The 3rd Newstead Bonsai Exhibition held by the John Hanby Bonsai School and the Newstead Bonsai Centre in West Yorkshire, was held over the weekend of the 20th and 21st September 2008. The Newstead event is firmly established as a not-to be missed event for bonsai in the UK.

Over 180 top-class Bonsai were on show in the specially designed exhibition with the standard and quality of the trees exceeding everybody's expectations. Every tree had been prepared to the very best standard by both enthusiasts and professionals equally.

• Images of the Newstead 2008 winners >>
• Images from the Newstead 2008 exhibition >>
• Newstead 2008 Exhibition DVD - buy online >>

This year saw, many more shohin and chuhin entries – with a display bench the length of the entire exhibition hall given over for this increasingly popular size of bonsai. The rest of the exhibition presented many beautifully designed bonsai of both Europe and Asian origin – all accompanied by exquisite accent plants and scrolls.

A popular section of the show was given over to intriguing displays of antique bonsai pots by Craig Coussins and several suiseki displays, including a fantastic display by the Celtic knot bonsai group from Wales .

As in the previous Newstead exhibition, Japanese master, Mr Nobutaka Sakuma and Danny Use from the Ginkgo Bonsai Centre presented very enjoyable and informative demonstrations throughout the weekend. Hundreds of visitors listened attentively as Danny explained and translated as Mr Sakuma expertly created several stunning group and rock plantings from maple, beech and juniper material - specially imported from Japan for the event.

Mr Sakuma and Danny again selected the awards for the show, with a special new award presented this year by the British Shohin Association. The specially designed bronze trophies were presented for various categories, including large size, medium size, chuhin and shohin trees plus the best tree and pot combination and an award voted for by the show visitors.

Hundreds of visitors from across the UK converged on Newstead for the weekend with many well known artists attending and exhibiting trees, including Dan Barton, Steve Tolley, Graham Potter, Dave Prescott, Peter Warren, John Armitage, David Jones and John Pitt.

The exhibition at Newstead is always special – with natural lighting, well designed and spacious display areas creating a unique and engaging atmosphere. This year, the exhibition featured a specially designed area of trees and material in various stages of development and creation – helping to explain to visitors how some of the techniques are used in this fascinating hobby in an open and accessible way.

The team at the Newstead Bonsai Centre again delivered a hugely successful event thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who attended. Students of the John Hanby Bonsai School all worked tirelessly over the preceding months to help create the stunning exhibition - it is only with this support and commitment can the Newstead show be realised.

The Newstead 2008 winners:

• Best Large size tree winner: Ian Stewardson – Pinus Sylvestris
• Best Mid-size tree winner: Itoigawa Juniper
• Best Chuhin tree winner: John Armitage - Itoigawa Juniper
• Best Shohin display winner: Duncan Heild– Shohin Display
• Derek Aspinall Trophy for the best tree/
  pot combination: Len Evans- Korean Hornbeam
• The public’s favourite tree: Graham Potter - Bougainvillea
  
• British Shohin Association award: Duncan Heild– Shohin Display

The bronze cast awards were again specially designed and commissioned to celebrate the UK's number one Bonsai Exhibition – with the winners delighted to win their awards and be chosen by such a well respected Japanese Bonsai Master.

The British Shohin Association award was selected by John Armitage and Peter Warren - a specially designed and commissioned award and certificate were presented to the winning display.

Winning Trees (please click any image for larger view)

Best Large size tree Pinus Sylvestris	Best Mid-size tree Itoigawa Juniper
Best Chuhin tree Itoigawa Juniper	Best Shohin display & British Shohin Association award
Derek Aspinall Trophy for the best tree/pot combination Korean Hornbeam	The public’s favourite tree Bougainvillea

Images from the Newstead 3 exhibition (please click any image for larger view)

Tokonama display	Tokonama display
View from the exhibition	View from the exhibition
View from the exhibition	View from the exhibition
Itoigawa Juniper in exhibition	Taxus in exhibition
View from the exhibition	Shohin display in exhibition
Accent plant from the exhibition	View from the exhibition
View from the Suiseki display	One of Mr Sakuma's group plantings
Mr Sakuma at work	Mr Sakuma at work
Danny Use & John Hanby	Dan & Ci Barton talking with Steve Tolley

Newstead 3 Exhibition DVD now available!!

An Exhibition DVD of the Newstead 3 Extravaganza is now available from the Newstead Bonsai centre and to BUY ONLINE, featuring stunning images of all of the exhibition trees, Mr Sakuma’s demonstrations and completed compositions, views around the exhibition plus much. much more.

2008 - 3rd Newstead Bonsai Extravaganza Report >>

2006 - 2nd Newstead Bonsai Extravaganza Report >>

2004 - 1st Newstead Bonsai Extravaganza Report >>

Also see...

• Bonsai Classes & Workshops at the Bonsai School >>
• John Hanby Bonsai School Study Group >>