A British Bonsai expert will mix business with pleasure on his forthcoming visit to Bermuda in a bid to cultivate local interest.

Local Bonsai enthusiast David Brine told The Royal Gazette that the Martin Bradden, General Secretary of the Federation of British Bonsai Societies will give a workshop about the trees on November 2 and 3 at the Botanical Gardens.

And in anticipation of Mr. Bradden's visit, Mr. Brine said a local workshop would be held on October 19 to give people a preview of what to expect.

"It will be a basic Bonsai workshop covering overall design, care and maintenance,'' Mr. Brine said.

He added that the $60 fee covered all materials, including a small bonsai tree.

"Myself, Novell Wright and Sarah Marquardt, one of the best known and most experienced in Bermuda on Bonsai, will conduct the workshop. It is a strictly hands-on workshop, to learn what its really about. We also want to drum up awareness for Mr. Bradden's workshop.'' Mr. Brine said he met Mr. Bradden while attending a convention in Washington D.C. in July. Mr. Bradden was assisting world-renowned bonsai expert Dan Barton.

"He was planning to take a trip and we talked him into coming to Bermuda on holiday. He'll be combining business and pleasure since he volunteered to do the workshop.'' Mr. Bradden has had features published in the Bonsai Clubs International and the English Bonsai Magazine. And this December a German Bonsai magazine will publish one of his pieces.

In 1994, Mr. Bradden was invited to supply trees for the English National Collection which is a permanent display.

He has also shown his trees at the Chelsea Flower show and in 1996, he was awarded a certificate of excellence for one of his trees. In 1995, he became a Bonsai judge for the Royal Horticulture Society.

Mr. Brine, who has been involved in Bonsai for fourteen years, said he hoped the workshop would attract a wide cross-section of Bermudians.

"We're trying to get people outside of the Botanical Society,'' he said.

The November 2 workshop will be limited to 12 people, at a cost of $70 per person which will include a medium-size tree. But Mr. Brine said as many people could observe as the facility would allow.

"Observers can roam freely,'' he added. "There is a lot they could learn without doing the actual workshop. Our goal is to help spread information and make people more knowledgeable about bonsai.'' Admission for observers is $10 for the general public and $5 for members of the Botanical Society.

On November 3, Mr. Bradden, assisted by Mr. Brine and Novell Wright, will also conduct a demonstration on the advance refinement of trees.

And before both the November 2 and 3 workshops, Mr. Brine said there would be a slide show.

"Its very informative. By just watching the slide, you can learn a lot.'' Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees on a tray or pot. Although it originated in China, it was the Japanese that exposed and popularised it to the world.

According to The Bonsai Book, the Japanese word Bonsai by literal translation simply means tree in a tray, or in contemporary terms, potted plant.

"Bonsai is a work of art that is never finished, never can be brought to completion since it is a living form and the work of shaping it lasts forever.

It demands constant care and attention.'' Mr. Brine said the popularity of the trees has been growing in Bermuda over the last few years.

Bonsai gains popularity "The Agricultural Show has had an increase from 10 to 15 trees, up to about 40 trees,'' he recalled. "The mystic is being broken down as more information becomes available through avenues like the Internet. People realise that there is no mystic and that it combines general horticultural and art.'' Mr. Brine added that the trees had a place in Bermuda due to the Island's limited land space.

"With the limited land space, many people don't have space for trees in their yard. But they could have a bonsai on their porch. In a small area you can create an unlimited expansive creation.'' He added that Bonsai was more than a hobby, it was a two-way process, "the tree influences man and at the same time, man influences the tree''.

Mr. Brines said those interested in learning more about Bonsai should check the internet.

Here are a few of his pick list along with their addresses: Bonsai WWW Resources at http://mordor.relat.com /bonsai / Bonsai Clubs International Home Page at http://www.bonsai-bci.com / American Bonsai Society Home Page at http://www.paonline.com /mfolia/abs1996.htm For more information about the workshops, contact Sarah Vallis at 236-4201, ext. 225.

MINIATURE TREE -- One of visiting British expert Martin Bradden's "works of art'', a Mulberry Bonsai.

LOCAL SPECIES -- This Bonsai is a prominent local tree called Fire-thorn.

Earlier in the year the tree has white flowers. As Christmas approaches, berries come out.