Koi 2000 Show Report

This year's show was more of an exercise in water quality than anything else. This was because, whilst the National has suffered from lack of support, it still stands at the top of the pile when it comes to exhibited koi and people showing their koi demand nothing less than the very best in water quality - and that is what they got. Every gallon of water was stringently tested before going into the vats.

The water team did a magnificent job throughout the weekend. Many thanks to Charles Harris of Purity on Tap and the Yorkshire Section for the loan of the water purifiers - it made life a lot easier. I must also thank Adrian Barnes of Crownpark Koi for the loan of his collapsible water holding vat. Holding 26,000 gallons of water in one place made life a lot easier - especially after we had erected it!!

This year we had a new sponsor, Mr. Ogata of Fukuota Prefecture, Japan. Coupled with his UK agent, Clearwater Koi of York, they gave the BKKS its best ever National Show sponsorship - our grateful thanks go out to them.

The only major problem we encountered was that the East of England Show was held the week before and the clear up task was a struggle for them. There was little or no time to prepare the main building before we moved in. The East of England may not be the best koi show venue in the country, but in my opinion it has the best water supply and tap water you are likely to find anywhere.

Show week was very difficult - how on earth six people are expected to put on a show of this size in five days is unbelievable - but we did it. At 8 o'clock on Thursday evening we were still erecting vats - they were a real struggle. All my previous pleas for extra help to set up fell on deaf ears but thankfully we had lots of help over the weekend and on Monday - for the breakdown.

Peter Waddington of Infiltration donated a wonderful Sanke as a raffle prize - a stunning koi that would grace any pond. The raffle was successful in raising much needed funds.

Once again the koi exhibited were all of superb quality and it was fitting that Bill Oakley's Sanke "Doris" should become Supreme Champion at Koi 2000. The dinner dance this year was very different from the usual format of band and disco. This year we were entertained by illusionist act Justine & Lavinia from Aquarius Koi. What a great show they put on for us.