Who Are We?

South Staffs Bonsai was formed in 1988 by Malcolm and Kath Hughes. The society started in a youth centre in the southern part of Staffordshire - hence the name South Staffs. With numerous different eras and peak membership up to 60 members at one point in time, the society has seen much in the way of evolution in the decades that have gone by and yet always preserved its passion for the art and horticulture of bonsai trees. Past guest speakers have included a who's who of British bonsai legacy including the late Harry Tomlinson, Peter Adams and Paul Goff. The likes of Marc Noelanders (Belgium), Chase Rosada (USA), Colin Lewis (USA) and Lindsay Bebb (Australia) and have also visited the society in years gone by and shared their wisdom with members. 

Now in the mid 2020s, membership is once again flourishing with regular guests including the likes of John Trott, David Cheshire and Corin Tomlinson amongst others. The standard of members trees has improved dramatically in recent years and with the leadership of the society still under the experienced hands of British bonsai figurehead Malcolm Hughes, many of our members have become a hugely active part of the national bonsai scene contributing to the Friends of the National Bonsai Collection and assisting to the work of the The Federation of British Bonsai Societies. Since the turn of the decade South Staffs Bonsai have been awarded the prestigious RHS platinum award at Gardeners World Live in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as the society looks to welcome and empower a new generation of bonsai enthusiasts. 

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