Newsletter June 2018

WDAC Newsletter June 18

Welcome to The Warminster & District Angling Club's first newsletter.

Unfortunately We start off with sad news reporting that Stan Curtis, the last remaining founder Club member, passed away whilst on holiday in Scotland with his family. Condolences to all his family. Stan will be sadly missed.

The Club will be very busy this season with the introduction of the ‘New look’ committee whose sole purpose is to take this Club to next level so we can compete on the highest platform. Newly elected President Richard Curtis has transformed the Club by providing a new outlook on how the Club and its committee will work to make this the finest angling club in the South West. In February I was asked to join the committee to introduce fresh and new ideas to make this Club more attractive to anglers to join the WDAC and to act as Richards ‘right hand man’. I do believe that we have made progress and here are a few of the projects started:

1.In February 2018 HMRC granted us Charity status and we are now a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) Charity Ref: CH11505

This now enables us to claim from HMRC the tax paid on donations covering membership subscriptions. As we are a ‘non-profit’ organisation all the reclaimed tax can be spent on improving facilities for our club members.

2. All those that have renewed their 2018/19 memberships have been presented with the Clubs new handbook, Club membership card and a car sticker. This just demonstrates the clubs forward thinking and ambitions to serve the membership.

3. We will be shortly starting work placing an otter fence around the perimeter of both lakes at Witham Friary. Grants will be applied for this project but the club will need the help from the members to cover the labour involved.

4. The need for hard standing at the entrance to the lakes at Witham for up to 10 cars. At present the ground entering the site is very soft which makes access to the lakeside very difficult. Impossible for wheelchair anglers.

5. Erection of toilets, one on each lake. These to be constructed with the disabled in mind.

6. Fishing Platforms. A mixture of single and double platforms to be positioned around the small lake (closest to the carpark) The double platforms to have raised sides making them disabled friendly. The first two platforms are already in place. We have received a good reaction from our members.

7. Repair work to the platforms at Crockerton has already started and a new double door toilet to be erected with a wheelchair ramp to be fitted. This will be in place by Mid- September.

The Mere Angling Club is a recently formed angling club being affiliated to The Warminster & District Angling Club. All new members can enjoy the facilities on offer from the Parent Club, but importantly retaining their own identity as a Club based in Mere (BA12). Any angler in this area who wishes to join or seek more information about the club can contact: Alan Cross on 07736371498.

The Club promised to do more for the Juniors and we have received a fantastic response from the membership. We have now formed a dedicated group within the club to give their free time to encourage the younger element to participate in the art of angling. Firstly it was voted by the committee to make junior membership up to the age of 12 years ‘Free of Charge’ along with a reduced rate covering ages from 13 – 18 years old. During the school holidays this year, the club will be holding angling lessons to any junior who wishes to have a go at fishing. All member teachers will be DBS approved by law, allowing parents to know that their child is in safe hands. These courses will be held over various weekends and are free to all youngsters and parents are encouraged to attend. Food will be provided to all those that attend along with use of fishing tackle. Berkley Lake will be the venue.

The Club shop ‘Steve’s Tackle in George Street Warminster has undertaken some changes incorporating a permanent base for the club to operate from. A new shop frontage created giving it a new modern look. Owner Steve Ware has put in a tremendous effort and a vast investment on behalf of WDAC membership making life easier for members to have on their doorstep a tackle shop covering all their requirements. May I remind everyone that this can only continue if all members support Steve throughout the season.

5th June saw the 1st. match of the season 2018 for the Seniors fished at Crockerton Lake. All the anglers found it hard going and bites were few and far between.

Phil Cahill and Dave Trippick shared the honours both weighing in on the scales 3lb 4oz. Well done to all those that attended.

Next Seniors match at Crockerton is 3rd. July. Draw 9am. Fishing 10am-4pm.

This July will see a select team of carp anglers giving a chance to 6 juniors to do a 24hr. session on the Croc. For all those juniors who cannot make the 1st session then we will run a second fish-in. Contact our Chairman Geoff Scane for details.

The 2018/19 season will see the start of a photo competition which will run from the WDAC website.The idea is to have 12 monthly competitions and the winner of each month will go forward to make

a WDAC calendar which will be on sale at Steve’s Tackle Warminster.

This will be a year long competition starting June 18 to June 2019. Club members can submit their photos taken on club waters. Further details can be obtained from Geoff Scane- Club Chairman.

Members catches:

A few photos of fish caught from Club Waters.

Well that’s it for June. Hope you have enjoyed our very first newsletter and you have a better insight on what the Club is trying to achieve by making it a better club for you the member.

Please keep sending in your fish caught photos to:

alancross01@aol.co.uk along with any comments you would like voiced.