Plough Angling Club Minutes
Meeting: 21st January 2025
In Attendance and Apologies
Present: L Teale; J Blackwell; D Dance; J Rolfe; C Judkins; G Cramp; N Ponting; T Warncken; B Sutton
Apologies: R Stone
Minutes: G Cramp
Actions from Previous Meeting
- A Work Party at Plough Pond took place on Sunday 22 December at 10:00 and was well attended. The main aims were 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. All work was duly completed.
- The lawnmower is currently sited at Nick’s farm and is in need of repair, having stopped working during grass cutting. Jon Blackwell assured us that the mower would be repaired by his son in readiness for the Spring. Additional support was offered if needed.
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.
Sea Secretary’s Report
- 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
- Three matches have been fished since the last meeting.
- The LOMO Pairs match took place on 29 December on the Church stretch of the Hungerford Canal, with 9 Members attending. The trophy was won by Nick Ponting and Danny Dance.
- The first leg of the Nick Ponting Canal Trophy took place on 12 January on the Tavern stretch of the Hungerford Canal, with 7 Members attending. The match was won by Matt Cramp (3ib 8oz, 83 fish!)
- PAY9 was fished on 19 January on the Lower Dunmill stretch of the Hungerford Canal, with 9 Members attending. The runaway winner was Phil Mansbridge. 4 anglers caught 5 gudgeon between them and there were 4 dry nets.
- The second leg of the Nick Ponting Canal Trophy will be fished on 19 January on the Kintbury stretch of the Hungerford Canal. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00.
- 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.
- The Match Fund stands at £284.50. A cheque for £100 has been sent to J Williams to cover the recent canal matches.
- The breakdown of venues for the Plough Angler of the Year matches for 2025 is: 4 river; 4 lake and 1 canal match.
Treasurer’s Report
- Refer to printed minutes.
- There are currently no outstanding invoices and no cash held by the Treasurer.
- The Club’s Officers have proposed to keep Plough Pond CLOSED until 1st April 2025. This will enable us to carry out the following:
- Take delivery of the stock from Priory Fishery in March. As footfall at Plough Pond is generally very low in February, delaying stocking by 1 month should enable us to safeguard the new stock from predation by keeping the cormorant tapes in place across the Pond.
- Schedule Work Parties to carry out swim repairs; apply non-slip coating to the platform swims; marginal planting and removal of some trees on the island.
- Vehicle access to Plough Pond for delivery of the fish is to be confirmed (N Ponting).
- Supplementary feeding is to resume at Plough Pond after re-stocking. Terry will contact Priory Fisheries to confirm the type of feed pellets they use.
- Club’s Website:
- A page will be added for the Sea Anglers,
- The Upcoming Events page will be re-vamped to make it easier to navigate.
- Suggestions from Members for further improvements to the Club’s website are always welcomed.
Chairman’s Report
- Water quality testing at Newbridge is continuing as part of our role in the national study of rivers by the Angling Trust, although no testing has been carried out since 29 October. Testing will resume when river conditions allow.
- Water quality testing at Plough Pond was last carried out on 22 December. Dissolved oxygen levels at all sites tested around the lake were above 80%. Nitrite, Phosphate and Ammonia were not detected. Nitrate levels were raised and in line with the time of year. pH 8 and the water temperature was 6.6oC.
New Actions
- Our AGM will take place on Sunday 2nd February 2025 at the RBL Sports & Social Club, starting at 19:30. Buffet food will be provided, and the bar will be open. An agenda will be emailed to Members.
- The Club’s Secretary, Gary Cramp, will step down after the AGM.
- The Club’s Elected Officers will propose at the AGM that the Membership Subscriptions for all categories of membership remain at 2024/25 levels. This will be voted on by all Members present at the AGM.
- Stacey’s Lakes are to be booked for our 2026/27 match calendar as soon as possible (booking opens this month).
- A Pools match on Plough Pond has been scheduled for 25 May.
- The date(s) of the Team Match(es) against Wantage & Grove AC is still to be finalised. The possibility of a single match fished at a neutral venue (Buscot Park lake) will be discussed with them.
- Please note that the next meeting will take place at the British Legion on Tuesday 18 February 2025, starting at 7:30pm. At this meeting members will be able to renew their permit for the 2025/26 season. Please note any payments need to be in cash, cheques will not be accepted.
The meeting ended at 9:15pm.
The next meeting will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on 18th February 2025. All welcome.
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