Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 17^th December 2024

In Attendance and Apologies

Present: L Teale; J Blackwell; D Dance; J Rolfe; C Judkins; G Cramp; J Pike; N Ponting

Apologies:  T Warncken; B Sutton; R Stone

Minutes:  G Cramp

Actions from Previous Meeting

• The Angling Trust and Fish Legal 2024 AGMs were held on Tuesday 26th November 2024 as online virtual meetings. Our Chairman attended both meetings and voted on behalf of the Club in favour of both motions presented. These were: to accept the minutes of the 2023 AGM meetings and to elect Dom Lattimer as the Angling Trust’s Safeguarding Lead.
• The lawnmower broke down whilst cutting the grass during the last work party. The mower is currently sited at Nick’s farm and will be repaired over the winter.
• Our bailiff Adam at Newbridge Farm would prefer not to receive a Christmas present from the Club and instead use the funds for the fisheries. The Club would again like to thank him for his support to us this year.
• We were unable to attend the Fisheries Management Course, run by the Environment Agency, on 7 and 8 December. In the past, this has proved to be a very valuable course and it is hoped that we will be invited again in the future.

Club Welfare Officer’s Report

• Our Club Welfare Officer is Richard Stone (mob. 07551 031857).
• The Club’s welfare policy is available on our website (www.ploughangling.org.uk/safeguarding/)
• No issues have arisen this past month.
• Richard has been in contact with the Angling Trust Safeguarding Team, to introduce himself and be made aware of ongoing support available.

Sea Secretary’s Report

• The trip planned for 20 October was cancelled owing to bad weather.
• Next trip, sailing from Weymouth, is scheduled for 16 March 2025.
• Contact Chris Judkins if you would like to be involved in the Sea Fishing Group.

Match Secretary’s Report

• PAY9 at Lower Dunmill, scheduled for Sunday 24 November, was postponed owing to Storm Bert. This match has been re-scheduled for Sunday 19 January at the same venue. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00.
• The Christmas Match at Newbridge, originally scheduled for Sunday 8 December was postponed owing to bad weather and poor river conditions. This match was re-scheduled for 22 December, but unfortunately, had to be postponed again for the same reasons. It is hoped that the match will now take place on Sunday 5 January. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:15 – 14:15 (5 hour match).
• PAY7 has been re-scheduled for Sunday 9 February at Newbridge. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:15 – 14:15.
• PAY8 has been re-scheduled for Sunday 23 February at Newbridge. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:15 – 14:15.
• A reserve date of Sunday 2 March is available, in case of any further postponements.
• The next match is the LOMO Pairs on Sunday 29 December, to be fished on the Church stretch of the Hungerford canal. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00.
• The Match Fund stands at £262.00. No outstanding invoices.

Treasurer’s Report

• Refer to printed minutes.
• There are currently no outstanding invoices.

Vice Chairman’s Report

• Plough Pond is now CLOSED until 2 February 2025.
• Priory Fishery have been advised that we wish to purchase the following fish for February 2025 delivery:

50           Bream, 1lb                          £500.00

45           Crucian Carp, 6 – 8”           £177.75

45           Tench, 6 – 8”                       £177.75

               Delivery                               £75.00

               Total incl. VAT:                   £1,116.60

Chairman’s Report

• No water testing at the pond has taken place at Plough Pond since the Working Party on 30 October.
• Water quality testing at Newbridge is continuing as part of our role in the national study of rivers by the Angling Trust. Owing to river conditions, no water testing has taken place since 29 October.

New Actions

• The Club would once again like to thank Sue & Carl at the RBL Sports & Social Club for hosting our Christmas meal on 8 December. The event was well received by the 14 members and 2 guests present. The raffle raised £105 for the Club, with prizes donated by those present.
• Our AGM will take place on Sunday 2^nd February 2025 at the RBL Sports & Social Club, starting at 19:00. Buffet food will be provided, and the bar will be open. The Chairman will email Members in due course.
• A Work Party at Plough Pond will take place on Sunday 22 December at 10:00. The main aim is to add to the cormorant deterrent tapes; check the solar lights on the island; install the camera and generally tidy up after the recent storms.

The meeting ended at 8:20pm.

The next meeting will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on 21^st January 2025. All welcome.