My interest in gardening was cultivated at an early age - four to be exact, when I started school in North London. The morning was taken up with ‘lessons’ and after lunch we had a short rest and then all filed out to our ‘garden’. In later years when I was married and took my husband to see ‘my past’ I was amazed to think we had so much enjoyment from such a pitiful piece of dirt. We were given the odd plant and a few seeds - which always seemed to grow - as well as growing the obligatory mustard and cress in half eggshells which were kept on a window sill and once a month provided half a sandwich for tea!

My interest in trees in particular started when I joined the Girl Guide movement as a Brownie. Nature Study was just as important as learning to dance around the toadstool. Later as a Guide it was important to recognize trees especially when collecting firewood for cooking and the campfire. The poor old Ash tree came in for some punishment as being the best all-around tree for burning. Wet, dry, old or new made no difference to the Ash, it was a good smokeless burner whatever. I have always been interested in trees, the horse chestnut being my favourite. Whatever the season it has something to offer - beautiful big sticky buds, unusual fan like leaves, a lovely scented candle-like flower which eventually produces conkers.

Small miniature trees have always fascinated me and the first real display of bonsai in any number I saw was at the Southsea Show many years ago. I took some photographs - which I still have - and borrowed some books from the public library, but that was as far as it went at that time. Even if there had been any clubs to join I was too occupied with getting married and raising a family. One day, using some home made compost I discovered a growing conker and immediately planted it with the intention of growing a bonsai. Just about that time Keith, my husband, came home one day to say there was a display of bonsai in the Guildhall. It was part of the Ideal Homes Exhibition which they staged in those days. We went along to see it and ended up having a long chat with Mac Penson who told us about the Solent Bonsai Society We visited another club as well but preferred this one.

After a couple of years I volunteered to run the library which freed Mac to concentrate on helping other members with their trees. After seven years I decided I wanted a change and became the Magazine Editor. This lasted for five years and then Publicity took up 3 years before I had a rest from the Committee.  Now after two years I am working again, this time as the Webmaster of our website and Magazine Editor until someone else comes forward!.