British Shohin Association: 6th Annual Exhibition - 10th & 11th March 2012

The British Shohin Association are proud to announce the 6th Annual Exhibition - to be held on Saturday 10th and 11th March 2012 at Willowbog Bonsai

Following on from the success of the practical workshop based “Shohin Off” event in March last year, the BSA annual exhibition makes a welcome return this year with a new and improved show format which promises to be bigger and better than ever!! We therefore extend a warm invitation to all bonsai enthusiasts to take part in our popular and enjoyable show. This event will be held at the excellent Willowbog Bonsai nursery and exhibition area on the weekend of 10th and 11th March 2012 and will be open to members and non-members alike.

For the exhibition section, as in previous years we invite individual exhibitors to display single trees or compositions of Shohin, Mame and Chuhin trees.

As we recognise it is sometimes difficult to put together a full 3,5 or 7 tree composition on an individual basis, we would more than welcome group entries. So we invite Bonsai clubs the length and breadth of the UK to put together a club composition featuring the best trees the members possess to form a collaborative effort.

But it doesn’t stop there! As a new, more inclusive feature to our show aimed at those of you who are beginning to reach the level where you would like to display your trees but are not sure of the final steps, we enthusiastically invite you to bring them along your small trees that you think are nearly show-worthy and under the guidance of Peter Warren and John Armitage they will be prepared for the show and displayed as part of a larger composition or as an individual tree in a special display area. This is an all-inclusive event and we are aiming to show you the fun of participating in the BSA show and also help you to improve your trees and displays. We even have two new award categories this year for the 'Best Collaborative Composition' and the 'Best Work-in-Progress Tree'.

So do not worry if you:
• think your tree is not ready
• do not have the time to prepare your trees
• do not have stands, scrolls, accents (we have a wide range of special shohin stands and accompaniments for free use over the weekend)
• are not a member of the BSA – you don’t need to be a member to take part (however…. if you do want to become a member, and we’d love you to , then it’s only £20 and quick and easy to sign-up)

We are here to help with advice, moss and more stands than you can shake a stick at!

Come and join in!!
Should you wish to enter compositions or individual trees for the Show, please Email Peter at Willowbog at info@willowbog-bonsai.co.uk

Remember the Show is open to both members and non-members to exhibit trees

There will be the usual suspects of side-events, traders and of course the legendary Saturday Night meal and entertainment.

You are most welcome and we'd love to you to come along and join in - this is sure to be a not-to-be-missed event.

More information about Shohin Off is available now on the BSA website >>


The image below is the fantastic winning display from last year's Shohin' Off event - Mark & Ritta Cooper's composition:

Thanks for the update Duncan,
Looking forward to seeing you and the gang and some fantastic displays of mame, shohin & chuhin bonsai.
A show definitely not to be missed !

See you soon bud

John

And, I have to be 'stuck" here on the other side of the pond!

Hopefully between you and Mark Cooper we'll get some coverage for us "less fortunate"

with great expectations

Hi Dick,
I'm sure for a gentleman like you we'll be able to get plenty of pictures on the site.
I've just become the proud owner of a new cho jubai, I'll send you a PM for your thoughts on a pot.

Cheers

John

Not forgetting the mega report in the Spring edition of the newsletter.

My speech teacher in college used to say if you want to be a good speaker, first you tell em what your gonna tell em, then tell em, then tell em what you told em.....

So if we get coverage on IBC and The Shohin newsletter, that'd be great!

Looking forward to seeing your chojubai

Only 4 Weeks to go to this great event.
If you wish to display trees or compositions, then make sure you let Peter Snart know as soon as possible
on info@willowbog-bonsai.co.uk
Hope to see some of you there

Graham
Secretary - BSA

The kid's muffit, called Miss piggy, an endearing clamorous pig, is oft times quoted for her famous line of "more is NOT enough".
In lieu of the shohin coverage at Swindon this past weekend, I am really getting anxious for this show.

I can't wait

Hi Everyone,
Less than 2 weeks to this great event
Hope some of you can make it to Northumberland for one or both days
All info on website
http://www.shohin.org.uk/

Graham

hi,
yes I'll be travelling up from Cornwall, perfect timing as my copper wire supplies are very low. Just be visiting on the saturday though, driving back home sunday!!

cheers Marcus

Me and a mate will be coming over on the boat

See you there...

I will also be there on the Saturday, looking for inspiration and some top class pots

Regards

Robert Nocher

I will be there on Sunday to witness the Wirral boys in full post Andy's Birthday Party morning after face



[Original Picture deleted owing to complaints.]

Not sure how this got past the mods but very disappointed to find this type of display

I have to agree with Dick,this photo does not show the BSA Vice chair in good light
It also reflects badly on the BSA in general, and should not have been posted

Graham - BSA Secretary

From Fiona - IBC Moderator.

I have removed the picture from Tony's post as it seems to have caused offence. I would point out that it was not taken at a BSA event, nor was the photographee representing the BSA at the time it was taken.

From Fiona - personal response

I have absolutely no doubt Tony intended the picture in the spirit of fun and in no way maliciously. As a BSA committee member I personally did not find it offensive although I accept others might. All I will say is that the main thing that has kept me involved in the BSA over the years is the way that it manages to combine some top quality and serious bonsai activity with a lot of fun. The pic (and my own post which I have also removed lest it, too, offended) were intended IMHO solely to convey a degree of that fun.

But in the spirit of bonsai fellowship, apologies to those offended.

Back on thread, I'll be there along with some of my "babies"



Not too sure if this will last until then but I'm enjoying it now all the same. Thee will be 3 (+1 ex-pat Wirralite) coming up from Kent this year. You never know, we might need a minibus in future years!!

See ya all then,
Ook, Ook,
Simon

Dear oh dear... are we all so sensitive? if its OK for William N. Valavanis... then its fine for me. This image has been seen prior to this post by the wider Bonsai community Here

NOTE: I did not take this photo

There`s some sensitive people out there, you should know better T. You should come up on the Saturday to share Andy`s birthday and we can all be sensitive together Can`t wait.

Ian.

haha - i remember the story relating to the picture - didnt someone squash or stand on his finger? its been on an IBC thread recently for sure with no complaint so why knock Tony for just changing the context a little? Maybe some posts should be prefixed with a parental warning to save offence to the delicate among us?

regards Marcus

Personally I thought it was a fine example of expressing your own opinions by our Vice- chair. I hope nobody will be offended if the Wirral crew choose to exercise their freedom of opinion or expression in the spirit of fun. Looking forward to seeing anyone with a sense of humour and a camera......

Regards,

Andy.

The Lad wrote: Here's hoping I don't get the boot or put in the naughty corner AGAIN.
Jim thelad with a Sense of Humour and a Camera

Aye, you will, Jim. But only for this part of your post that I've underlined so the readers can appreciate the full horror:

The Lad wrote:I have a camera and a sense of humour and very often I am allowed to express this whilst being a member of W-B-S at Society Meetings and Workshops plus support the Blue Side of Glasgow

And anyway, shouldn't that be the soon-to-be-former Blue Side of Glasgow? JOKE!!!! C',mon the 'ton! (The Greenock ones, not the Scouse ones)

See you all there

Regards

Andy