Is it true that support for bonsai groups is waning? Certainly new members do not seem so many these last few years but the ones that have come along to our group have stayed, which is always good news. Every group has the odd person who comes along for a few meetings, maybe even joins and then drifts away after a year.

The financial situation with families is getting ever tighter and parents are run ragged with ferrying the children to their various passions of the moment, but it does not mean that there are those who cannot get very interested in bonsai growing. We know what a therapeutic hobby it is, so if you are stressed at work but have a bit of time when you like to tend the garden, bear in mind that growing and tending the trees is an art hundreds of years old. There is nothing magic about it but the learning process is fascinating and fun. It can be a solitary art as there are those who do not favour joining a club, but even club members admit that when they style a tree, they do it for the pleasure it gives them. When you are working on a tree, you forget yourself and just get immersed in what is going to be best for the tree's health and how it will look.

If you go away for a period of time, think about who you ask to water your trees! Quite often a friendly neighbour does not always understand that watering bonsai is not just a 'quick splash' from a can or hose, so friends within your bonsai group can be much more reliable. This is all part of belonging to the bonsai community.   We are not alone!

• Related interests: My own interests cover suiseki, scrolls, koi, netsuki and most things Japanese, especially gardens, I have included those as well because I know I am not alone! My other hobby is patchwork and quilting but I will avoid that here!

I am certain there are even more bonsai events in the UK during the year, so do not hesitate to send them to me. Please give details of either a website or email or phone number for a contact, so people can get further information. Dates are beginning to arrive for 2009 so I shall have to get busy with that page soon! The Best of British Bonsai event at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on 11-12 April (Easter weekend) 2009 should be a great new event!

A few of the more popular European events are listed as it is worth considering if you are hosting, as the keener bonsai growers often take the trouble to cross the Channel!

BonsaiDil