop can be found @

http://www.facebook.com/theweelad

Many thanks for reading our Blog and we welcome any comments from you

Take care look after each other and all your Bonsai Trees

Jim thelad

 Interesting approach to tree styling

 Ian's eye sight isn't what it used to be......... a bit more to the right, Ian

 A puzzled look.......what do you do with these??

 An unusual position,.... for the tree and Ian!

A good array of trees (and an odd array of people)