[Bob Hart]

JR - sorry I'm no dealer and wouldnt have the money to sponser a show. I'm just an ordinary hobbyist who's been around a long time. Been a club member, found it clicky, am very busy and the club meeting held at weekends didnt fit in with my 'busyness'. Perhaps I should have tried harder to become a part of it.

I have wondered about joining a club again, but still feel that they cater for the newcomers too much. I want to learn more than that, I can do that here plus speaking to a few learned dealers I know reasonably well.

I still cant afford the Koi I'd like to buy, even as Tosai, but can continue to learn and dream.

I will visit 3 club shows this year, they get my support through this, but I dont think the shows in the UK are getting better. Some of the top end Koi at the BKKS national are, but not too much elsewhere. Gary Abrams sums the UK situation up well in the latest NI article, perhaps the US it is different. There are those people like Bern who are extremely enthusiastic and live the show dream, but the attendances are generally dropping. I'd love to see the hobby move on, but dealers seem to be dropping out all the time in the UK.

Mustnt get too depressed though, there are still many fine dealers and people trying to move the hobby on.

Best wishes JR, sorry I cant agree with you this time.