{"id":1939,"date":"2025-09-12T11:53:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T10:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/?page_id=1939"},"modified":"2025-09-12T11:54:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T10:54:34","slug":"2025-open-show-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.crouchvalleykoi.co.uk\/CVKS\/?page_id=1939","title":{"rendered":"2025 Open Show Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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 \u2013 O and to enjoy a full English in the caf\u00e9!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 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 \u2013 the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A great space but post and cross bars just where we did not need them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cthis set up is even better than the old one\u201d. Phew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, half the greenhouse roof was white and not clear, giving the show vats some shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 yes, lots of costs to meet and now money on the gate means we have to work extra hard to make ends meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We soon had our dealer list filling up with past dealers coming back and new ones taking the vacant slots. Our final list was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Akahana Koi; Aqua Aeration Systems; Burtons Aquatics; C&N Koi; Carp Co; Clearwater Koi; Koi Carp UK; Koi Water Barn; Norfine Nets; Nutramare; Yasu Koi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And then came sponsors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koi Water Barn had already said at the end of the last show that they would sponsor the major trophies again and so we had Donna from Donna\u2019s Koi Art set about painting a selection of Sanke for this year\u2019s awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew from Clearwater Koi, agreed to once again sponsor the Mark Gardner and Keith Holmes trophies and provide all our water treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Pedigree Wholesale agreed to provide Saki Hikari prizes for the winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also had sponsorship, donations of auction koi and raffle prizes from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aqua Aeration; Avenue Fisheries; Burtons Aquatics; Coastal Koi; Kusuri; Mujimono Koi; Nutramare; Oi Oi Koi; Queni Koi; Selective Koi Sales; Select Nishikigoi; Shosha Koi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And of course, Akahana Koi who kindly provided the team with our show shirts this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To all of these, we have to say a BIG THANK YOU as it would be impossible to run our FREE TO ENTER the show without them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So onto the show itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting from the Monday onwards, club members arrived in various numbers to help with the build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201d air diffuser rings in every vat \u2013 something many visitors commented on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those familiar with the show scene will recognise the list of jobs undertaken during the week \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As usual, on the Friday, two key things happen \u2013 The exhibitors bring their koi for benching and the dealers arrive to set up (some having made a start earlier in the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come the end of the day, 189 koi were benched (i.e. health checked, measured, catagorised and logged in the system along with a photo) and swimming in covered vats and the dealers were all set to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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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 \u2013 and what great numbers they were. 1870 over two days is not to shabby for our so called little show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As usual, judging took place on the Saturday and took somewhat longer than in previous years \u2013 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 \u2013 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As in previous years we had great sponsorship for our trophies and prizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n