|
|
|
|
| MIDDLESEX & SURREY BORDERS SECTION 21 YEARS ON |
| by Terry Hill (MSB Chairman) |
|
 |
Terry Hill celebrates a milestone for his BKKS section, and looks back fondly over the years Photographs - Chris Pinchen |
|
| What a difference 21 years makes, from humble beginnings in 1983 to the innovative force the MSB has become in 2004. Unfortunately, many of our original members are no longer with us but I am sure they would be looking down from the great koi pond in the sky, amazed at what the MSB and the hobby has achieved in that time. They are still in our thoughts and won't be forgotten! The Section was born after 56 letters were sent out by Jeff Warner to people living within a 20 mile radius of Walton-on-Thames on the 29th September, 1983. He booked the back room of a pub, The Phoenix', in Staines and 24 people turned up. | |
| Four possible section names were put up for consideration:
The latter was chosen but with the names reversed and so on 20th January, 1984 the MSB Section was officially born. The section grew quickly and by the 6th April, 1984 membership stood at 44. So keen was the membership that meetings would go on past 11pm and the pub landlord tried to put the rent up, so a new venue was sought - 'The Dukes Head'. This venue lasted for one night as the bar noise was excessive and the following month saw us at 'The Crown'. December 1984 saw our first AGM but 'The Crown' was double booked and we had to transfer to 'The Barley Mow' which was too small and half the members over-spilled onto the landing and adjacent room!. |
 |
| Membership now stood at 68. Club funds had soared to £210 and subs were agreed for the forthcoming year at £5 - Jeff Warner was returned as Chairman. I only wish I had been a member in those days. Four pubs in one year - Great! …….and with koi thrown in as well. Anyway, the years rolled on and in December 1985 the now infamous Gary Pritchard was voted in as MSB Chairman, he would subsequently take us into the golden years of the MSB History. | |
 |
The 90's saw the beginning of the big MSB Open Shows. These shows were amongst some of the best and became premier shows within the BKKS Calendar. 1994 saw the MSB take on a new look for the now familiar MSB logo of entwined koi and the bi-monthly magazine appeared with George Rooney as editor (how we would like George back now with his writing, editorial and general koi knowledge skills). The MSB has always tried to be at the forefront of koi keeping with health issues, water quality, shows and inter-club activities. |
| In 1994 Gary Pritchard stood down as our chairman (and went on to bigger things and we all know where!) but his roots and loyalties have always been with us and I know he has a great affection for the section who made him an honorary member in 1992 joining Peter Saul (1989) and Alan Harrington who followed in 1994. A quote from the Chairmans News from December 1994. "Well, I shall close this last Chairmans News by saying you are a fabulous section with wonderful members and I look forward to taking my place amongst the 'grass roots' at the January meeting. Happy koi keeping…. Gary". I can't think of a better person in koi keeping in this country to have summed up the MSB any better. |  |
 |
Anyway to continue… Gary was followed by Kevin Kenny and then by Peter Saul as Chairman. Our Section has been very luck over the years in having all the expertise within the hobby 'in-house'. No more so than our very own 'David Bailey' - or Steve Roberts as we know him. Steve is Mr Kodak himself, immediately recognisable at the shows. His photography is seen in many koi magazines and is now commissioned to 'get the pictures'. 1996 saw the beginning of the big Kempton Park Racecourse Open Shows run by myself. With a show budget of over 12,000 this was a big risk for the Section, giving me many a sleepless night wondering whether we would get our money back. Fortunately, with over 2,000 visitors we made a small profit and the standard was set. |
| 1997 & 1998 also saw us at Kempton Park but with ever spiralling show costs it was felt that the big shows were in decline and for the good of the dealers as well as the Section our open show was cancelled in favour of a smaller more intimate closed show. We were very lucky to be invited to The Rosery, the home of Rosie & Barrie Alger Street, also members of the MSB. This is a wonderful venue and we have been blessed with superb weather and are always made very welcome. The emphasis is on a good social day out for the section members and their families to get together, show fish (which is of a very high standard), talk fish and of course enjoy a beer or two! - Seems beer has always played a part within our Section. Many of our members are very active on the show scene with many major trophies being won throughout the year at the various shows. Who can forget Denis Brown's 'Beauty' - a wonderful kohaku - back in the 90's. Or our present successes with Mario Cavozzi and Frank Chalke…. And even myself taking Baby Champion at the Five Section Show at Bracklesham Bay in 2003. |   |
 |
This brings us up to present day with a new chapter in the Section's history. The brainchild of Joe Nethersall of the Federation of British Aquarists, and with a bit of help from myself, the Laguna Five Section Koi Show was born. Five Sections getting together for the first time to put on an extravaganza to celebrate the wonderful hobby of keeping koi. MSB, South East, South Hants, Worthing and The Southern Koi Group all came together to put on one of the best shows seen in 2003, which will happen again this year on October 15th - 17th October. |
| So to sum up as Chairman of the Section for the last 2 years I would like to thank all who have gone before me to make the Middlesex & Surrey Border Section the force it is today. We have had some great members and some great characters whose legacy has left its foundations for the new breed of koi keeper, the young, the innovative (with IT at the forefront) that will ensure the MSB is ready for the challenges of the 21st Century. |  |
| So if you would like to join us, come along and see for yourself. We are a friendly bunch, like a giggle and will make you most welcome. If you don't believe me just ask Sue Ravenhill, who joined the Section in August 2002, became Membership Secretary in December 2002 and was elected Secretary & Membership Secretary in December 2003 - did she realise what she was letting herself in for when joining?........ probably not! | |
| Terry Hill - MSB Chairman | |
| Oh, and by the way, we don't meet in a pub anymore, it's a club (but still serves beer!) | |
| |
|
MSB meet on the 1st Thursday of every month at: The Rhodrons Club Rhodrons Avenue Chessington Surrey KT9 1BA We start at about 8.00pm
Contacts: |
|