ENTHUSIASTS from across the country gathered at the Grange Leisure Centre on Sunday united by their love of small trees.

Bonsai groups from as far away as the north of England travelled down to Swindon for what has become known as the top annual show in the UK.

The former chairman of the Swindon and District Bonsai Society, Terry Adams, said: “This is our 40th anniversary year as a society.

“It’s the best show without a doubt, we’re lucky to have this venue because the cost of hiring venues means a lot of the other big shows have dropped off.”

Terry was displaying a Siberian Elm tree which he has been growing for the past 25 years, having started it off as just seeds.

The current chairman of the club, Paul Bowerbank, said while it was a proud day for the organisers they would enjoy a rest when the event was over.

“This is the 15th anniversary of this show and this year we’ve had a group travel all the way from Middlesbrough to take part,” he said.

“We try and use the show to promote bonsai, we have quite a good diversity in trees - everything from trees that would go to Chelsea each year right down to the club trees.”

The Swindon society is open to members of all ages with an existing or developing passion for small trees - the membership is currently about 30 strong.

One long time member is honourary president Reg Bolton. He puts together a bonsai display at the Chelsea Flower Show each year and the Swindon event is a chance for him to spot impressive trees that might be able to take pride of place in the coming year.

“People think it’s difficult, it’s not,” he said. “If you can look after pot plants you can look after a tree.”

A best in show prize is awarded as part of the day’s events but for many it is the taking part that is most important. Allan Tolley, who travelled up from Bournemouth, said: “For us, seeing people enjoying the trees, that’s enough reward.”