Bonsai Chat is a day each month when enthusiasts from across the region gather together at the nursery to share their  common interest in our hobby.

As unlikely as it may seem the day is free of charge !!!

Brian came up from Middlesbrough and brought his nice hornbeam to work on.

This is a shot that is typical of ” Chat ” days, the tree, tools laid out  and a cupper to hand !

Regular John had one of his larch to prune.

Keeping focus on the job in hand despite the hovering camera man .

Willowbogger Antony was wiring his larch.

My imput into the progress, after all, it is a tree that I dug up.

Another tree that I collected, and another Japanese larch, this example being re-potted yesterday wit buds just opening.

Largely responsible for the excellent progress with this bonsai is Peter  G , the owner.

Between us we got it just about perfect in the pot.

Growing medium in now.

Just about done.

Rapidly becoming a regular at these events is David seen here talking to me as The G-man puts the final touches to the larch re-pot.

Yesterday David brought his daughter Louise along to wet her appetite for the pastime. Nice to see a new face and a lady at that.

Trust Len to get in there with some advice on Louise’s juniper raw material.

It would be sound advice from someone who has a lot of bonsai years under his belt.

We were spoilt with the company of two ladies yesterday, Willowbogger Diane also brought a larch to wire.

I don’t think that wiring is Diane’s first love but if you take your time and think about what you should be doing  it can be one of the most rewarding parts of the art.

Apart from occasionally looking up to catch the photographers attention, she stuck pretty well to her task all day.

On the other hand my task is to wander round trying to look busy.

Like most ‘ Chat ‘ days it was a combination of working on trees, looking at trees being worked on and talking about trees being worked on.

Neil does not look that cheerful in this shot but hopefully him and Jimmy, having travelled up from Teesside, nevertheless enjoyed their day at Willowbog Bonsai.

Thanks to Billy and Len for taking these photos.