Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 19^th November 2024

In Attendance and Apologies

Present: T Warncken; L Teale; J Blackwell; D Dance; J Rolfe; C Judkins; G Cramp; R Stone

Apologies:  B Sutton; N Ponting

Minutes:  G Cramp

Actions from Previous Meeting

• The Christmas Meal will be held at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney on Sunday 8 December 2024 at 15:00. This will be a carvery (turkey, beef), with the option of one, two or three courses (£25, £30, £35). Raffle prizes from Members would be welcomed. A reminder will be emailed to all.
• The Working Party at Plough Pond on Wednesday 30 October 2024 was well attended. Cormorant deterrents were installed (tapes across the Pond) and the island was cleared of vegetation and burned. Solar lights were installed on the island. The crayfish traps were removed.

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.
• The Angling Trust Safeguarding team, led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead provides ongoing support, training and guidance sessions to Welfare Officers and Committee members of angling clubs.

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

• 9 Members attended the PAY6 match fished on 3 November at Newbridge. Results are available on the website.
• 9 Members attended the Gifford Fean Memorial match fished on 10 November at Rushey. The trophy was won by B Sutton. Results will be available on the website.
• The next match, PAY9, will take place on Sunday 24 November at Lower Dunmill (Hungerford Canal). The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00. The barrier to the car park will be unlocked for us (or park in the layby).
• The Christmas Match will be held at Newbridge on Sunday 8 December. The draw will take place at 07:45, fish 09:00 – 13:00 (4 hour match).There are two PAY matches to be re-scheduled at Newbridge (available dates: 22/12; 5/1; 19/1; 9/2 and 23/2)
• 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

• We must observe the Winter Parking restrictions at Newbridge Farm. Currently, our vehicles are not allowed across the cattle grid.
• 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. Although the Thames was in flood at the time, water testing was carried out on 29 October. Phosphate levels were at 0.19 ppm, below the reportable level.

New Actions

• The Angling Trust and Fish Legal 2024 AGMs will be held on Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 6pm and will once again take the format of an online virtual meeting. Our Chairman will attend. If any member wishes to attend, please contact the Chairman, who will forward registration details to you.
• We have been invited to attend a Fisheries Management Course, run by the Environment Agency, on 7 and 8 December (similar to the one attended previously by our Chairman).
• 98 crayfish have been removed from the Pond this year. The traps have now been removed for the winter.
• The lawnmower broke down whilst cutting the grass during the work party. The mower is currently sited at Nick’s farm and will be repaired over the winter.
• The Club will be funding a Christmas present for our bailiff Adam at Newbridge Farm, to thank him for his support to us this year. Chairman will action this.

The meeting ended at 8:30pm.

The next meeting will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on 17^th December 2024. All welcome.