What a weekend!!!  Not only did the club members of all the clubs attended the show, but they also took part in the events, socialize with other club members and most important, interacted with the public informing them of the art of bonsai.  Best of all, is that it will continue until the 11th September.

An initiative from club members lead to meetings with the Cape Town City Council, forming a partnership between Bonsai Clubs in the Western Cape and the City Council.

This was built around arbor week under the management of three members: Freddie, Hennie and Willem.

The idea around the partnership was that both the bonsai enthusiasts and the City Council could meet each other in an environment where both contribute to, and benefit from one another.

On the 3rd September, the show opened in The Gardens.  20 Large trees ("four man trees" - it needs four men to move it) were displayed on the show.  These trees are never on show due to their size, but the City Council assisted in transporting them and now they are on show.

Workshops were held during the day, where first members were assisted by three bonsai masters, Vicky, Rudi and Carl to refine their trees and then the bonsai artists helped members of the public to work on their trees.  Further demonstrations were held in the afternoon by the bonsai masters and artists working on several trees, where the public could watch them.

What a success.  Most of the audience were public members, which were hanging onto every word.  At 4 o'clock there was still a large group watching the event.

Club members will be on duty during the rest of the show to assist members of the public that want to work on their trees, and who would like more information as well as guided tours between the trees.

Well done to the organizers for a brilliant event as well as the City of Cape Town for taking part and supporting this event.

All I can say, is thank you for for a brilliant show. Invite everybody to come and attend the show, and have a walk through the gardens.  Most of us remember the gardens as a place where you were bothered by drunks and beggars harassing you for money.  The City of Cape Town went through a lot of trouble to clean the gardens up. It's now worth the visit and an excellent place to bring the family for an afternoon picnic.