Crouch Valley Closed Show

The 2011 Crouch Valley Closed Show was held at our regular venue, the South Essex Garden Show, at Barleylands Farm June on 11 and 12. As always an excited team arrived at the showground on the Thursday to set up the show.

This year our pitch had unfortunately been moved, which brought problems for water access and drainage. However Alan Hurley and his team quickly resolved the problems. It wasn’t long before the Crouch Valley members had the marquees up and the vats organised and ready to fill with water. Everything was done on time and I would like to say a big thank you to all the members that gave up their time to help with the set up.
The show was modified this year to include extra vats for exhibitors, which meant the number had increased to 20 vats. When the general public started to arrive on the Saturday morning there were some lovely koi on show. Again, thank you to the members who stayed behind on the Friday evening, and indeed the whole night, to ensure the health and welfare of the koi was taken care of. The koi were very well looked after and the security of the site was upheld.
Holding our koi show within a garden show is a real benefit. Many thousands of people come to the South Essex Garden Show and they are all eager to view our koi. Meeting and chatting to members about the hobby is a great way for the initial interest in koi keeping to take hold. Hopefully, it’s not long before they go on to become hobbyists themselves and, in turn, become club members.
Darren Hepple spoke with great passion about the benefits of joining a koi club. This in itself probably would have attracted new members.
Once again we stayed with the Crouch Valley Closed Show size allocation for the koi. It differs to the BKKS as they have eight sizes of koi whilst we only have four.
The BKKS provided a fantastic team of judges that worked hard to find our champion. As always we would like to thank them for the time and effort they put into making the show a success.
Also on location was representation from the HSC. Once more we would like to thank them for their time and dedication to the welfare of the koi.
Saturday Night was a great social time when we all got together and shared our thoughts on the day. Thanks to Dave Baker, Darren and myself for the BBQ, but also to all the other committee members that made sure all the food and drinks were there, fresh and ready.
Finally, I must say a massive thanks to Alan as Show Chairman and Deputy Andy, and not forgetting all of the members for their massive support.
I’m looking forward to 2012, when I hope the weather is a bit better for us!
Ian Frankin

Show winners
Grand Champion: Kohaku owned by Ryan Peschino
Mature Champion: Kohaku owned by – Peter Barnes
Adult Champion: Kohaku owned by – Paul Timothy
Baby Champion: Kohaku owned by - Peter Barnes
Best Vat: Number 7 owned by Laurence Harvey
Best in size 1: Kohaku owned by Peter Barnes
Best in size 2: Kohaku owned by Paul Timothy
Best in size 3: Kohaku owned by Paul Timothy
Best in size 4: Sanke owned by Peter Barnes