THE Goldfish Society of Great Britain ARCHIVE - 1948 to 2002

Usual meeting place or headquarters address:..............................

Magazine or Journal details........................

Regularly Staged Special Events......................

Number of members in peak attending years......................

Goldfish Society of Great Britain

The history of the goldfish spans well over a thousand years. Red-coloured fishes are mentioned in fourth-century records as occurring in the rivers cf southern China and by the thirteenth century they had become popular pets. Although specimens did not reach Europe for another four hundred years, their popularity has certainly never waned since. Some of the history and the development of the goldfish from those early "red-coloured fishes" to the many varieties available were seen on the stand of the Goldfish Society of Great Britain.

This amateur society was composed of enthusiasts who banded together to protect and develop this most familiar of all the aquarium fishes, in its many genetical variations. The Society was formed in 1948 and had consolidated itself as the national society qualified to represent this attractive fish. Its Standards were recognised by the Federation of British Aquatic Societies and the Federation of Northern Aquarium Societies and efforts were being made to reach working arrangements with Bristol A.S. and the Midland Aquarium and Pool Society 

Membership was open to anyone with an interest in the goldfish, be it in aquarium or pond, and members were kept in touch through the regular issue of a bulletin and technical papers and by meetings held quarterly in London. A friendly intimate atmosphere was maintained among members but the emphasis was on study and research. Whilst not strictly speaking a scientific society, the approach to the hobby was on broad scientific lines, which had attracted many aquarists in all parts of the world to the Society. At the annual Convention, most of the known variations of the goldfish from the normal were seen on exhibition and in competition.

Membership

My favourite memory is .....................................

Where a successor body is known to be functioning in the same area would you like Aquarists reunited to leave the details here?