Big trip for bonsai group

TWEED Border Bonsai Club members have returned from a study tour of Japan’s most prestigious bonsai sites and will share their insights at a workshop on Saturday, May 24.

The group spent six days in Tokyo and visited the Kokufu-ten exhibition and the Omiya Bonsai Village, home to some of the country’s best-known bonsai artists and nurseries.

Tweed club member Frank Kaczmarek, who has up to 70 plants at his home, said the trip was a long-held dream.

“I was always fascinated by bonsai, and once I got to retirement age I was able to build up a collection to satisfy my interest,” he said.

“I’ve been to Japan a few times skiing, but this was always something else I had wanted to do.

“The Kokufu-ten exhibition is one of the biggest and most prestigious they have, and we visited one of the most important bonsai pottery production areas in the country.

“There are still some historic pottery kilns preserved in this hilly town known for using a dark brown clay for most of its pots.

“Many of the bonsai pots produced here are by renowned potters and command very high prices worldwide.”

The Tweed Border Bonsai Club has about 50 members and meets on the fourth Saturday of each month at the Tweed Heads South Community Centre, from 10am to 4pm.

Meetings include workshops, demonstrations, and pest management advice, with members encouraged to bring along their trees.

To join or find out more, contact Geoff Cousins at [email protected]