The Chairman welcomed the 42 members of the club who attended the 2010 AGM at the Lamb Inn, Yapton. He told the members the club has had another successful season and he was also very pleased to announce a new stillwater for next season, available from April 1st 2011.

The new water is approximately 2 acres in size, it has been rarely fished especially in recent years so it could hold some pleasant surprises. We are aware that it holds a reasonable stock of carp with the largest at around 20lb. There is also a good head of silver fish and we’ve been informed that two sturgeon were put in the water about 10 years ago but have not been seen since, should be interesting to see if they’re still in there!

Details and location of the new water will appear later on the website and in the 2011/12 handbooks. Under the terms of our lease no Member will be allowed to visit the venue until it opens.

The Treasurer presented the accounts for the 2009/10 season and these were formally adopted. The Treasurer also presented his proposals for the subscription fees for the 2011/12 season. Unfortunately he was proposing an increase of £4 for a full adult member with other categories adjusted pro-rata. This we were told was necessary to take account of the impending VAT increase, funding our new water and to pay for the extensive contract work we have commissioned to improve the Hurston Lane Fishery. After some discussion the meeting took the advice of our Treasurer and ratified the new fees.

The Secretary paid tribute to the work of Tim Nudds as Membership Secretary and Phil Tubb as Treasurer both of whom had taken on the roles with enthusiasm and dedication.

The Membership Secretary reported an overall increase in memberships over last season but with a slightly smaller ratio of full adult members. He also paid tribute to the staff at Arun Angling and the staff at the other local angling shops who have sold memberships for us: Aldwick Angling, Havant Angling, Tropikoi and Tidal Angling.

The Fishery Manager updated the meeting on the Hurston Lane project and explained that because of a serious leak in the Tench Pond we were unable to work on the Carp Pond this autumn. The conditions will not be right for this work to be undertaken until the spring of next year. When the project commences he will need volunteers to help with the fish movement part of the operation and asked that members keep an eye out for notices at the venues, on the website and in the Tackle shops. If you are able to assist, please give Nelson your contact details and expect a phone call.

The following were elected to serve the club:

Officers

President: Norman Thomas

Chairman: Nigel Chapman

Vice Chairman: Martin Eyres

Treasurer: Philip Tubb

Secretary: Steve Simmonds

Membership Secretary: Tim Nudds

Fishery Manager: Nelson Keet

Match Secretary: Steve Simmonds

Committee Members

Alec Newton, Peter Foster, Ray Newnham, John Swindell, Roger Poole, Mick Harmsworth, Vince Herringshaw and Ray Huskisson.

John Swindell, who has been a member and stalwart of the club for many many years was elected as a Honorary Life Member. John has served on the committee almost as long as he’s been a member and was our Treasurer for most of that time. The decision was greeted with a round of applause.

Peter Skinner proposed a vote of thanks to all the officers and committee of the club who worked hard on the member’s behalf.

The meeting concluded with an excellent buffet supper and the presentation of the 2009/10 season match trophies.

A full list of last seasons winners and a few photos of some of the recipients can be found on the 2009/10 match season review HERE