As 2025 is coming to a close it’s time to reflect on our activities for this year. This November will mark our 40th anniversary as the BKKS JSC, however, it may also be our last year as a BKKS sub-committee. 2026 will present a number of opportunities and might be challenging, but for now let’s look back at 2025. Our year didn’t start until March (9th) when we held our annual trainee seminar which saw us induct two new trainees;…
At the 2025 All England Koi Show our judging and training methods came under scrutiny from Yuko Shirako the former General Secretary of ZNA Japan who was attached to the team headed by Tony Sheffield through which she observed the judging processes from start to finish i.e. from GC selection through Round 1 through to Rounds 2 and 3. Yuko’s CV is quite extensive. In her own words “Although I am not a certified koi judge, I have spent twenty-seven…
At 4.15am on the 7th September, approximatly 12 hours after judging the 37th Mid Staffs Koi Show, trainee judge Laurence Harvey was rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. 24hrs later he’s sitting up in bed getting a seeing to by a nurse, which he appears to be enjoying. On a serious note. Many of the hobby’s recogniseable characters are supported by their significant others. In Pondy’s case it’s Sheila Hart who on this occassion got him the appropriate help…
The BKKS’ JSC’s reach goes way beyond our sceptered isle. To the home and garden of Judge Stefan Malm who along with wife Mona held an education day on the 23rd August. 22 people attended and the subject matter ranged from handling, netting, lifting and measuring koi. The next section covered the topic of sumi, including Showa vs Sanke. Finally there were talks about the re-launch of Koigalen, a hands-on koi community that once held shows in Sweden.
ZNA Headquarters chose to hold an official judges seminar at the 2025 Holland Koi Show. This seminar is an important milestone for the progression of certain ranks of ZNA judge, as well as a refresher for those that have achieved full certification (CJ). By special arrangement members of the JSC including trainees were invited to participate. Two of our members (Woolger & Woollands) hold dual BKKS/ZNA judge status, while another (Hazely) is a ZNA trainee. The seminar was given by…
This year’s BKKS Friendship Trophy for the Holland Koi Show was bestowed upon a size 5 Shusui exhibited by Bert-Jan & Jacqueline van ‘t Hul. A classic Shusui; kawa-goi scalation, uniform narabi and a symetrical beni pattern. Selected by Carol McCall and Allan Tait and presented by Allan in front of the Japanese ambassador to the Netherlands amongst several other distinguished guests.
For the past ten years the International Betta Community have been holding a show of their own within the Holland Koi Show. Their community promotes the breeding and keeping of Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens etc) and this show attracts exhibits throughout Europe, on average 300 exhibits, 30 exhibitors and 10 different countries. Like our koi shows, the Betta Show benches their exhibits into several different show classes based on different types of fin shape. Each has a male and…
Whilst doing a bit of research that required trawling through old BKKS magazines I found this. An NCM with no less than five people that were to figure in the JSC at some time or another. Gary Pritchard prior to his long career as the JSC’s Chairman. Former members Ian Birkinshaw and Keith Edwards and members to be Carol McCall and Tony Sheffield. Then as now, the JSC’s membership maintains close relationships with the Society’s sections. Bernie Woollands.
Val Frost was a founder member of both the BKKS and the JSC who passed away in June. We didn’t hear about that until much later. Our eulogy highlighting her importance to the hobby in the early days and her contributions until the very end can be found via our Library page in the top menu bar.
Not normally possible at larger shows, but due to perfect admin and plenty of time, the Scottish Closed Show provided some of their members the chance to shadow the judge during his deliberations. Three members including two that are possibly considering becoming trainees accompanied Stefan Malm during his rounds. Stefan, well versed in explaining European show formats to Japanese had no problems dealing with the Scots. His patience and explanations were well received.