West Wales Koi Keepers Closed Show

The only Official BKKS Show in Wales, this year saw the West Wales Koi Keepers 18th Annual Show on June 25 and 26 2011. This was our second indoor show and it was held in the same venue as 2010, Cams Gear Social Club, Resolven. Like last year it proved to be a great success.

This year, as well as the koi show, there were a number of craft stalls, including a demonstration of the ancient crafts of spinning and weaving presented by members of the Tawe Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild from Pontardawe.
As in previous years the show provided an opportunity for people from the surrounding area to see some outstanding koi and experience first hand what makes them the jewels of the fish world. Opportunity was also given for any koi hobbyists to link with a koi club whose aim is to promote the hobby of koi keeping, for those with differing levels of experience and expertise.
Although much smaller than in previous years when the show was held at Margam Park, the enthusiasm and impact was equally as good. We can report that throughout the weekend we gained three new members and two others who showed an interest.
This year the show was earlier than in previous years. Benching took place on the Saturday morning followed by the judging. The Grand Champion, this year sponsored by Koi Carp magazine, again went to Neville Davies and his grandson Daniel, with an outstanding Kohaku. Sid Silverthorne took the Mature Champion award with his Kohaku and Matthew Brown won Adult Champion with a Size 5 Showa.
However despite this and the other overall results, undoubtedly the accolades and praise this year should go to one of the newest members who joined at last year’s show and was showing for the first time this year. Les Walters is also new to koi keeping. Les took Baby Champion with a size 2 Sanke. This fish also took Best in Size 2 and he had what the judges thought to be the ‘fish with the most potential’, a Size 3 Utsuri Mono (a stunning Hi Utsuri). Finally Les also took Best Newcomer – an incredible achievement. So congratulations to Les, who hopefully will go onto win yet more accolades next year and for some time to come.
All in all it was a great weekend that was enjoyed by everyone who attended. Visitors to the show came from as far away as Stockport and Hereford, and there were members of the Celtic Koi Club in Cardiff in addition to hobbyists from South West Wales and the immediate locality. We look forward to extending the show next year.
We would like to thank the two BKKS Judges, Heather Payne and Iain Kirkbright, as well as this year’s BKKS HSC Officer, Lin Murray. The prizes were presented by Russell Fletcher, the BKKS General Secretary, ably assisted by Cliff Beckett, Show Chairman.
On behalf of the Show Committee and the West Wales Koi Keepers members we would like to especially thank the staff of the Cams Gear Social Club, Resolven, who once again did us proud and went that extra mile to make us welcome. We would also like to thank Koi Carp magazine who this year sponsored the Grand Champion with a ‘Lead Crystal Tankard’ engraved with the club crest – an award the winner can keep for life.
Other sponsorship in various forms came from Kusuri, Addis Ltd, Allclear Purifiers, Waterlife Research Ltd, Evolution Aqua, Select Nishikoi International, Nishikoi Food and Health, and local sponsors MattBrown Home & Garden Maintenance, Tudor Davies and Sons, South Wales Chauffeur and Zoars Pet and Garden Centre.
Cliff Beckett (Show Chairperson)


The winners
Grand Champion: Neville Davies and Dan (Kohaku Size 6)
Mature Champion: Sid Silverthorne (Kohaku Size 5)
Adult Champion: Mathew Brown (Showa Size 5)
Baby Champion: Les Walters (Sanke Size 2)

Best in Size
Best in Size 1: Cliff Beckett (Kohaku)
Best in Size 2: Les Walters (Sanke)
Best in Size 3: Sid Silverthorne (Hikarimuji)
Best in Size 4: Cliff Beckett (Sanke)
Best in Size 5: Matthew Brown (Showa)
Best in Size 6: Gary Miller – (Sanke)

Other Awards
Best 'B' Type Gin Rin: Cliff Beckett (Kawarimono Size 4)
Best Doitsu: Sid Silverthorne (Kawarimono Size 5)
Best Jumbo: Gary Miller (Kawarimono Size 6)
Fish with Most Potential: Les Walters (Utsuri Mono Size 3)
Celebrity’s/Public’s Choice: Gary Miller (Kawarimono Size 6)
Members Vote: Cliff Beckett (Kawarimono Size 4)
Best Vat: Sid Silverthorne
Best Beginner: Les Walters

Varieties
Kohaku
Size 1 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 3 (1st): Gary Miller
Size 5 (1st): Sid Silverthorne

Sanke
Size 2 (1st): Les Walters
Size 4 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 6 (1st): Gary Miller

Showa
Size 5 (1st): Matthew Brown

Utsuri Mono
Size 3 (1st): Les Walters
Size 4 (1st): Matthew Brown
Size 5 (1st): Cliff Beckett

Bekko:
Size 2 (1st): Les Walters

KinGinRin
Size 4 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 6 (1st): Neville Davies and Dan

Asagi/Shusui
Size 3 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 4 (1st): Gary Miller

Hikarimoyo
Size 3 (1st): Cliff Beckett

Hikarimuji
Size 2 (1st): Les Walters
Size 3 (1st): Sid Silverthorne
Size 4 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 5 (1st): Neville Davies and Dan

Kawarimono
Size 4 (1st): Cliff Beckett
Size 5 (1st): Sid Silverthorne
Size 6 (1st): Gary Miller