SANDGROUNDERS AQUATIC SOCIETY

About "Sandgrounders" A.S. Our society was formed April 1st,1971 with an annual subscription of £1. However only 8 people attended the meeting. Yet despite this, the venture worked, as during the next 15 or so years the society was a dominant force in the fish showing world. The first show was held the following July, where due to initial enthusiasm over 500 fish were exhibited!

The 70's were a very busy and successful time. In 1972 Steve Hooton was elected as Secretary (still a stalwart member today!) and due to the popularity of the show, it was moved to Meols Cop H.S. in 1973. By 1976 both the membership and the Showing had really taken off. This can be seen in the 1976 photo which certainly captures the atmosphere of the time, when the Show tables were full to overflowing and glass toffee jars were much used! 1976 Show Committee Steve Hooton,3rd left standing During the next few years membership increased to over 120 members and monthly table shows were held where entries were around the 100 mark. Attendances seldom fell below 70 members, so if you weren't early, you didn't get a seat! The "showing" side went from strength to strength and we won the FNAS Show League by huge margins. As can be seen below, there were pleasingly a good number of enthusiastic youngsters involved.(Quite a contrast to today!) Sandgrounders youngsters 1982 saw Sandgrounders win the FNAS Show League for the 5th consecutive year and Show entries were averaging around the 600 mark. Sandgrounders trophy haul The 90's saw the Shows continue to do well with one Show attracting a record 1,175 entries! Also Auctions were successfully started at Meols Cop School and brought in needed revenue for club funds. In 1995 an era came to an end, as the 25th Silver Jubilee Show was the last Show, due to falling membership and increased fees for the hire of the hall. 2000 onwards This decade finds the membership steadily dwindling, as it has in many societies. Whilst many people keep tropical fish, it seems increasingly difficult to tempt them to join a society. OLD PHOTOS WANTED! * My thanks to Steve Hooton for help with info. and photos and also Muriel Kenyon for photos. If any ex "Sandgrounder" reading this, has any old photos, especially of meetings, I would really appreciate them.