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NEW CARP FORUM

BIGGLESWADE & HITCHIN, AA LIMITED

Registered office is 147 Mead End, Biggleswade, Beds, SG18 8JX

PRESIDENT:   W Chisholm Esq .

VICE PRESIDENTS : J Hutchinson Esq. P Henegan Esq. Mrs M R Birchenhall. H Grummitt Esq.            R H Birchenhall Esq. A Brown Esq. C Harris Esq.  O C R Wynne Esq. Capt. F O S Wynne. L Day Esq.   Mrs R Ball. C J C Ibbett Esq. D Smith Esq. A Price Esq. M Payne Esq. C Ball Esq

CHAIRMAN:   P Currell Esq.

V. CHAIRMAN: A Keeley Esq

SECRETARY: J Lincoln Esq.  25 Grosvenor Gardens, Biggleswade. Tel: 01767 316693

TREASURER AND MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY : A Pogmore Esq. 147 Mead End, Biggleswade.            Tel: 01767 223147

WATER PROTECTION OFFICERS P Hughes - 01767 316087. W Chisholm - 01462 700614. J Hutchinson - 01767 260506.  E Sharman - 01767 318675. J Lincoln - 01767 316693

MINUTES SECRETARY: P Currell Esq

MATCH SECRETARY: M Crouch Esq.  5 Station Road, Sandy. Tel: 01767 681548

ASSISTANT MATCH SECRETARY: N Hallybone Esq  Tel: 01767 317615

BOARD MEMBERS: R Albone. P Currell Jnr. A Davies. B Kitchener.  D Rainbow.

LIFE MEMBERS:    R Hitchcock Esq. H Grummett Esq. A Price Esq. R H Birchenall Esq. R Livock Esq.    A Brown Esq. K Crockford Esq. L Day Esq. G Stevens Esq. G Ball Esq. J Hutchinson Esq.  

BAILIFFS: J James Esq. R Packer Esq. I Scott Esq.  

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2003 / 2004

(Subscriptions for 2003/ 04 include a gate key.  If you loose your key a replacement can be obtained from the Membership Secretary at a cost of £3 plus P & P)

ADULTS:  £35.00

JUNIORS: (Up to 16 yrs):  £10.00

Intermediate: (16-17 years old)  £ 20.00

Retired persons :  £20.00

Disabled : £20.00

FAMILY (Member, spouse and all children up to 16 yrs):  £ 40.00

NIGHT PERMIT FOR GINGERBREAD LAKE (Via Membership Secretary Only): £40.00 (in addition to membership fee)

 CONSTITUTION

• 1. Name:   The name of The Association shall be Biggleswade & Hitchin A. A. Ltd (hereafter referred to as ‘The Association’) a company limited by guarantee with it’s registered office at 147 Mead End, Biggleswade, Beds., for the time being.
• 2. Aims:   The aims of The Association shall be to provide and continuously improve angling facilities for its members, to promote fair angling, to cultivate good feeling amongst anglers, to protect the rights of anglers and the property of riparian owners and farmers.
• 3. MANAGEMENT:
• a) The affairs of The Association shall be conducted by a Board elected at Annual General meetings and consisting of a President, Vice Presidents, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Minute Secretary, Membership Secretary and up to nine Ordinary or Life Members.
• The President and Vice Presidents shall be elected annually.
• All other Board members shall be elected for three-year terms with the elections staggered as follows:-
• Year 1:  Chairman, Treasurer, three Ordinary or Life Members.
• Year 2:  Vice Chairman, Membership Secretary, three Ordinary or Life Members.
• Year 3:  Secretary, Minute Secretary, Match Secretary, three Ordinary or Life Members.
• In the event of a Board member failing to complete their elected term, for whatever reason, a successor will be elected at the next A.G.M. for the remainder of that term, or co-opted if for less than a full year.
• b) All members of the Board shall have voting power with the presiding Board member having a second or casting vote.
• c) Seven Board members shall constitute a quorum.
• d) The Trustees may at the same time hold any other Board positions in the Association other than that of Treasurer.
• e) The Board shall have all necessary power to effect efficient management including the power to make by-laws providing these do not conflict with the existing Association rules.
• f) The Board shall have the power to appoint sub-committees as it deems necessary and to decide their terms of reference and constitution.
• g) Any member of the Board other than the President, or a Vice President, failing to attend three consecutive meetings shall cease to be a member of the Board of the Association unless he or she sends in an acceptable written explanation within one calendar month of such non-attendance
• 4. ELECTIONS
• a) No nominations for membership of the Board will be valid unless the nominee and proposer have held full membership for twelve months prior to nomination.
• b) It is a condition of membership of the Board that each member elected shall share in the work of management, as delegated, or in work on The Association’s waters according to his ability and aptitude.
• c) The Match Committee will be responsible to the Board, meet regularly, appoint its own Chairman, keep records and, through the Match Secretary, make a report at each meeting of the Board.
• d) An Auditor shall be appointed by the Board to audit the accounts of The Association.
• e) No member under eighteen years of age shall vote on any matters.
• 5. TRUSTEES
• a) There shall not be less than two or more than three Trustees of the Association.
• b) The Trustees are W Chisholm, J Hutchinson and P Currell Snr.
• c) Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation, or until removed by a resolution of the Board.
• d) Appointment or replacement of Trustees shall be by the Board.
• e) All property of The Association (except cash which will be under the control of the Treasurer), including leases and fishing leases, shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with by them as the Board shall from time to time by resolution direct.
• 6. MEMBERSHIP
• a) Applications for membership or renewal of membership may be made in writing, (enclosing a s.a.e.) to the Membership Secretary. The Membership Secretary may, however, make additional arrangements as approved by the Board.
• b) The annual subscription rates shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting.
• c) New members will only be accepted when vacancies arise.
• d) The membership year is from June 16^th to the following June 15^th inclusive.
• 7. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
• The Association may award Life Membership as it deems fit. This will be by nomination and election at Annual General Meetings with a two-thirds majority being necessary to carry.  The award of Life Membership will normally be in recognition of exceptional service or support.

8. DISCIPLINE

• All members are expected to behave in a fit and proper manner at all times when their behaviour can be connected with The Association. Any member reported or found to be bringing The Association into disrepute, or causing damage to Association or riparian owners property, will have their behaviour considered by the Board who may take such action as they deem fit.
• Noticeboards have been elected in prominent places and any member reported for infringing the fishing rights of adjacent clubs will be liable to expulsion at the sole discretion of the Board.

9. INDEMNITY

• All Trustees, Board members, Ordinary or Life members acting officially on behalf of The Association shall be indemnified against all personal liability for such action under the Association’s Limited status to the sum of £1 of their membership fee.

10. FINANCE

• All monies, securities, deeds, etc shall be normally kept with The Association’s bankers/solicitors, who shall be decided by the Board. All cheques shall be signed by any two of three signatories appointed by the Board.
• The treasurer shall present audited financial statements for the preceding complete year plus a report to date on the current year to the Annual General Meeting and otherwise as directed by the Board.
• The Association’s Financial year shall be from June 16^th to the following June 15^th inclusive.

11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

• A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Board or by the requisition of not less than twelve members in writing giving 28 days notice through the Secretary.
• Only business named will be dealt with and all resolutions will require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to carry.

12. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

• The Annual general Meeting of The Association shall be held between March 14^th and the end of April, the precise date and venue to be decided by the Board and published to the membership.
• The Constitution and any other Association Rules may only be amended at an Annual General or Special General Meeting. Notice of any proposed rule changes must be received by the Secretary at least 28 days prior to the meeting and will require a majority of two-thirds of the voting members present to carry.
• Business other than that on the official agenda will only be conducted at the discretion of the Chairman.
• 13. BYE-LAWS
• No Board member of The Association may at the same time hold a position with any other angling association, except with the express permission of the Board.

 WATER RULES

• 1. No anglers are allowed to occupy any club water with tackle or to reserve swims in any form before mid-day on June 15^th, with the exception of Gingerbread Lake and Links Pool, which will remain open all year round.
• 2. The maximum continuous length of stay permitted on any club water will be 48 hours in any 72-hour period.
• 3. Members are expected to show due consideration towards other anglers fishing within a reasonable distance.
• 4. As an Association member you have responsibilities.   Read the Association Rules and make sure that you abide by them.
• 5. Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will bring no discredit to The Association or annoyance to fellow anglers.
• 6. Keep off mowing grass and growing crops, close all gates and use only official access points to waters.
• 7. A member will deposit no litter, and is responsible for ensuring his swim is left free from all rubbish, however caused.
• 8. Members are not allowed to take a dog with them when fishing on Association waters, except at Gingerbread Lake, where it must be kept on a lead and strictly controlled.
• 9. No fishing in the immediate vicinity of locks and weirs controlled by the Environment Agency.
• 10. No fishing shall be permitted on Association waters during the closed season, i.e. March 15^th to June 15^th inclusive, with the exception of Gingerbread Lake and Links Pool, which will remain open all year round.
• 11. Our farmers and water owners regard The Association as custodians of their property and members shall report anyone who disregards the rules of good ang
• 12. All members are Honorary Bailiffs and may request other anglers fishing Association waters to show their membership card.
• 13. Boats and Dinghies may not be moored or used on any Association waters, with the exception of ‘bait boats’ on Gingerbread Lake in an anglers own swim up to halfway across to the opposite bank.
• 14. Camping and lighting of fires is prohibited on all Association waters.
• 15. Members noticing pollution on any of The Association’s waters are expected to notify an officer of The Association who will then arrange for samples to be taken for analysis and for any other appropriate action. Remember that your prompt action in these circumstances could safeguard your sport.
• 16. Night fishing is not allowed on Tempsford waters until further notice.
• 17. No member shall take fish of any species from any of The Association’s waters for use as live or dead bait or for any other reason without the Boards permission.  (It should be noted that, under Environment Agency rules, live bait may not be brought from elsewhere for use on this Association’s waters.)
• 18. No Pike or Carp to be retained in carp sacks or keepnets except during Association Matches.
• 19. No bank work to be undertaken on Association waters without the express permission of the Board.
• 20. When fishing for Pike or Carp, an unhooking mat MUST be used.
• 21. Parking at Gingerbread Lake is restricted. Do not park on two promontories at each end of the lake or in copses.
• 22. Exercise extreme caution when fishing near overhead power lines especially when using a pole.
• 23. The maximum speed for vehicles being driven around Gingerbread Lake is ‘Walking Pace’.
• 24. Irresponsible and antisocial behaviour on Association waters will be considered by the Board and could lead to expulsion.
• 25. Night fishing from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (see national Press for sunset and sunrise times) is prohibited without holding a valid Night Fishing Permit. Members may night fish at Gingerbread Lake for up to four nights per year as part of the standard membership by pre-booking via the Membership Secretary, Match Secretary or a Bailiff.  The member must enter the date and reference for each booking into the log provided in this membership book. Such visits are restricted to a 24-hour maximum length of stay on each visit.
• 26. An optional night fishing permit may be applied for via the Membership Secretary.
• 27. Night fishing will be deemed to begin half an hour after sunset and to end half an hour before sunrise.
• 28. The Association shall not be responsible for personal injury or loss or damage to the property of any member.
• 29. Members should carry their membership book with them at all times whilst on Association waters.

                 GINGERBREAD LAKE  - NIGHT FISHING RESTRICTIONS



With effect from the 16^th June 2002 members will only be able to fish Gingerbread Lake between the following times:

From half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. (For sunrise and sunset times see National Press.) -OR LINK TO                 

Note : Holders of day membership permits may fish up to 2 nights per year by applying in writing to the Chairman in advance - Mr Peter Currell, 55 Gaunts Way, Letchworth, Herts. A written authorisation for each night will be issued by him. Applications by telephone will not be accepted so should not be attempted.

 

OPTIONAL NIGHT FISHING PERMIT:

Members may apply for an annual night permit (valid until 15th June 2004) at an additional cost of £40 via the Membership Secretary. Please note that the night permit will incorporate a photo and the permit cannot be issued without 2 passport size photographs being supplied.

 

Membership book and Night Permit must be carried at all times.

Current ‘Water Rules’ apply to the optional night fishing permit.

 

Membership Secretary:  Anthony Pogmore  Tel: 01767 – 223147

 

Club books are obtainable from :

ALAN BROWN OF HITCHIN--118 Nightingale road Hitchin Herts 01462 459918

OUSE VALLEY ANGLING--Unit 4. 25-31 Huntingdon Street, St Neots 01480 476088

THOMPSONS TACKLE-- 25b Hitchin road, Arsley, Beds

ANDY’S ANGLING CENTRE--19 High Street, Shefford, Beds 01462 850061

POPLETTS TACKLE-- 12 The Hyde, Shephall, Stevenage, Herts 01438 352415

SPORTSMANS LODGE BEDFORD--Howard Street, Bedford, Beds 01234 269724

COUNTRYSPORTS--Priory Marina, Barkers Lane, Bedford, Beds 01234 272082

NORTH HERTS ANGLING CENTRE--Baldock

The association has a full match fishing fixture for the year, details of which are included within the membership book. Further information can be obtained from Martin Crouch, 5 Station Way, Sandy, Beds, SG19.