{"id":1756,"date":"2024-08-18T18:52:39","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T17:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/?page_id=1756"},"modified":"2024-08-18T18:56:22","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T17:56:22","slug":"cvks-2024-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/?page_id=1756","title":{"rendered":"CVKS 2024 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2024 Crouch Valley Open Show took place over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th August. What follows is a summary of the show and the activities leading up to and after this ever improving and growing event.
Tuesday 30th July
A day earlier than in previous years, the guys who supply the framework that forms our vat run arrived and with a revised layout in hand (accommodating two more vats than previous shows), our show chairman Alan directed the construction. Whilst some shows opt not to use this, the Crouch team have always felt it a necessary expense as it keeps the public back from the vats especially when wrapped after benching.
Prior to their arrival, the garden centre removed the last of the plants in the greenhouse and Alan set about jet washing the floor \u2013 no mean task given the size of the space.
The small team on site also managed to erect a couple of the water reservoirs before the day was done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Start of Day One and the greenhouse is being emptied ready for jet washing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ends of Day One and the Steel Framework is up and the first of the reservoirs in place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 31st July
This is a big build day and lots of equipment from storage is brought to site. This included twenty new 2.8m vats the club purchased with the BKKS \u2013 who says they do nothing!! Many thanks go to the BKKS Chairman Rob Whittell for facilitating these for us.
We had a good number of members on site and credit especially to several elderly gents who grafted through a very hot day in the greenhouse getting the vats erected and all water reservoirs were filled.
By the end of the day, the pipework for the air lines was also in place \u2013 a job normally tackled on Thursday so all agreed we were in good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The vats going up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A well earned break<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vats and air in place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 1st August
Another good turnout of Crouch members again and the list of jobs was numerous:
\u2022 All the vats were filled and the reservoirs replenished
\u2022 Airlines and stones added
\u2022 Vat screens up \u2013 another good reason for using the steelwork as our 3m x 3m screens are attached giving strong bio protection between vats
\u2022 Shading was added to the framework as well and this year we used a darker\/thicker material casting some shade on the vats and this certainly helped with the hot temperatures we experience and a crude test found the vats under shade to be 2 degrees cooler than one not under it.
\u2022 Vat boards went up ready for details of the koi to be added
\u2022 The admin station was set up and equipment tested
\u2022 Dave Edge, our usual professor of all things water popped by as he was going away to ensure we were clear on everything that needed doing and did the first round of tests on all water. Big thanks to Dave as he was also on standby for calls from us if we needed his advice (and indeed, we took advantage of this with a troublesome vat)
\u2022 Dealers pitches were marked out
\u2022 The trophy stand was set up
\u2022 New for this year, we set up a TV next to our trophy stand and ran some content for visitors to watch during the show
\u2022 Each vat had its vat cover and clips allocated and placed in a bag next to the vat and by the splash guard to ensure separation from others
The list goes on but having started at 7.30 am, the last of the team left at 9.00 pm feeling tired but confident everything was ready for benching and dealers arriving the next day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vat Screens, Shading and Boards in place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Bunting, nobori and koi flags going up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Trophies & Food Prizes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Friday 2nd August
As usual, Friday means more hard work and a lot of activity.
Throughout the day, exhibitors arrived with their koi for benching and dealers arrived to set up their wares. The latter meant more work for our water team as with limited space in the greenhouse, we do not have the luxury of each dealer having a reservoir and so the team provide water to them as needed.
Although we had a late cancellation, we had a good selection of dealers (some back for a 3rd year in a row) selling both dry goods and a range of koi.

Rob Whittell had again kindly agreed to run the benching software for us and the team set about the task of benching what was finally 250 koi. As we do not do any pre benching online, that\u2019s 253 koi measured, health checked, categorised and photographed.
Our usual 4 man team set about their task shadowed by a member of another club developing his knowledge as he hopes to become a judge. Our team works as follows:
\u2022 A headcount of koi is taken first \u2013 an important check to ensure we bench them all and that an exhibitor has not exceeded their numbers and indeed, this year one exhibited had brought too many koi and had to remove one.
\u2022 The net man guides the koi to the measuring bowl
\u2022 The bowl man measures the koi, calls out classification, variety, show size and measurement and at the same time looks out for any health issues, We have a second set of eyes double checking.
\u2022 Any issues identified are discussed and assessed by the team e.g. net\/transport damage who agree if the koi can stay in the show (with a note to make the judges aware) or removed. A few minor issues were found and noted and one koi withdrawn after a small infection to the mouth was found.
The last exhibitor arrived around 6.30 pm after a long drive from Wales and two diversions due to problems on the M25 and by 8pm, the team were confident benching was complete and decided to leave printing and posting the sheets on the boards the next morning.
As the benching team finished their work, other Crouch members were following round cable tying the screening and sponsor banners to the framework \u2013 as any show team knows, you need a large supply of cable ties and bungies).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Benching Matrix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 3rd August
The big day<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Jobs of the day are:
\u2022 Water testing and water changes \u2013 trying to have them finished before judging commences. Overnight, one vat had fish spawning and a couple of others had certainly been feeling a bit \u201cfruity\u201d so were a priority for the team (and need extra monitoring throughout the weekend).
\u2022 Post all the entries on the vat boards so exhibitors can understand what fish are in the vats and, in our case, who owns the fish (this is posted on the public side of the vat to ensure the judges are unaware).
\u2022 A glitch was spotted with a picture and one koi was quickly remeasured and photographed again.
\u2022 Time for judging and this year, we had 3 senior judges with us. After a briefing with the admin team to ensure the awards structure for the show was understood, they set about their business assisted by a couple of our show team taking air out the vats and lifting koi if needed and ensuring bio security was maintained.
\u2022 This process was only interrupted by the lunch break and a fabulous cream tea \u2013 I\u2019m sure this is not the reason judges love to judge our show!
\u2022 By mid afternoon, the results were in and secured by the admin team ready for the following morning.
\u2022 For the last two years, our benching team had a 100% record with no changes by the judges but this year we had a minor slip with one koi going in the incorrect class due to a slip of the finger in the software \u2013 easily done but the team kicked themselves.
\u2022 Along side this activity, water testing is repeated throughout the day, reservoirs replenished and vats refreshed if needed (o that vat 14 where they spawned kept the guys busy)
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the centre ring the show was busy all day, in fact much busier than in previous years suggesting news is getting out that the Crouch put on a good show.
All the dealers finished the day happy, with one heading off to replenish stock.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the public left, the Crouch members remained behind as the garden centre kindly allow us to have a BBQ in the evening.
Whilst this was taking place, final checks were being made on the vats, a few photos taken of winning koi for certificates and then vats covered for the night.
As darkness fell, as with the night before, everything was left in the safe hands of the overnight team to keep an eye on everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So early sales activity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Afternoon Tea with the Judges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A Buyer for World of Nishikigoi Mag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 4th August
Its results day and an early start sees two streams of activity:
\u2022 The water team are busy, uncovering vats, testing and changing water
\u2022 The admin are updating the vats boards with all the results and hanging the banners for the major prizes on the winning vats
It\u2019s not long before the doors open and very quickly another good crowd appears.
Whilst the exhibitors and the public enjoying looking at the koi and the results and more purchases are made, the admin team are busy at work preparing the various certificates for the winners and organising the running order for the awards presentation \u2013 minor awards through the majors and finishing with the Best Non Go-Sanke and then the Grand Champion.
Its soon time for those awards and everyone comes forward to receive them from:
\u2022 Keith, a Crouch elder statesman and Senior BKKS Judge (does not judge our show but part of the benching team) who presents the certificates, the food kindly donated by Pedigree and the trophies for club awards (best vat, best unique and best newcomer)
\u2022 Amir from Koi Water Barn who presents all the major trophies gratefully sponsored by KWB again this year and what great trophies they are \u2013 this year individually painted Showa
\u2022 Darren, representing Matthew from Clearwater Koi (fancy going to Florida instead of the Crouch) who kindly sponsored both the Keith Holmes and Mark Gardner trophies.
Pleasingly, every exhibitor placed in a category and there was no wooden spoon
Trophies presented, raffle drawn and its time for all hands to the pump for debenching. Our team quickly dismantle the protect sheeting as everyone starts bagging their koi as dealers pack up.
Then the work begins. Before we leave on the Sunday there is a list of jobs to complete:
\u2022 All reservoirs and vats are emptied and dismantled
\u2022 Vat shading, vat boards and shading taken down
\u2022 Splash guards removed and the air run dismantled
\u2022 Admin area packed away
\u2022 Hoses all packed away
By the end of the evening, all that remains is the vats hanging to dry on the framework, the trophy stand and TV to dismantle and a huge pile of equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thank you Mike and Lee for our show team’s shirts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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List of Awards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ian collects a treble on behalf of him and Carmen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Best in Class Certificates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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All hands to the pumps for debenching<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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By late Sunday, the vats are empty and drying and crash down is in full swing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Monday 5th August
Yes, Monday as there is more to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A small but hardy group put in another days work, drying and packing away all the vats, and taking everything back to our storage container with the last items going in at 5pm. Its hard work organising and running a koi show but we hope everyone who came along thought our efforts were worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So to end, thank you also to:
\u2022 Firstly to the exhibitors \u2013 a koi show is not a koi show without you bringing along you precious fish
\u2022 Our dealers (see pic) who we hope had an enjoyable (and of course profitable) weekend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2022 Our sponsors \u2013 with it being a free to enter show, your support is not only very much appreciated but essential to us being able to stage the event. Special thanks to:
o Koi Water Barn for sponsoring all the major trophies and Donna for painting them
o Clearwater koi for trophy sponsorship and all the water treatments
o Shosha Koi for our show team shirts (these are not just for show but enable us to ensure only the authorised team are in the centre ring)
o Coastal Koi for again supplying all the new airline and airstones to ensure we are bio secure but also for the raffle prizes
\u2022 Of course we had lots of other sponsors helping us and they are:
o Avenue Fisheries
o Japen Koi Imports
o Kusuri
o Perfect Aquatics
o Select Nishikigoi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2022 And of course BHN \u2013 a big thank you to Belinda and all the team for their assistance and patience (and that great cream tea)
\u2022 And finally, along with our own members who stood up and where counted over the week, let\u2019s not forget, Rob Whittell, Liam Bess and Dave Edge \u2013 Thank you guys for all you do to support the show \u2013 we will let you have next year\u2019s show date ASAP \ud83d\ude0a
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, that\u2019s about it except of course to say if you want to see all the winners, pop over to Liam\u2019s blog at World of Nishikigoi https:\/\/www.worldofnishikigoi.com\/post\/major-awards-crouch-valley-koi-show-2024<\/a> for his great pics of the koi and the presentation (pic credits also to Liam for the presentation and GC pics in this article).
We hope if you came along you enjoyed the show and will be back next year \u2013 spread the word!
And if you want to see some more from the show, check out the Crouch YouTube Channel https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@CrouchValleyKoi<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THANK YOU<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2024 Crouch Valley Open Show took place over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th August. What follows is a summary of the show and the activities leading up to and after this ever improving and growing event.Tuesday 30th … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"kt_blocks_editor_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1756","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1756"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1792,"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1756\/revisions\/1792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}