Newsletter
SALFORD ANGLING CLUB LTD.
Founded in 1973
c/o 19 Gordon Road
Swinton
MANCHESTER M27 0ET
NEWSLETTER
Dear Members,
The club was formed in 1973 and over the years we have seen some changes and unfortunately lost some of our valuable members. The committee has now felt it the right time to re-evaluate the club’s constitution and revisit the club rules. It is also become necessary to spell out certain aspects of the club which members have forgotten or are/were not aware of.
The committee is chosen by the members to carry out the day to day running of the club and to make decisions on their behalf. Over the past number of years there has been no applications from members to join the committee despite repeated requests at the A.G.M.
The decisions made by the committee are for the benefit of the members and most importantly for the
good management of our waters and fish stock. Recently, those decisions have been unsuccessfully challenged by some members and in one case has involved solicitors.
The committee strive hard to run a successful club (on a voluntary basis) and unsubstantiated claims and threats will not be tolerated.
The club bailiffs are important to the management of our waters and are specifically chosen by our head bailiffs for their knowledge and understanding of our waters. The bailiffs have the full backing of the committee and any abuse or threats towards them will not be tolerated.
All our waters are rented, and our landlords place certain responsibilities on our club to keep their waters in good order. To comply with our landlords wishes we have sometimes to close our waters
to carry out work parties. We also, as a club, carry out work parties to keep our waters in good order.
The work party participation by members has been disgraceful with the average attendance in single figures from a membership of 200+.Most of the attendees have been committee members.
This must stop, or we will be forced in to hiring outside contractors at the club’s expense.
Most members think the membership fee they pay is aligned to the number of waters we have. This is not the case. Membership fees are to cover the cost of running the club. Whilst we have lost some waters and therefore do not have the rental expense this does not drastically reduce our costs. For example, Abram water was on a gentleman’s agreement with no rental paid.
Membership fees will remain the same for 2025.
In 2022 the committee agreed to investigate the introduction of a website to reduce costs and bring the club in to the 21st century. In 2023 we commissioned Clubmate Ltd to produce a website and, with the
help of the chairman, after many months of hard work we introduced the website in November 2023.
We have had some teething problems, on match bookings, but we consider it a success and it has brought in to the club some 60+ new members as direct result of the website. We would ask all members to make themselves aware of the website. Those members who do not have access to I.T. will still be accommodated on a manual process.
Members meetings at the Borough Social Club have been poorly attended. We reduced meetings from one a month to bimonthly and then to quarterly, but we are still having an attendance of less than 20.
We have therefore decided to stop all members meeting apart from the AGM with immediate effect.
All information for members can be found on the website and on our Facebook page.
It is a condition of joining our club that new members complete at least three work parties in their first year. 90% of new members have not done this. We will therefore carry over the work party completion requirement over to 2025.This will be rigidly enforced as we can check attendees from the website. Remember to book on work parties if you are a new member.
Our secretary, Mr. Peter Yardley, one of the founder members of the club, resigned early in the year.
Peter has served the club in various posts during his 51-year tenure, and we cannot express our gratitude to him strongly enough. He has kindly agreed to continue in an advisory capacity to which the club is grateful.
Mr. Derek Tomlinson jnr.has agreed to take on the role until the 2025 AGM.
We therefore invite applications for this role.Applicants must have been a member of the club for at least three years and not hold a similar position in any other angling club. Election will take place at the 2025 AGM.
For members and possible new members to consider renewing their 2025 membership we give below some of the proposed changes to the club’s constitution, rules and special rules for waters.
Please read them carefully before considering your renewal.
It is a condition of renewal and payment that members accept and are bounded by the club’s rules and conditions.
If they are not to your liking, please do not join.
Changes /Amendments proposed to the 2021 rule book and website.
Rule 1. The club to be called Salford Angling Club Ltd
Rule 2. Officials to consist of Chairman,Secretary,Treasurer and 5 committee members. No members shall hold the position unless he/she has been a full member for three full years.
Committee members are expected to attend meetings at least 6 times per year where possible
Rule 5 be deleted.
Rule 8. Extraordinary General Meetings will only be called when deemed by the committee only.
Rule 12 to read subscriptions will be reviewed annually by the committee.
Rule 13 amends to read ‘or a relative of the member’
Rule 14 amends to read’ online application’.
Rule 15 to read official guest tickets will be made available to members guests and must be obtained in advance by the member.
Rule 23 add bivvies must not hinder the footpath or pegs driven into the footpath
Rule 35 add or one pole only, subject to special rules for club waters.
Add Rule 39. Any member who has a grievance must notify the committee immediately in writing or within 7 days whichever is soonest.
Add Rule 40. Any member finding fish in distress or showing signs of disease must report the matter to a club official immediately. If contact cannot be made with the official, please report the matter to the E.A.and contact the clubs official as soon as possible.
Add Rule 41 New members must complete at least three work parties in their first year of membership.
Add rule 42. The committee’s decision is final.
Special Rules for club waters.
Sandhole reservoir.
From 1st October until 30th April each year two rods or one pole only to be used
From 1st May until 31st September each year only one rod or one pole only to be used.
Roe Green pool
2 rods or one pole may be used all year.
We are urgently looking for new waters and will announce them as soon as possible.
We will update members nearer to membership renewal time on our plans for 2025 and hopefully some exciting news for Roe Green pool.
Regards
Derek Tomlinson
Chairman on behalf of Salford Angling Club Ltd.
