Solent Bonsai Society
Founded 1978 Hon President - Peter Chan from Herons Bonsai
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Fareham Gardeners Market 12 May 2007
The above event was held as part of the Fareham in Bloom competition sponsored by the Council and in conjunction with the smaller event which involved Baroness Margaret Thatcher commemorating a ‘Falklands Arch’ accompanied by the rousing sounds of the Royal Marine Band and a march past by Naval and British Legion personnel.
With the main body of the Show Committee away as guests of the Salisbury Bonsai Club it fell to Richard Hodge and me to prepare and exhibit trees on behalf of our Club.
It was an early start. I met Richard in the Fareham pedestrian area at 0700 where a number of small marquees had been erected. I sought out the man with the clipboard to ascertain where he we were supposed to set up our display and as we were the first to arrive he invited us to choose our pitch. We bundled our stuff into the marquee nearest to the burger van thus ensuring we had a plentiful supply of coffee and east without having to stray too far. It also ensured a plentiful supply of punters (or should I say interested members of the public) and a plentiful supply there most certainly was.
As always ‘How old?’ and ‘How much?’ We did however have a good few who were genuinely interested in the ‘bonsai process’ and a good number of those showed interest in the fact that our Club existed in the near vicinity.
Our display too was well received and we had a number of favourable comments not only about individual trees but about the display as a whole. Although staged in an area of approximately 10’ by 2’6” it was not only varied but also balanced and harmonious. I hope you will agree that the photograph conveys the same appeal to those of us who are interested not only in bonsai but in the art of preparing and displaying our trees.
Two other pluses for the day – we didn’t get wet and bacon butties and coffee were great.
The only drawback – we didn’t take chairs.
Reporter – Eddie Savory