The countdown to the BKKS National Show at Newark on 28th and 29th June 2008 has begun.

Led by Show Chairman, Paul ‘Oz’ Hedley, the Show committee is formulating plans to make this an outstanding show, with something for everyone.

Once again the finest collection of koi to be seen outside Japan will be brought along to the Newark Showground for all to admire.

The show will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm on both days with entry costing £6.00 For BKKS members and £7.50 for non-members. A ticket for both days is also available at a cost of £11.00 for BKKS members or £12.00 for non-members. Entrance for children under 14 years of age is free.

It is intended to have up to 80 exhibition vats for the show and vat application forms have been sent out to previous exhibitors. Vats will cost £35 for BKKS members and £70 for non-members. They are always oversubscribed so please get your applications in early. If you have not received a form and wish to exhibit your koi at the show, please contact the Sue Ravenhill on 01344 861525 or by e-mail to exhibitors@bkks.org.uk

This year sees the introduction of Size 8 at the National Show for koi over 85cm in length. This has been introduced to recognise the number of large koi that are going home unrewarded, despite being of a standard that would have gained a major award just a few years ago.

As was introduced last year, we will again see the major champions receiving that award only, with the runner up being promoted to Best in Size, ensuring the awards are more evenly distributed amongst the many high standard koi being exhibited.

Visitors to the show on Saturday 28th June 2008 will have the opportunity to test their koi appreciation skills by attempting to select the Grand Champion from 6 koi nominated by the Judging and Standards Committee. Photographs of the six contenders will be exhibited at the BKKS stand at the entrance to the show along with the free entry forms, with a chance to win a prize for those that correctly identify the Grand Champion.

The show will again be attended by many of the very best dealers in the country, selling a wide selection of koi and dry goods as well as other members of the koi industry demonstrating products. If any dealer is interested in booking a stand at the show they should contact Roger and Heather Payne on 02392 363880 or by e-mail to showdealers@bkks.org.uk

There will also be craft stands offering a wide selection of wares for the home and garden. Anyone interested in a craft stand should contact Ron Webster on 07762 192868 or by e-mail to showcraft@bkks.org.uk

A review of the catering has taken place based upon comments from previous visitors and there will be wide range of hot and cold food and drink available.

There will be a variety of children’s entertainment on site, and details of other activities in the local area will be published next month, so make it a day out for all the family.

The lecture theatre will feature well known guest speakers covering subjects such as koi appreciation, welfare, nutrition and water quality. A full programme of speakers and timings will be published nearer the date. Personnel interested in making a presentation in the lecture theatre should contact Christine Woolger by e-mail to show_lecture_theatre@bkks.org.uk

The Dinner and Dance this year will take place at the Lincoln Assembly Rooms and is a great chance to socialise with koi keepers and members of the koi industry from all over the country and beyond. It promises to be great night out and one you should not miss. Tickets are £35 each. There will be a Grand Raffle at this event with superb prizes donated by generous members of the koi industry. Each Dinner and Dance ticket will include an £5 ticket for the raffle and further raffle tickets are available on the night.

If you want to make a weekend of it then take a look at the weekend package with hotel accommodation in the local area plus tickets and transport for the Dinner and Dance. The package costs £100 for a single room or £150 for a double room. There is also an option of camping or caravanning on the site. For further details of the Dinner and Dance, weekend package or camping or caravanning please contact Mark and Sue Chetter on 01902 897149 or 07949 610274 or by e-mail to accommodation@bkks.org.uk

Volunteers to assist with the setting up and running the show are always welcome, so if you have some time available in the week prior to the show, on the weekend itself or on the Monday following the show and would like to help out please contact the Paul Hedley, Show Chairman on 01670 797366 or by e-mail to showchairman@bkks.org.uk or Martin Barnett, the Show Vice Chairman on 07880 733014 or by e-mail to showvicechair@bkks.org.uk

Further details of the show will be published next month.

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