Angling Improvement Fund Helps Society Deliver 50th Anniversary Project

Members of Southwold & District Freshwater Angling Preservation Society attending the Society’s annual general meeting gave unanimous support for the committee to take forward the 50th anniversary project made up of a bundle of improvements to be made at its Reydon fishery site. The project includes the replacement of predator fencing, de-silting and improvements to the banks around Reydon pit 4, similar works to Pit 3 and improving disabled access to Pit 1.

Work has been at the planning and fund-raising stage for some time and despite the total cost likely to exceed £60,000, Chairman Barry Reid was optimistic that the Society and its members would be up to the challenge with work being phased and carried out as funds were in place. Phase 1 is to replace the predator fencing on pit 4 as after 11 years it is in poor condition, despite receiving constant maintenance. To that end, the Society applied to the Angling Trust for a grant to help meet the estimated cost of around £22,000.

The Society was recently told that the bid was successful, with the maximum grant of £5,000 being made towards the cost. The Angling Trust said ‘this project has been supported by an award from the Angling Improvement Fund, which reinvests a share of Fishing Licence income to improvement projects and activities at fisheries. The Fund is administered by the Angling Trust and supported by the Environment Agency.’

Members are obviously delighted to receive the grant with materials having now been ordered and work programmed for the Autumn. The Society Chairman said, “the support of the Environment Agency, through the Angling Trust, has given the whole project a tremendous boost and, combined with funding from subscriptions, donations and match funding we will now be able to accelerate the delivery of the other elements of the project and make our 50th Anniversary one to remember”.

Anybody interested in joining the Society is encouraged to download an application form from the Society website and submit it as soon as possible as although new memberships are offered in May of each year, interest is strong with around 40 people on the waiting list already.

Barry Reid - Chairman