Basingstoke Canal Angling Association

BCAA AGM 2007

The 17^th BCAA Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 18^th October, at the Mytchett Community Centre. The meeting was attended by delegates from 18 of the 29 affiliated clubs

The Chairman, Mr. Graham Smith, welcomed all of those present and noted the apologies for those who could not attend.

Previous AGM Minutes

The minutes from the previous AGM (2006) were reviewed and were duly accepted without amendment.

Executive Reports

The Chairman and the other Executive Committee members then provided each of their respective reports for the year.

Graham Smith remarked upon the fact that a number of the Executive Committee had been newly-elected at the previous AGM (2006), and had grown into their respective positions during the course of the year, with a good deal of help from the long-standing members.

Unfortunately, at the time of the 2007 AGM, the BCAA once again found itself with neither a Match Secretary nor a Fisheries Officer in place on the Executive Committee (although candidates for both positions were duly elected – see below).

Mr. Jeff Bunch, the BCAA Head Bailiff, lamented that a number of cases of 'anglers' fishing out of season had been reported during the closed season (March 15^th to June 15^th inclusive, every year), and some disturbing reports had been received of 'anglers' catching and removing fish from the canal. Jeff advised that he and his team of bailiffs did their utmost to combat these types of incidents, but greater numbers of reliable, diligent bailiffs were needed to police the canal. Jeff gave an open invitation to anybody who might be interested in becoming a bailiff, to contact him for further information.

Election Of Executive Members

Two new members of the BCAA Executive Committee were elected at the AGM. These were:

Fisheries Officer

Mr. Richard Power, who had been working with the BCAA as the co-opted Health & Safety Advisor throughout the year, was elected as the new Fisheries Officer for the BCAA.

Match Secretary

Mr. Chris Mason was elected as the new Match Secretary, taking over the position left vacant by Mr. Andre Grandjean last year, after some 30 years service to the canal angling association.

Election Of Trustee

A new Trustee of the BCAA was also elected at the AGM.

Mr. David Ashburner is a retired officer of HM Armed Forces and a long-serving committee member for the Aldershot Garrison Angling Club (AGAC). As such Mr. Ashburner has also been a long-standing delegate to the BCAA on behalf of the AGAC.

Mr. Ashburner has filled a number of committee appointments within the AGAC, including having been the Chairman of the club for over 10 years.

Mr. Ashburner was welcomed as a new Trustee for the BCAA.

Changes To Association Rules

A number of changes to the association rules were considered and voted upon. These included the following changes:

Night Fishing

From the start of the 2008 season (16^th June 2008), it will not be necessary to purchase a night fishing permit. Anybody holding a Full Season Permit will be permitted to fish at night (subject to certain restrictions detailed in the permit/handbook).

Note that any person wishing to fish at night MUST hold a Full Season Permit.

Use Of Bloodworm On Matches

Bloodworm and Joker will be permitted as an authorised bait (half-kilo 'match-pack' only) on all BCAA Open Matches and Club Matches, for the period 1^st October 2008 to 14^th March 2009.

The usage and effectiveness of the bait will be monitored, as will the effect of its usage on general fishing activity during the period.

Permit Fees

An increase to the BCAA Club Affiliation Fee was approved. For the 2008 season, the fee shall be £4 per club member (increased from £3).

An increase to the BCAA Individual Member Fee was also approved. For the 2008 season, the Full Season Permit Fee shall be £22 (increased from £20).

Similarly, the Concessionary Full Season Permit Fee for the 2008 season shall be £11 (increased from £10).

Recognition Of Service Awards

Recognition Of Service Awards were presented at the meeting to three enormously respected gentlemen who had given tremendous service to the BCAA and its affiliated clubs over long periods of time. More details can be found on the BCAA Recognition Of Service Awards page.

Mr. Peter Emery – Former Chairman of the BCAA (Still serving as BCAA President)

Mr. Andre Grandjean – Former Match Secretary and former acting Secretary of the BCAA, having given some 30 years devoted service.

Mr. Dave Wright – Treasurer of the BCAA for over 15 years, and still Treasurer at the 2007 AGM.

All three of the above continue to be Trustees of the BCAA.