Above - Members of Bangor Aquarist and Breeders Society at the Corydoras Convention in June 2017 Going back only a few decades, there were multiple fish clubs in Northern Ireland, the hobby was buzzing, with frequent competitions, table shows and meet-ups. I hear about it regularly from fellow club members that speak fondly about people they learned from in the hobby, characters that stood out from the crowd doing something they were enthusiastic about. The story is quite different now, and to my knowledge, there are only a few surviving clubs left in Northern Ireland. They include a Koi club, possibly a marine club, and my own club, Bangor Aquarist and Breeders Society - a club that caters to all things fish related, but especially tropical fish. Generally speaking, club memberships are small, and clubs struggle to encourage new people to join. As a club member that is part of a club tradition that goes back 65 years i would certainly like to see more people joining so that in the future others can benefit in the same way I have benefited. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't, I am content regardless enjoying the club with those who currently attend. I don't spend my time lamenting things were different. | Above - A new club t-shirt printed for BABS members in 2017. The first outing wash for the Coryvention in 2017. |
Last year we attended the Cory-vention in Wigan, England, organised by Ian Fuller, an expert corydoras keeper, breeder and author. An expert and a hobbyist - if you go to try and find out anything about Corydoras, his name will come up. i also briefly met Hans Evers (editor of Amazonas magazine) and listened to a couple of fantastic presentations given by him - Hans is probably the ultimate hobbyist. His hobby is his living after all! Eric Bodrock delivered probably my favorite presentation there 'be the fish.' I didn't immediately recognise him until I saw a youtube tour of his fish house online. A great experience and opportunity to meet some of the top hobbyists around, and all because I go to my local club. And whilst this was all fantastic, one of my favorite memories was running around Asda with a tape measure trying to find a big enough suitcase for a couple of club members that got carried away at Aqualife - all good times.
Readers, I've written this blog as much to shout out to those aquarists that have never thought about joining a club as much as I have to the members of my own club who work hard behind the scenes to keep things going. Your work is appreciated. We're far from perfect, we're just people, but being a member of this club has been an encouragement to me in my hobby and I like to think i've helped and encouraged people in theirs. I hope the local club tradition continues here in Northern Ireland for a few years to come!