Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 18^th June 2024

Present: G Cramp; T Warncken; B Sutton; N Ponting; L Teale; J Blackwell; D Dance; J Rolfe; V D’Souza.

Apologies: None received.

Minutes: Gary Cramp

Actions from Previous Meeting

• Action on changing our NatWest account signatories is still ongoing.
• The new website is up and running. Thanks to Terry Warncken for his work on designing and producing the site:
  • Same domain (www.ploughangling.org.uk)
  • Secure hosting (SSL) provided by EasySpace Ltd.
• Actions from Club Officers’ meeting on 4^th June 2024:
  • Gary Cramp has agreed to become Club Secretary for the interim until the AGM
  • Richard Stone has agreed to become Club Welfare Officer for the interim until the AGM.
  • Nick Ponting has reached an agreement with the Landowner of Plough Pond, to secure our fishing rights for (at least) the next 5 years.

Club Welfare Officer’s Report

• Subsequent to this meeting, Richard Stone has agreed to take on the role of Club Welfare Officer on an interim basis. This position is a requirement of our insurance provider (Angling Trust).
• The Club’s welfare policy is available on our website (www.ploughangling.org.uk/safeguarding/)

Sea Secretary’s Report

• In Chris’s absence, Barry Sutton reported that the fishing trip scheduled for 16^th June was cancelled owing to bad weather.
• Next trip is scheduled for 14^th July.
• Contact Chris Judkins if you would like to be involved in the Sea Fishing Group.
• The Pools Match on 26^th May at Plough Pond was fished as the Ron Foster Memorial and was won by D Dance.
• A total of 3 matches had been fished since the last meeting, all details are on the web site.
• The next match will be at Newbridge on Sunday 23^rd June (PAY 2).
• The match fund is currently £325.00. Trophy engraving is outstanding.

Match Secretary’s Report

• The Pools Match on 26^th May at Plough Pond was fished as the Ron Foster Memorial and was won by D Dance.
• A total of 3 matches had been fished since the last meeting, all details are on the web site.
• The next match will be at Newbridge on Sunday 23^rd June (PAY 2).
• The match fund is currently £325.00. Trophy engraving is outstanding.

Treasurer’s Report

• Refer to printed Minutes.

Vice Chairman’s Report

• Plough Pond Development Plan document has been prepared by Terry Warncken and activities have started following the agreement reached with the Landowner, securing our fishing rights for at least 5 years.
• The felling of dead and overhanging trees on the island will commence on Saturday 13^th July. A work Party will be scheduled (2 chain saws and 4 helpers needed).
• The pre-planted coir rolls required for the marginal planting trial along a section of the island are on a 12 week lead time. An order will be placed with A.G.A. Group for 3 x 2m pre-planted Coir Rolls.
• A Summer House is to be erected by the Landowner for his family’s use and ours. This will be sited behind Pegs 17 – 19. Some trees will be removed to give unrestricted sight of the Pond from the Summer House.
• The cormorant tapes will be removed for the summer months at the request of the Landowner. The tapes will be re-positioned, and their number increased during the winter months.

Chairman’s Report

• A report of illegal fishing was received from our Bailiff at Newbridge. The three anglers involved refused to pay for their Day Tickets, even though the new signs make it clear to all that fishing is allowed by Members and Day Ticket Holders only.
• If any Member suspects that someone is fishing illegally, you can report this to the Environment Agency (0800 80 70 60). Calls will be logged and patrols will take place by the EA and Angling Trust Enforcement Officer if this proves to be an ongoing issue for us. Members are advised not to put themselves at risk.
• There are sheep in all fields at Newbridge. Please ensure that the gate at the entrance to the Farm (next to the cattle grid) is closed after use. Car parking in the field is at your own risk, but the sheep do not appear to be interested in our vehicles.
• When fishing the river please ensure that you display your car parking permit inside your front windscreen.
• Water testing at the pond shows that Nitrate is detected, but reducing.  All other contaminants measured (Nitrite; Phospate and Ammonia) are absent. Levels of dissolved oxygen are currently high.
• Water quality testing at Newbridge is continuing as part of our role in the national study of rivers by the Angling Trust. Phosphate levels at Newbridge are currently above the reportable value of 0.303ppm and therefore this has been reported to the EA.

New Actions

• Replacement crayfish traps have been ordered for the Pond. These should be more robust than the previous ones. 8 crayfish have been caught in 6 traps since mid-May. (Note: we have a license for 10 crayfish traps).
• Fish stocks at Plough Pond were discussed. The Chairman will contact our Stocking Coordinator (Bill H) to look at stocking bream of 1.5 – 2lb in late February 2025 (approx. cost £1000.00). The intention now is to continue annual stocking to gradually increase levels.
• Any feedback from Members about the new Club Website is welcome. Photos from pleasure catches and matches will be added to our Gallery.
• The annual Barbeque and Presentation Evening will be held on Saturday 20^th July 2024, starting at 19:00 (food at 20:00). There will be a raffle and the Club will donate £40.00 in raffle prizes. However, as in previous years, all prize donations are welcome. All funds generated will benefit the Club.

The meeting ended at 9:00pm.

The next meeting will take place at the British Legion at 19:30 on 16^th July 2024.