* This must stand alone; to Steve Tolley who was the reason (or excuse) for the whole thing, whose request set the

ball rolling and who also sponsored those magnificent trophies that have so proudly been taken to three people’s homes.

Also to Steve for all the hard work he put in finalising the selection and arranging the exhibition to near perfection.

THEN

· First and foremost, The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses, who allowed us to use their

magnificent facilities. Most especially James Wheeler , the Director, who was so incredibly willing and helpful and made

everything seem a pleasure. Without the Gardens this event could not have taken place, we could never have afforded

such facilities.

· Secondly to the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, who whose sponsorship made possible the bringing

over two of the best demonstrators in Europe .

· To all the Selectors who worked hard to ensure we had trees of sufficient quality and number to make final

selection worthwhile and the Exhibition such a joy to behold.

· Next, to all those enthusiasts and bonsai lovers from all over the UK ., who took the trouble to prepare and put

forward their trees for selection - without you there could be no Exhibition.

· Now to all the Traders, whose quality and variety of products made a lot of people go away very happy.

I was told before the event that I had too many traders, that it would not work. The results proved them wrong; the main

comment I had from many, many people was how much money they had spent and how wonderful it was to have such

a range and choice of products. Thank you all and I hope you made good profits.

· Now to all the Bonsai Society secretaries/chairmen/contacts who passed on my volumes of correspondence

that enabled you all to hear of what was being planned, and to some for arranging coach or mini bus groups to attend.

This list is getting formidable

· To Craig Coussins for so willingly stepping into the breach in setting up the web site that made the event

known to so many people, and to updating at such speed that I was endlessly amazed. I don’t think he ever goes to bed.

· To Rene and Farand from ‘Bonsai Focus’ who helped a definite amateur put together posters to get the

publicity we needed, and not forgetting Dan Barton whose artistic and graphic skills added impact to my efforts.

Also to Rene and Farand for their offers of free tickets to a lucky few.

· To those British demonstrators who so willingly came forth and gave their services and skills so

enthusiastically and whose talents and results brought so many comments and appreciation from their audiences.

· To John Armitage and The British Shohin Association who staged that amazing display on the stage

of the Terrace Suite. I would like to see a branch of that organisation set up here in the Midlands , I know I am getting

too old for large trees and those small trees were so beautiful.

· To those generous individuals who offered awards for areas of the event:

1. First to Steve Tolley for those magnificent pieces of art for the main award winners and to include Mark Jones

for his design work and Stuart Griffin for the execution of it.

2. To Charlotte Walby for ‘The Best Landscape’ prize.

3. To Graham Potter for ‘The Best Indigenous tree’ prize.

4. To The British Shohin Association for their Award.

5. To ‘Bonsai Focus’ magazine for their own choice’ of the Best Tree.

6. To  John Pitt for producing the three limited edition pots that accompanied the Steve Tolley awards for the three winning trees
‘The Best British Bonsai’ awards,  presented to: Dave Hannah, Ian Stewardson and John Armitage

· For Paul Goff for a very early start on Friday, for his amazing dedication and capacity for long hours of

unflappable concentration - thank you Paul . This we hope will continue until in few months the book will be

produced and all of you out there will have purchased your copies.

· Yet more - to ABBA and the Bristol Bonsai Society for their generous loan of the backdrops which made

such a difference to the quality of the displays and most particularly to Mo Fagan and Simon Temblett to their

dedication and effort in getting there at the crack of dawn to ensure all was ready for set up.

· And I think finally to the ABSOLUTELY essential red shirts brigade, who gave unstintingly of their time

and effort to help make the event run smoothly, who I hope enjoyed the weekend despite the long, long hours

on their feet and for those outside in a distinctly chilly wind. You worked way and above “the call of duty” -

there was almost always someone there when help was needed. A special thank you to Vic Yeomans from

a grateful public who now know where the toilets are. A special thought for Ann Maloney for tirelessly keeping

everyone well lubricated through long hours of work

And finally - to all the wives, husbands, girl friends etc who let you out for the weekend.

Do please let me know if I have forgotten some one, I have tried very hard not to.

Again, our thanks and appreciation to you all

Kath & Malcolm