NWKS Visit To Birmingham & West Mids
When the North Wales Koi Society were told they'd be visiting six “Virgin Ponds” of the Birmingham and West Midlands Koi Society they were expecting a good day out, and they weren't left disappointed.
The two Rogers met us just off the M6, and explained that the 6 ponds they had lined up for us had never been used for pond visits before, they didn’t exactly say “please be gentle with them……..” but almost lol
They needn’t have been worried. The pond six Virgin owners did the club proud!
The first pond of the day was the 3,800 gallon, Butyl linered pond of Roger & Julie Williams.
A lovely Main pond with sophisticated filter system, along with a “Hospital pond”. All housed within a superbly constructed decking area with bridge, and elegant timber frame supporting mesh to keep Herons away from around 60 Koi!
The whole garden was delightful with plants, shrubs and ornaments, infact, the perfect setting to enjoy the hearty breakfast B&WMKS had laid on for us and set us up for a day of excellent Koi and beautiful ponds.
Thank you Roger and Julie. If the rest of the ‘Pond visit Virgins’ are as good as this one, we’re in for a treat!
The second pond was the Irregular shaped linered pond of Andy & Julie Griffith.
Once again, a lovely garden with a ground level pond complete with little wooden bridge. The filter was housed in a………well in a house! A small wooden house to be precise, complete with water wheel. The pond was stocked with about 20 Koi and orfe, my favourite being a lovely Soragoi.
Pond 3 was the 4,500 gallon, Fibre glassed formal pond belonging to Leanne and Sue Betney.
This attractive raised, square shaped pond containing about 30 Koi who cruised around their lovely ‘home’ is situated in an immaculate garden. Many of the koi were stunning, and Leanne and Sue are to be to be congratulated on their obvious skill and devotions to Koi keeping. The filtration system was very neat with a BD feeding a Vortex then Nexus 300.
The forth pond of the days saw us visiting the formal raised and Fibre glassed pond of Steve & Lynne Hemmings.
Several things about this pond and garden stick in my mind.
- Crystal clear water
- Huge viewing window
- Stunning Shusui and Beni Kumunryu
- Fantastic Lilies in the Vegetable filter
- Running water feature the entire length of the garden
- Steve’s Cakes !
I’m beginning to think that some of these Virgins are more experienced than than they let on!
The L shaped fibreglassed pond to be visited next was the pond belonging to Martin Burt, we had a few problems finding somewhere to park here, but the pond was well worth the wait. Martin had made a fantastic job of his pond, pergola and decking and the Koi looked very happy, and even swam up into Martin’s floating viewing orb (Koi Dome) - Fantastic fun!
The last virgins of the day were to be and their raised kidney shaped, fibre glassed 13,800 gallon pond.
OK, if this pond is a Virgin…………………I’m going celibate!
Stunning, Stunning, Stunning.
Filter house made from an old WW II air raid shelter. Water fall, 2 Nexus 300, Bonsai, landscaped garden……………………..breath taking all round!
A huge thank you to the entire B&WMKS team for organising a memorable day for us “Taffs”. I had to depart before the Buffet evening meal, but I believe it followed the trend of the rest of the day. Great !
Martin Rocliffe - North West Koi Society
