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Our objective is to become better koi keepers for the benefit of the koi and enjoyment of the hobby
Cheshire and Borders Koi Society
This page was last updated on: 9 May, 2008
In visit from East Midlands on 29th April 2007
Visit to Cuttlebrook Koi on 19th June 2005
East Midlands at Martin & Shirleys pond for lunch stop
Out visit to East Midlands on 10th June 2007
Father's Day, Sunday 19th June 2005. The hottest day of the year so far and possibly one of the hottest in the last 100 years! The car thermometer showing 33ºC outside makes it a very long journey when the air conditioning isn't working properly! Just the kind of day the Cheshire & Borders members would choose to visit Cuttlebrook Koi Farm near Thame in Oxfordshire.
We have all come along to see how it's done in England at least, seeing as we haven't yet found the excuse to go over to Japan. I think it is also fair to say there is more than a little (snobbish?) assumption that English-bred koi are a bit of a joke really, but what the hell? Let's see what it's all about.
Mark and Lisa Davis welcome us warmly to their 6-acre site situated at the end of the tiny village of Towersey, where we wander into the first of their two poly-tunnels where fish are held for sale or in preparation for spawning. What we find immediately dispels the myth that English koi are poor quality. OK, it may be some time before we can compete with Japan, but on this evidence, Mark and Lisa have made a fantastic start towards that goal.
They take us on a guided tour of the ponds, where hundreds of thousands of koi fry have been placed in order to start the growing process for the next harvest. I found it particularly amazing how two ponds next to each other could have such different water quality, one being crystal-clear (not necessarily a good thing in this case of course), with the other requiring Mark's attention to prevent it becoming overly green. Many different varieties are being grown on here, although this year has been particularly good for kohaku. Not that you could tell which was which from the swarms of tiny fry congregating in the various corners.
The ponds were all built by Mark himself and are fed by a local stream, for which permanent piping is currently being laid. Mark also gave us a fascinating demonstration of dowsing, through which he and Lisa had identified a source for a well that they now use for their domestic requirements. I have to say this resulted in several of us sceptics having to dramatically alter our views towards this weird science.
Back to the tunnels and, despite the intense heat generated under the polythene, Mark gives us as much time as we want for numerous bowlings of some lovely fish. In particular a beautiful kohaku and sanke with stunning white ground attract the interest of our chairman, Brian, who insists he can't afford to buy before his holiday this year!
After some considerable time, we depart for the long hot journey home (via the local hostelry). Many of us with bags of babies to grow on in our quarantine tanks and see how they develop. One or two of us have also been attracted by the excellent selection of lovely chagoi and I for one succumb to the temptation of a nice little two-year-old gin rin.
This is a day out we would recommend to any club, offering something more than just a dealer visit and a really interesting insight into how the whole process works, from a lovely couple for whom nothing is too much trouble. They really deserve this venture to go from strength to strength and I for one would remind Mark of my offer of free labour to come back and assist with his next harvest.
We get back to Cheshire to find there has been torrential rain for much of the day, so perhaps it was worth suffering the failed air conditioning after all!
Written by Martin Soar and published in Koi Carp Magazine
Created for Cheshire and Borders Koi Society by Steve Kitson in conjunction with
In visit from Central Midlands on 2nd July 2006
Out visit to Central Midlands on 23rd July 2006
Out visit to North Wales on 3rd September 2006
In visit from North Wales on 3rd September 2006
(Photos courtesy of North Wales)
Martin (Mushio) & Ronnie Barnett Pond
Out visit to West Lancs on 8th July 2007
Margaret & Jim Pond (A hearty breakfast)
Dennis & Glennis Pond (Lunch stop)
D. J. Koi (A smashing breakfast)
Coldwater Collection (Brilliant BBQ)
BBQ at Chris & Pauls 5th August 2006
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Martin & Shirley compare vegetables
BBQ at Brian & Jennies 5th August 2007
In visit from West Lancs on 2nd September 2007
Steve & Annette Pond (Breakfast stop)
Brian & Jennie Pond (Lunch stop)
Photos marked # are courtesy of Dave Foster (West Lancs)
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