Committee Report 2024

Since the AGM, the Committee has been looking at the overall maintenance and upkeep of our waters. Over the past few weeks, with the involvement of John Aplin, we looked at all our beats based on the feedback we received we developed a new annual work schedule. While we were at it, we looked again at our contract and we revised that too. We’re also happy to report we recently formally agreed this with our keeper to take effect from April 1st.

So far this year, we’ve managed only one work party, upstream of Whitfield hatches. Much brush was cleared, one fallen tree removed and a lot of coppicing done at select bankside areas. Of course, the current flood conditions are continuing to frustrate our pre-season maintenance plans but do keep a close eye on the website and this blog for announcements of future parties. Work parties are important not just for our waters, but also the opportunity meet and work together – and we all benefit! All being well the next meet will be at Blue Bridge on March 2nd, but we may schedule others if conditions permit.

In other news, the Committee has decided to replace fencing in the Upper Water using the same contractor who did such a good job for us before. We’re pleased that we’ve managed to leverage some grant funding to help with the cost, but the rest will be self-funded. Dates are yet to be confirmed and we will take care to minimise any disruption while the work is carried out. This will greatly improve access and our ability to maintain the bankside. Additionally, we are looking at other ways to improve the waters hereabouts, and if viable and successful, we’ll be hoping to get these underway after the ’24 season closes. We’ll keep you posted.

Membership is almost complete for 2024 season, when it it the Membership cards, etc. will be published and posted out to Members ASAP.