This Article first appeared in the April 1977, Issue 2, edition, The Fishkeeper, a Three Rivers Publication (TTAA). It was written a few years after the TTAA was formed, explaining the benefits of the FBAS to exhibitors and fishkeepers alike. Until the FBAS was adopted in the North East, shows were run to a number of federation's rule, mostly to a gating system which gave very little feed-back to how well the exhibitor's fish had done.
Initial used in the article
AYAS: Association of Yorkshire Aquarist Societies
FBAS: Federation of British Aquatic Societies
FNAS: Federation of Northern Aquarist Societies
TTAA: Tyne-Tees Area Association (of the FBAS)

WHAT IS THE TTAA ??
By Ken Low (TTAA Secretary) 

I have often been asked that question by society members, also, what does the TTAA do for us? To begin, TTAA are the initial letters for "Tyne Tees Area Association" of the FBAS It was formed five years ago after Mr. Drummond and myself made arrangements for a meeting to be held in Sunderland between Council members of the FBAS from London and all the aquarist societies in the North East.
To my knowledge, over the years, three attempts have been made to form a North East Association, but these have folded within a matter of months, mainly I think, because there was no guidelines to follow. There was not enough contact between societies in the N.E. and societies were then members of different Federations, such as FNAS and AYAS My own society, in common with many others, were very unhappy with the workings of these Federations, the only time we had any contact was when our yearly fees were due.
Any member that attended the meeting with the FBAS Council members, will agree, that it was very worthwhile. The Council members explained the workings of the FBAS which was founded in 1938, and how they could help us. After answering questions put to them by N.E. members, it was decided that we would try to form an Area Association in the N.E. 
One of the main points that was stressed by the FBAS Council members was that at no time would the FBAS interfere with the working of the societies in the N.E. That same evening the TTAA was formed, a committee was formed consisting of a Chairman, Secretary, and a representative from each society the only requirement being that member societies become members of the FBAS Monthly meetings were held by the committee and society Reps, until two years ago, when it was decided that a Council be formed, similar to the FBAS This consists of a Chairman Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and six committee members. The Council works to the constitution of the FBAS at no time will the TTAA council dictate to the member societies. The council is there to do the bidding of the member societies if it is at all possible. 
General Assemblies: These are held every quarter, it is at these meetings the council request that every member society have a society delegate present. Any society member is welcome, every member society has one vote on any proposal that is put to the floor, this vote is through the society delegate. General Assemblies are the time for all societies to air their views and to let the council know what they would like. (So you, Society Chairman, get a delegate to these meetings). 
                What does the TTAA do?
For the show minded I think you must agree that over the past three years, the shows have run much smoother and the judges are official F.B.A.S judges. The TTAA has an official Judges and Standards Committee to which any complaints can be made and these will be investigated. All the judges meet periodically, so that any information received from the FBAS Judges and Standards Committee can be discussed and to make sure that all judging is done to FBAS standards. A FBAS/TTAA judge must point every exhibit or give the reason why it is not pointed. The exhibitor pays to have is exhibit judged he can see the results by looking at the judging sheet, which should be displayed.
For society members who are not interested in showing, over the past three years the council have organised two conventions at which we have had guest speakers which most ordinary societies would not be able to afford. Last year the council staged the "Three Rivers Fishkeeping Exhibition" at Lambton Pleasure Park, even for non-show aquarists this was something to see. It was our first effort and with the help of the societies that supported us in the venture it was a success.
If you are reading this article, you must have bought "The Fishkeeper" another new venture by the TTAA, a N.E. aquarium magazine for and by N.E. aquarists.
There is much more that the council would like to do for societies but it all takes time. As a founder member of the TTAA, I am very pleased with the way things have progressed, the N.E. is now on the aquarist map. We are known up and down the country.
There is one thing that 1 would like to say finally that YOU society members are the TTAA, with your help and support in all the venture's staged by your council things will get better and better.
Your council consists of a few dedicated society members whose one aim is to further and help your hobby ie fishkeeping.