CROUCH VALLEY KOI SECTION CLOSED SHOW
12th - 14th June 2009
Sponsored by
SELECT NISHIKIGOI INTERNATIONAL LTD
| THE KOI | THE WINNERS | THE SHOW |
Once the 2008 show finished and was packed away for another season, preparation for this year began. At the next committee meeting the show's success was discussed and plans were outlined for improvements for 2009. During the summer months Alan Hurley was re-elected Show Chairman and Andy Patten, Deputy Show Chairman. Alan, keen to raise the profile of the Closed Show in the wider koi community, set about looking for a sponsor. In the autumn he was very pleased to announce that negotiations with Deron Simons of Select Nishikigoi Ltd had been successful. We had a sponsor.
By early January the dates for the show, which is held at the South Essex Garden Show at Barleylands run by Aztec Events, were set for 12th, 13th & 14th June 2009. Now the organisation would move up a gear. Alan, Ray and Chris visited Deron on several occasions to establish the level of sponsorship. Deron promised to provide new trophies for the event and koi food prizes to go with them. The club additionally provided gift vouchers for the winners to spend at 'Select'. Alan booked the judges and health liaison officers (HLOs) through the BKKS and gathered together his merry band of helpers from the club, who would help to make the weekend run smoothly.
There was a great deal of interest from club members to 'show' their koi this year and at committee the decision to remain with 11 vats was made, although at one point we had enough exhibitors for 15 vats. As the show date drew closer more detailed plans were made outlining exact areas of responsiblity for the helpers' 'teams'. In May tickets went on sale through the club at our 'special club' price for entry to the garden show. Brenda kept reminding members she would gratefully receive our contributions for the raffle and tombola stall and Sheila was busy making cards to sell over the weekend. Kerry and Linda were planning the judges' lunch and the BBQ and breakfasts for the workers.
When the week of the show arrived all the preparation paid off and the wheels of the well oiled Crouch Valley team machine rolled into action. On Wednesday the grass on our pitch was mowed and cleared ready for the marquees and vats. Alan mapped out the layout for the site. On Thursday the crew arrived early at Barleylands to start erecting the marquees, laying out the vats and furniture, organising the electrics, air and water supplies and hanging the flags and bunting. By mid-afternoon the preparations were almost complete and the finishing touches to the stand were being made.
