East Grinstead Angling
Society
(Established 1955)
Constitution and Rules
Revision March 2024
Safety
The Society wants all members to be able
to fish safely. With this mind there are regular safety inspections and
maintenance work on the Society’s waters and we ask you to observe any
temporary closure notices.
Please be careful when fishing our
waters. Think about your own safety and that of other members. If you see
anything that you think may affect the safety of members report it to a bailiff
or the Secretary
Thank you
Introduction
It
is hoped that this booklet will provide you, the member, with all the
information you need to enjoy the Society's waters. The next few pages include
the Society’ constitution, rules and general information. All members,
particularly those who have recently joined The Society, should read the rules
carefully. Details of Society officers will be found in your membership card.
You will be notified of any club matches. If you
visit a venue where a match is being held you may find your ability to fish, or
choice of swims is restricted.
Information
·
Please read the rules contained
in this booklet before visiting the Society’s waters.
·
Members
are reminded of the legal obligation to possess a valid Environment Agency Rod
Licence. You should produce this when requested by an EA bailiff or police
constable. Sight of membership cards may be requested by a club bailiff or
another member (Rule 13.7).
·
Members
can discuss any subject matter relating to The Society personally with the
committee during the first half hour of any committee meeting. (See Rule 6.1).
·
Night
fishing, i.e. before dawn or after dusk, is not permitted on The Society’s
waters with the exception of Shovelstrode.
·
Litter will not be tolerated on
The Society’s waters. Take it home with you or face expulsion. (See Rule 13.3)
·
Guest
Tickets and Exchange Permits see Rule 16.
·
The
Society recommends that barbless hooks should be used on all waters, with the
exception of hooks used for Pike. (See pike Code of Practice). This is a
mandatory requirement at Readers Lake.
Constitution
1.0 The Society Constitution
1.1 The Society shall be known as East
Grinstead Angling Society (the Society).
2.0 Objects
2.1 The objects of the Society are
to encourage fair angling and to provide the facilities of an angling society
for its members including the acquisition and maintenance of fisheries and the
promotion of angling.
3.0 The Trustees
3.1 There shall be not less than two
and not more than four trustees of the Society. Appointment of the trustees
shall be by the Committee.
3.2 Trustees shall hold office until
death or resignation or until removed by a resolution of the Committee.
3.3 All property of the Society
(except cash, which shall be under the control of the Secretary or Auditor) including
leases shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with by them, as the
Committee shall from time to time direct.
3.4 The Trustees shall be indemnified
out of the assets of the Society against any risk and expenses incurred by them
in pursuance of their office.
4.0 President, Vice
Presidents & Officers
4.1 A President and up to ten
Vice-Presidents shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting after
being proposed, seconded and after indicating their consent.
4.2 A Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Secretary, Treasurer, Maintenance Secretary and Membership Secretary shall be
elected annually at the Annual General Meeting after being proposed, seconded
and indicating their consent. The Officers shall be members of the Committee.
5.0 The Committee
5.1 The Committee shall consist of
the Officers and not less than two or more than seven ordinary members of the
Society elected annually at the Annual General Meeting after being proposed,
seconded and indicating their consent unless already a member of the Committee.
5.2 Each member standing for
election to the Committee shall be required to be a member of the Society and
must declare any involvement with the administration of any another angling
club, association or society.
In addition a member standing for election shall have been a member for
a minimum of two years.
5.3 The Committee may appoint
two additional members onto the Committee for the period up to the next
5.4 Officers and committee
members shall be entitled to pro rata free annual membership in recognition of
the service they provide to the Society. Any officer or committee member may
waive this entitlement when receiving a membership renewal notice.
6.0 Powers and Duties
of The Committee
6.1 The Committee shall meet each
calendar month, with the exception of August and December. It may meet more
frequently if deemed necessary. The first thirty minutes of each meeting is
available for members to make personal representation on any subject matter
pertaining to the Society. The member(s) shall be required to leave the
committee meeting after thirty minutes or as directed by the chairman or acting
chairman.
6.2 The Committee will not convene
on bank holidays unless deemed necessary .
6.3 A quorum shall be at
least four committee members.
6.4 The Committee may declare
vacant the position of any Committee member absent from three consecutive
meetings or four meetings in any year without reasonable excuse. The committee
member so expelled will not be eligible for re-election until a period of one
year has elapsed.
6.5 Decisions made by The
Committee shall be based upon a democratic vote. All Committee members, with
the exception of the Chairman, shall be eligible to vote. In the case of a tied
vote the Chairman will be entitled to a casting vote.
6.6 The Committee shall be able to
elect honorary members for a period of one year on an annual basis.
6.7 The Committee reserve the right
to refuse membership to anyone applying to join The Society. The Committee
similarly reserve the right to terminate membership of any member during the
course of a season should that member have broken the rules of the Society or
brought discredit upon the Society. In the case of termination of membership no
refund of membership moneys will be made.
6.8 No member shall be expelled
under Rule 5.11 except at a committee meeting convened especially, if
necessary, for the purpose. The member may appear, or be represented, at the
meeting if so desired. The member shall be given 14 days notice.
7.0 Financial
7.1 The financial year of the
Society shall end on the 30th November in each year.
7.2 The Secretary shall present a
set of accounts at the end of the financial year. The Society auditor shall
examine these accounts and confirm in writing that they are a true and accurate
record of the Society’s finances.
8.0 Membership
8.1 The Society shall consist of the
following classes of member's:- Senior, Concessionary (Over 65 & Disability
Pensioners), Junior, Joint (Husband & Wife or civil partner), Honorary and
Life.
8.2 Senior membership is open
to any candidate over the age of seventeen as at 1st June.
8.3 Concessionary membership
is available to any candidate receiving Disability Pension or over 65 years of
age on the 1st June.
8.4 Junior membership is available
to young persons over the age of twelve but under the age of seventeen on the
1st June. Children under the age of twelve can fish the Society’s waters free
of charge providing they are accompanied by an adult member.
8.5 Honorary and Life Members are
elected at the discretion of the committee
8.6 All persons applying for
membership must do so using the Clubmate website.
9.0 Subscriptions
9.1 The annual subscription payable
shall be such a sum as the Committee shall determine from time to time and to
be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
9.2 Subscription renewals are
welcomed after the 15th March and before 15 May. This gives
sufficient time for membership cards to be issued before the start of the new
season.
10.0 Annual General
Meeting
10.1 The Annual General Meeting of the
Society shall be held each year to; receive and consider the accounts and
balance sheet prepared by the Secretary, and approved by the Auditor.
Additionally, the meeting will elect a President & Vice-Presidents, appoint
Officers, fill any vacancies on the Committee, and consider any resolutions
submitted.
10.2 Notice of the date, time and
place of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to each member of the Society
at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.
11.0 Extraordinary
General Meeting
11.1 An Extraordinary General Meeting
(EGM) may be convened by the Committee or on a requisition in writing signed by
not less than ten members of the Society which states the purpose for which the
meeting is desired. No other business other than that for which the meeting was
called shall be discussed at the EGM. An EGM is the only occasion (other than the
In the
event of an EGM not less than 14 days notice in writing together with details
of the business to be dealt with shall be sent by the secretary to each member
of the Society.
Rules
12.0 General rules
relating to conduct
12.1 Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a
proper manner and refrain from causing any damage whatsoever to property,
disturbing game, wildlife or farm animals and shall in no way interfere
with another members sport.
13.0 General rules
relating to our waters
13.1 The following rules apply to all
the Society’s waters:
13.2 Members and their guests shall
walk only on the banks and not across standing crops. All gates to be kept shut.
13.3 Do not discard any litter at the
water. Members should remove any existing litter that is found in the immediate
vicinity of their swim and take it home. Failure to do so could result in
expulsion from the Society.
13.4 No dogs, radios, glass bottles,
or metal cans are allowed.
13.5 The unauthorised transfer or
removal of fish and plants is strictly prohibited. Any member found breaching
this rule will be subject to expulsion from the Society.
13.6 Camping and the lighting
of fires are not permitted.
13.7 Members are required to carry a
valid membership card and rod licence at all times when on the Society’s
waters. If requested, membership cards are to be produced for inspection by a
bailiff or another member of the Society. Failure to produce this document will
result in the angler being asked to leave the water.
13.8 The use of any
unauthorised kind of firearm is strictly prohibited.
13.9 No member shall occupy more than
one swim or fish beyond the confines of the swim or cause annoyance to other
members or leave unattended any rod that has been cast out with the intention
of catching fish.
13.10 Members may have a maximum of two
rods in use at any one time.
13.11 Keep nets shall not be used
before 1 October, except for use in competitions (see Rule 15.6).
13.12 All coarse fish to be
returned to the water unless stated otherwise herein.
13.13 The use of live bait is NOT
permitted.
13.14 In order to discourage
vermin, bait of any kind is not to be deposited on the banks or discarded into
the water.
13.15 All vehicles to be parked
in designated parking areas only.
13.16 Night
fishing, i.e. before dawn or after dusk is not permitted on any of the Society
lakes with the exception of Shovelstrode.
13.17 Any
official notice posted on notice boards at individual waters must be adhered
to.
14.0 Close Season
14.1 The close season for coarse fish
shall be from the 15th March to 31st May inclusive. At Readers Lake the close
season will be from 1 April to 31 May inclusive. At Hedgecourt Lake, its feeder
stream and Eden Brook the statutory close season applies; i.e. 15th March to
15th June inclusive.
14.2 The close season will not apply
to any commercial water where the Society has negotiated fishing rights for
members for the period 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Members must be in
possession of a valid membership card and rod licence when fishing at these
waters and produce these if requested..
14.3 The fishing seasons will
be at the discretion of The Committee. Any notification of changes will be
given at the annual general meeting.
15.0 Competitions &
Trophies
15.1 All competitions are to
rules promulgated by the Angling Trust.
15.2 The competition venue may
be closed to all members, except those competing, from two hours before the
start of the competition until all competing anglers have cleared the water
after the competition.
15.3 The competition secretary or his
representatives shall be entitled to change the venue of any competition at
short notice.
15.4 All members are eligible to take
part in Society matches.
15.5 No person shall take part in a
competition or represent the Society in external matches unless the
subscription fee has been paid.
15.6
All competitors taking part in matches held on Society lakes shall use two keep
nets. One net shall be used to retain Carp, the other to retain all other
species caught
15.7
Disputes must be referred to the match secretary or his designated deputy. The
match secretary or his deputy decision shall be final.
15.8 Registration of specimen
fish for the Society records must be made in writing within 10 days of the
capture to the Secretary with the name and address of one witness. (Not
necessarily a Society member). If a member catches ‘Specimen Sized’ fish (as
per Society’s Club Record Fish List) report same to Competition Secretary or Secretary.
15.9 The Knock out Competition
When held this competition is
open to all Society members and is basically a series of matches between pairs
of anglers. The organiser (see membership card) will make the draw for each
round. A draw is made to determine the “home angler” & who shall be the
“away angler”. Drawn on a round by round basis with the date [subject to rule
(a)], venue, time & duration of match to be mutually agreed. Winners from
each round meet in the next round until a final pair meet. The rules are:
(a)
The cost of entry is £2 & the closing date for entry is 31st May.
(b)
All matches shall take place on Society waters only.
(c)
The draw will be made after the closing date & all anglers will receive a
card.
(d)
The first round must be completed by 31st July. Thereafter one round per month.
(e)
If round one has an odd number entries will be adjusted with byes to ensure an
even number go forward to the next round.
(f)”Home”
angler is responsible for informing the “away” angler of the match & venue also for retuning the result card
to the Match Secretary, although a telephone confirmation of the result is
acceptable.
The “away” angler has the choice
of swim.
(g)
If the result has not been communicated as given in (f) at the start of the
next round the “home” angler shall be disqualified & the “away” angler will
enter the next round.
(h)
The entry fee will be divided 60% to the winner & 40% to the loser.
16.0 Guest Tickets & Exchange Permits
16.1 A member is allowed to take
up to two guests on specified Society waters in any one day. The member shall
be responsible for the guest’s behaviour and their compliance with the rules of
the Society.
16.2 Guest tickets must be
bought in advance. They are available via the individual members Clubmate page.
16.3 Some exchange permits may be available to
allow members to fish other approved club waters. If so, exchange permits are
available from 1st July. Enquiries regarding exchange permits can be
made to the Secretary.
The following
rules are in addition to all other Society rules.
17.0 Rules
Pertaining to Hedgecourt Lake and Feeder Stream
Hedgecourt Lake and its feeder
stream and the areas of wetland that border the site have been declared a ‘Site
of Special Scientific Interest’. Angling is listed as an activity that may be
detrimental to the habitat of the various plants, insect and birds that can be
found there. The Society therefore has to ensure that certain conditions are
met in order to secure continued use of the water. The following rules form the
basis of our agreement with the landowners, Crawley Mariners Yacht Club.
17.1 Members of The Society or
anyone fishing with the authority of the Society shall not remove any fish from
or introduce any fish to the waters.
17.2 Members of the Society or
anyone fishing with the authority of the Society shall not fish from any spot
other than the swims provided and shall not use any waterborne craft.
17.3 The banks and adjoining
land must not be dug for bait nor disturbed for any other reason. Cutting of
trees, bushes, or foliage is not allowed and flowers and shrubs are to remain
untouched.
17.4 All Society members, and
anyone fishing with the authority of the Society shall:
a) be responsible for clearing away all litter whether introduced by them or
not at the position at which they are fishing. Such litter is to be removed
from the area of the lake or deposited in the litterbins provided.
b) not by their action cause pollution to occur
17.5 Camping is not allowed and
no fires to be lit.
17.6 Members of the Society or
anyone fishing with the authority of the Society shall not take or permit to be
taken any animal, radio, air gun, air pistol, or firearm onto the lake or its
surrounds.
17.7 All hooks, line traces in
any form shall be removed from in or around the surrounds of the lake.
17.8 Swimming or wading in the
Lake is not allowed.
17.9 All Society members or
persons fishing with the authority of the Society shall keep to the footpaths,
roads, and way provided or failing this will keep close to the bank. Public
rights of way are not to be obstructed.
17.10
Fishing before 5 am at any time or before dawn and after dusk and on
Tuesdays between the hours of 9am and 3pm is not permitted.
17.11
Glass, plastic, tins or metal containers, other than vacuum flasks and bait
containers, are not to be taken to the venue. Any person found
contravening this Rule may be expelled from the Society.
17.12
Parking of motorcycles, motorcars and any other vehicles is restricted to the
area at the north east point of the lake – previously identified as the
punt/boat launching area. Registered disabled members displaying a ‘Blue Badge’
may park in the layby in Mill Lane. Mill Lane must not be obstructed.
17.13. Any Society member or persons fishing with
the authority of the Society shall not unreasonably interfere with the sailing
of any member of Crawley Mariners Yacht Club or any persons sailing with the
authority of the club or with any person on any adjacent property or land to
which the public or others have lawful access.
17.14. Any member of the Society
or persons fishing with the authority of the Society, upon being challenged and
failing to produce a current membership card or valid permit to fish, will be
required to give their name and address and leave the water unless they can
prove their authority to fish.
17.15.
Casting beyond the limits of the marker buoys is not permitted.
18.0 Rules
pertaining to Readers Lake
18.1
Entrance to the lake is by a locked gate on Hophurst Hill.
18.2 The combination number for
the lock on the gate is given on your
membership card, the gate must remain locked at all times.
18.3 Keep on the path provided, do not walk on
grass.
18.4 Fishing is allowed from
numbered swims only.
18.5
Between 1 June and 30 September, inclusive, of each year keepnets shall not be
used except for matches, when two keepnets shall be used. One keepnet will
retain carp and the second all other species. At other times of the year one
keepnet may be used for both match and pleasure angling
18.6
The use of barbed or micro-barbed hooks is not
permitted
18.7
The use of braid line is not
permitted
18.8 The use of floating baits
is permitted in small quantities only
Important
Pollution kills not only fish
but also your fishing
If you
see pollution on any of our fisheries or surrounding waters act immediately. Failure to do
so could result in death of thousands of fish and barren water.
Follow these
guidelines:
First & foremost ring the
Environment Agency Pollution Control Department on 0800 80 70 60. This is a
24-hour number. If you find the number engaged keep trying until you get
through.
If
practicable obtain a clean plastic mineral water bottle and rinse twice with
water at the scene then fill the bottle with a sample of water.
Mark
the bottle with the time, date and place where the sample was taken.
Include
your name address and telephone number.
If
possible take some photographs, particularly if there are any dead or dying
fish.
Contact The Society’s Head Bailiff or the
Secretary (telephone numbers are given on your membership card), as soon as
possible & hand over the sample.
Pike
Code of Practice
·
If
you wish to catch and return Pike please be aware that the species is not
tolerant of bad handling.
·
Renew
your line regularly and use a minimum main line breaking strain of 12 lbs (lure
fishing 15 lbs is recommended).
·
A
wire trace must be used of minimum length 18 inches, minimum breaking strain 20
lbs (lure fishing 15 inches & 30 lbs b.s.).
·
No
more than two treble hooks per trace should be used, which should be
micro-barbed or barbless except for one bait holding barb per treble.
·
Gaffs
are forbidden.
·
Members
should have long forceps, unhooking mat, wire cutters, and a large landing net
(recommended minimum size 36 inches). A leather glove is also recommended.
·
Try
to avoid deep hooking a fish with the use of effective bite indicators and by
tightening instantly when a bait is taken. Never wait for a second run.
·
Pike
should only be retained in a sack/tube for a maximum of 30 minutes whilst a
camera is arranged.
·
All
Pike must be returned alive.