ABOUT US

The AMGK.

The society comprises dedicated goldfish keepers and some of the finest breeders of fancy goldfish in the country. All committed to the care and breeding of goldfish. The membership includes the full range of hobbyists from the very experienced breeders (Some with more than 50 years of experience) to the beginner who may keep fancy goldfish in a single indoor aquarium for pleasure.

We meet on a Sunday afternoon every couple of months from March to November on the edge of Coventry for organised gatherings where we show our fish, attend lectures and spend much of the time in general and informal discussion on all aspects of the goldfish hobby. Our policy of friendship, helpfulness, cooperation and equality (whatever the level of experience), encourages support and advice for the midlands and beyond. Our current membership lives in places as far apart as Manchester, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Birmingham, Shropshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, Wales, Coventry and Canada.

In June of each year, we host an annual open show, one of five major national shows put on by other similar societies based in other areas throughout the country. Fish are judged to the universally agreed Nationwide Standards prepared by all the goldfish societies and cover some 15 recognised varieties of goldfish. Most of these varieties, for which all members strive for the highest quality and perfection through their breeding programmes, cannot be obtained through normal retail outlets but can be obtained directly from the hobbyist breeders belonging to the societies.

A Brief History

In 1973 three goldfish enthusiasts, Frank Orme, Tony Roberts and David Easingwood met together to discuss the possibility of forming a specialist society for goldfish keepers who lived in the midlands.

At the inaugural meeting held at the Foleshill Community Centre, Coventry, on Sunday the 24​th​ March 1974, many enthusiasts turned up in support. The constitution was agreed and the group given the title of ASSOCIATION OF MIDLAND GOLDFISH KEEPERS (AMGK). The committee elected for that year consisted of Chairman Tony Roberts; Secretary Frank Orme. Reg Hancox acted as Treasurer, whilst Dave Denny and Mel Mason also served on the committee.

For two years, this committee remained unchanged and did much to put the AMGK upon a sound footing and ensure its recognition by the other societies, as an authoritative hobbyist body.

The Present

The present committee continues to work hard to make the AMGK a successful society that welcomes members from a wide area of the midlands and beyond. It is a feature of the AMGK that all members treat each other as equals; The more experienced always advise and pass on their knowledge.

Meetings are kept as informal as possible, and the group’s business is usually settled speedily, giving more time to our club focus, the keeping, breeding and showing of fancy Goldfish. One of the most popular features of our meetings is the scheduled table shows of members’ fish. Early in the season members bring along adult fancy goldfish. Later in the year, young fish that have been bred and raised that season is displayed. These miniature shows (anything from 30 ‐ 60 exhibits) invariably provoke much discussion from which the newer and less experienced members can pick up many worthwhile tips.

The club continues to have lectures, talks, videos and slide shows arranged throughout the year, covering all aspects of cold-water fish keeping, including pond and fish house breeding, spawning, raising baby fish and showing. The Association also puts on an annual open show in the middle of summer, which opens the Fancy Goldfish Show season with aplomb.

The AMGK is a big contributor to the National Fancy Goldfish Open Show’s success, held in October each year by the Nationwide: Goldfish Societies UK. The Association has many champion breeders and several Nationwide judges available to advise on Showing. The Association currently has among its ranks breeders of all 20 varieties of goldfish recognised in the Nationwide Standards.

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