AN EXPERT bonsai grower from Stratton has wowed judges at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, coming away with yet another gold medal.

Reg Bolton, 84, is a founder member of the Swindon and District Bonsai Society, and he impressed crowds with his fabulous collection of bonsai trees at the world’s most famous flower show earlier this week.

There were 23 miniature trees on display in total, 18 of which came from bonsai growers in Swindon.

A proud Reg said: “It’s an overwhelming pleasure to receive a gold medal. As a society we are always very appreciative as to what we might or might not come away with, and I’m very pleased.

“To get a medal that you have worked quite hard towards is brilliant, but it’s not just for me, it’s for all the other members as well.

“Chelsea is the best flower show in the world and for us to get the gold is the highest accolade you can receive.”

Bonsai boffin Reg was very excited about getting the chance to show off the collection in front of expert judges and members of the public.

He said: “Everyone seemed very interested in what we were doing and there was a good variety of trees to promote the bonsai. We don’t sell anything, we are merely promoting a hobby.”

Paul Bowerbank, chairman of the Swindon and District Bonsai Society, was thrilled when he heard the 84-year-old Reg had been awarded another gold medal.

He said: “This must make it 6 or 7 Gold medals on the trot for Reg.

“It has all been done by him really, he does all the hard work of putting up the stands – and a lot of the trees are his too.

“For us it’s all about exhibiting British trees that are grown in this country rather than being imported from Japan or other countries.

“We spent the weekend getting the stand ready and we will be there for the rest of the week.”

There was a large variety of bonsais on display. Some were three or four feet tall, others merely six inches.

“We usually see a sense of amazement from people,” said Paul.

“You can see that people really appreciate the trees.

“I am chuffed for Reg because he is well into his 80s yet he throws himself into it like a 20-year-old. It’s a huge amount of work before the show and he fully deserves the recognition.”

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs until Saturday, May 27 and each years is attended by gardening enthusiasts the world over.