2025 Open Show Review

If you are familiar with our previous articles, you will be aware that following several successful shows at Buckhatch Nursery Garden Centre in Rettendon, Essex, late last year was a very nervous time for Crouch Valley Koi Section as the garden centre was sold and we did not know if we would have permission to continue at the venue.

Thankfully, the new owners Perrywood who own two other very successful garden centres in Essex and Suffolk did agreed to us holding our show but with a number of conditions.

The first of these was a move to a different greenhouse and so back in January, our show team set off to look at what this meant to us – O and to enjoy a full English in the café!

The first challenge was although the new space was probably a similar total square meterage, it was a completely different shape and there were lots of steel pillars and crossbars that all fell in the wrong place. For those unfamiliar with our show set up, we always use the metal market stands (you will have seen them at the National) as we feel this offers the greatest protection to the exhibitor vats and these come in 3m squares – so in short, you have to build with this in mind, along with space behind for the show team and space out front for the visitors. And then of course, where is the water, where can you store it, where can you fit the dealers, where do wet dealers go v dry goods – the list goes on and on.

The tape measures and chalk came out and there was much head scratching and debate as we tried to plot it all out, not helped by the fact the garden centre still had stuff stored in there.

Eventually, it came down to measure what we could, including where all the posts etc. were and head off home to plot it all on paper.

And so it was that apart from a slight tweak on the day the market stand arrived, we landed on a design that accommodated, 25 show vats, an auction vat, a hospital vat and 14 single dealer pitches (some that would become doubles). Whilst having run the show now and, as anticipated, have identified some small changes, on the whole, the layout worked well and feedback has been a resounding “this set up is even better than the old one”. Phew!

Whilst the different greenhouse came with challenges, like how to get the water to it as just one example, it also came with some benefits.

Following a reconfiguration of their space, the new owners had decided they would not be using the greenhouse allocated to us for their day to day business and it would be shut off from their customers. This gave us an undisturbed space this year.

Additionally, albeit with some caveats, we had access via the delivery entrance at the back of the garden centre which would mean us, dealers and exhibitors could get access without going through the garden centre/public space.

And finally, half the greenhouse roof was white and not clear, giving the show vats some shade.

So, we knew we had a set up we thought would fit, the number of vats and what space we had for dealers. Next up was when to have the show? Surely we just pick a date – the usual weekend right! But no, we have always been conscious of how to get the best footfall and offer something else to visitors and doing that by ensuring the show falls on the same weekend as the local RHS garden show – the challenge is knowing what date they will pick. Once known, we were up and running, publicising the show, contacting past dealers and exhibitors and seeking out sponsorship which is so essential given our show is free to enter – yes, lots of costs to meet and now money on the gate means we have to work extra hard to make ends meet.

This year was a very unusual year for exhibitors. We initially filled most of the vats and after some follow up publicity not only filled the last couple but started a wait list. However, then came numerous cancellations which soon exhausted our wait list and had us working our contacts to fill empty vats. Finally, with some club members taking second vats we put on a good show of koi but it is a shame that it had to be this hard. With so few shows now, it is a little disappointing that with all the positive feedback the Crouch gets, plus a unique set of trophies and the support of Hikari, we find ourselves in this position. Yes, there are reasons people have to cancel but this year seemed extreme. Finger crossed the koi community are starting to realise, this is a great show to be part of.

So onto the show itself.

Starting from the Monday onwards, club members arrived in various numbers to help with the build.

First jobs were getting the equipment on site from storage and liaising with the metal framework supplier who build the vat run with us that protects the vats and provides the basis for splash guards and airlines etc. This year, the club had invested in additional new vats so the entire run was all matching 2.8m ones and had Brandon from Aqua Aeration install his 12” air diffuser rings in every vat – something many visitors commented on.

Those familiar with the show scene will recognise the list of jobs undertaken during the week – put up and disinfect all the vats, run water into the venue to fill vats and reservoirs ensuring it is all dechorionated, disinfect all nets and bowls etc. layout the dealer areas, erect splash guards, etc. etc. there is a long list of tasks and activities behind the scene.

Next morning we were on site bright and early and as soon as the garden centre opened visitors started making their way in to the show. Being free to enter, we have never really known what our footfall is so this year, visitors were asked to take a wristband so we could keep track of numbers – and what great numbers they were. 1870 over two days is not to shabby for our so called little show.

Saturday felt particularly busy with all dealers reporting good trade and over the whole weekend all were commenting how successful it had been and several have already asked about returning next year.

As usual, judging took place on the Saturday and took somewhat longer than in previous years – not an issue for the koi but does place added pressure on the admin team getting koi photographed and certificates ready. Final checks were done on the vats before covering and left in the safe hands of the overnight team – yes, an essential at any show is the guys who stay overnight to keep an eye of the vats and are ready to act in the event of any issues e.g. can you imagine the devastation if the power cut out and no one was around!

First thing Sunday morning, before the doors opened, the team posted the results on every vat and of course the banners for the major trophies were also erected. Whilst Sunday may have seemed a little quieter, the footfall over both days was very similar.

The awards:

The majors were as follows:

• Grand Champion – Matthew Stevens with a 79cm Showa
• Superior (and Jumbo)  – Brian Mead with a 98cm Yamabuki
• Best Non Go-Sanke – Gary Shelley with a 77cm Kawarigoi (Golden Corn)
• Mature – Brian Mead with a 80cm Sanke
• Adult – Steve Rollins with a 62cm Sanke
• Young – Andy Patten with a 53cm Kohaku
• Baby – Kim Raven with a 27cm Kohaku
• Best Doitsu – David Edge with a 56cm Shusui
• Keith Holmes Award – Tom Alderton with a 74cm Benigoi
• Mark Garder Award – Gary Shelley with a 65cm Showa

All the pics above are courtesy of Liam Bess and his blog and a video going behind the scenes of our show can be found on his web site https://www.worldofnishikigoi.com/ We thank Liam for the support he gives us and all the shows and encourage you to subscribe to his excellent magazine.

Best in Size went to:

• Size 1 – Paul Minter – Hikari Moyo
• Size 2 – Kim Raven – Kohaku
• Size 3 – Alan Reeves – KinGinRin
• Size 4 – Andy Patten – Kohaku
• Size 5 – Steve Rollins – Sanke
• Size 6 – Steve Rollins – Sanke
• Size 7 – Brian Mead – Sanke

Best in Variety went to:

• Kohaku – Tom Alderton
• Sanke – Brian Mead
• Showa – Gary Shelley
• Tancho – Brian Mead
• KinGinRin – Alan Reeves
• Utsurimono – Karolina Shelley
• Asagi/Shusui – Karolina Shelley
• Koromo – Laurence Harvey
• Bekko – Kim Raven
• Kawarimono – Tom Alderton
• Hikari Moyo – Neil Prodrick
• Hikari Muji – Matthew Stevens
• Hikari Utsuri – No Entries

Well done to all our winners:

Shortly after the presentations, debenching began with the team co-ordinating who left first ensuring those with long journeys (as far as Wales) were able to be on the road before local exhibitors.

Next the crash down began, in some cases working around members vats which still housed the koi of members helping with the work. By the end of Sunday evening all the vats were empty and a large element of the crash down undertaken. However, as always there was still much to do for the guys that went back on Monday to dry all the vats, dismantle everything and return it all to storage. Thanks to a sterling effort, by late afternoon, all that remained was the steel framework ready for the team to take down the next day, leaving the greenhouse empty and tidy (apart from the odd piece of K1 that may have escaped the broom).

And that was it for another year. Our show team have had their debrief and agree that assuming the garden centre say yes to allowing us to stay, there are a few small tweaks that can improve things but all in all, the feedback is telling us we cracked it and put on another very successful show. Fingers crossed for 2026.

For now, all that remains is to again thank, all our exhibitors, dealers, sponsors, Perrywood’s owners and staff, our show team, Rob and Liam and of course the members that help with the build and running for all their support and efforts plus the 1870 visitors who made this such a successful weekend.

Hopefully I have remembered everyone and if not. apologies and thank you also.