Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 17^th March 2026

In Attendance and Apologies

Present: L Teale; J Blackwell; J Rolf; I Frank; C Judkins; B Sutton; M Cramp; P Wilson

Apologies: D Dance; T Warncken; N Ponting

Minutes:  L Teale

Actions from Previous Meeting

• The Secretary has emailed our Fisheries Technical Specialist at the Environment Agency to confirm our interest in receiving fish for Plough Pond. In addition, provided an update on the Fisheries Improvement project at Plough Pond.
• The Crayfish trapping licence expires on 31^st May 2026. The Secretary will apply for a new one.
• The inflatable dingy donated by a Club Member has been moved to Plough Pond. The Club would like to thank Dave Lea for his generosity.

Club Welfare Officer’s Report

• Our Club Welfare Officer is Richard Stone (mob. 07551 031857; rstone0311@yahoo.com.)
• The Club’s welfare policy is available on our website (www.ploughangling.org.uk/safeguarding/)
• No issues were reported this past month.

Sea Secretary’s Report

• The next sea date is 26 April 2026, sailing from Weymouth.
• Contact Chris Judkins if you would like to be involved in the Sea Fishing Group.

Match Secretary’s Report

• Two matches have been fished since the last meeting. Full results are published on our website.
• The third leg of the Nick Ponting Canal Trophy was fished on the Hungerford Canal (Lower Dunmill) on Sunday 22^nd February, with 11 Members and 1 Guest attending. The match was won by Danny Dance with 2lb 4oz of gudgeon In second place was Jim Pike with 2lb 1oz of gudgeon and a roach. In third place was Gary Cramp with 1lb 8oz of gudgeon and a roach.
• The Christmas Shield was finally fished at Newbridge on Sunday 8^th March, with 6 Members attending. The trophy was won by Jim Pike with a single dace of 2½oz, the only fish caught.
• The next match is the NPT 4 trophy on the Hungerford Canal (Upper Dunmill stretch) on Sunday 22^nd March. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00.
• The Ron Foster Memorial will be fished at Plough Pond on Sunday 25^th May. The draw will take place at 07:00, fish 08:00 – 13:00.
• Three dates have been shared with Wantage & Grove AC for the Team Match: 10^th May; 21^st June and 12^th July. It is hoped that we will be able to fish at least one Team Match this coming season. We are awaiting a response.
• The Match Fund currently stands at £218.
• Please return all trophies to the Match Secretary at the April meeting or by 1^st May at the latest.

Treasurer’s Report

• Refer to printed minutes.

Secretary’s Report

• Plough Pond Water Testing:

Water quality testing was carried out on 4^th and 15^th March. Nitrite and Ammonia were both below detectable limits on both dates. Phosphate measured 0.25 ppm on 15^th March. Nitrate levels were 20 and 10 ppm on 4^th and 15^th March respectively. pH 8.0 was recorded in each case. Dissolved oxygen measured between 96.1 (Peg 1) and 140.9% (Peg 10). The water is clear and nutrient rich. The submerged pond plants are starting to grow as last year, hopefully taking up nitrate and providing fish cover.

• Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN):

The Thames at Newbridge has been in flood, so no water testing has been carried out this past month. The Angling Trust has released its third Annual Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN) Report, analysing the largest citizen science water quality dataset ever collected for UK rivers. “12,000 samples collected over three years add further evidence of ongoing government failure to address the river pollution crisis”. A link to the full report is available on the Angling Trust website.

Vice Chairman’s Report

• Plough Pond: A solution to the slippery footbridge has been identified. Non-slip strips, L1.2m x W5cm x H3mm, will be fitted to the walkway. The approximate cost is £93.00.
• Newbridge: The pedestrian gate remains locked, following sheep worrying by dogs in Field 1. Our Secretary spoke with Adam to discuss car parking in preparation for the new season. A spring is to be fitted to the pedestrian gate to keep it closed. Adam is sympathetic to our wish to access Field 1 for parking and will discuss this with the Landowner in readiness for 16^th June.

Chairman’s Report

• Thank You:

Thanks to the 11 Club Members who attended the Work Party at Plough Pond on Friday 6^th March. The first batch of 20 pre-planted Coir Rolls was installed around the periphery of the island. A full report of the work carried out can be seen on our website: March 2026 – Club Volunteers Make Fantastic Progress at Plough Pond – www.ploughangling.org.uk

• Plough Pond Update:

The Pond opened for fishing on 2^nd February 2026.

• Predation:

A few cormorants have been seen during recent patrols. No further otter sightings have been recorded on the wildlife camera. At present, there is no evidence of fish kills in or around the Pond.

• Stocking: Priory Fisheries have provided stock availability for 2027 stocking at Plough Pond:

3 – 6lb Carp (like we had this year). Larger Carp are also available.

10 – 12” Bream (smaller than previous stockings)

8 – 10” Tench

6 – 8” Crucian Carp.

Club Members will agree the budget and which fish to stock.

• Work Parties: A Work Party is needed to install the second batch of Coir Rolls around the island at Plough Pond. Preparation of the stakes will be required beforehand. Work Parties will be published on the Events page of our website and reports of the activities are reported on the News page.

New Actions

• Non recorded.

The meeting ended at 20:20pm.

The next monthly meeting) will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on Tuesday 21^st April 2026. All welcome.