January was a tad barren of fishy news to relate in the Blog plus both myself and Chairman Pete McNamara came down with Covid and had to isolate (not together before any rumours start).
Now as we plod through February, I can start adding a few entries.
This year, 2022, is the 60th Anniversary for the club. Founded in 1962 by a bunch of steel erectors looking for something to do after their amateur rugby days came to an end. With their pranks, antics, and total lack of fishing ability it was lucky to survive the first 12 months. But survive it did, and really grew when they decided to invest in their own coach transport. Joining Birmingham Anglers Association further expanded the club’s vistas. The coaches (for indeed there were several) eventually traversed England, Wales, Scotland and the Emerald Isle in search of fish and a good Craic. Things changed over the years, members came and went, the fishing was good and bad but we fisherman always have an excuse for that. We had club waters, farm ponds in Hatton, and currently our River Mersey stretch at Rixton.
With an aging membership and the passing of Chairman Eric Seed and Secretary Peter Hinley the club was at its lowest ebb for years. Howard “Aitch” Jones took on most of the committee tasks and initiated a complete rethink of how we run the club. We pulled our horns in and in 2016 sold off the club coach concentrating on local fishing plus our Mersey asset. Since then, we have levelled off the membership at a number that suits, with some who just fish the river while others participate in a lively match itinerary. I (Phil Newton) have become Secretary and Peter McNamara took on the Chairman’s role.
All this leads us to being 60 years on and how we propose to celebrate it.
We have decided to have two 60th Anniversary Matches. One will be on the River Mersey and the other at Hampton Springs Fishery. Both matches will have a club donated £60 Prize for the winners. The dates have not been finalised yet, but I will keep members informed. Also, the Mersey match will incorporate a BBQ on the bank after the match .
Finally for this blog entry here is this years Match List. Dates are flexible for the River Mersey matches and we may well add more still water venues depending on demand.
Match List 2022
Sat 5th March River Weaver, Winsford Marina.
Sun 3rd April Greenwood Pool
Sat 7th May Hampton Springs (Meadows)
Sun 5th June Dunham Fishery
Sun 26th June Dunham Fishery
Sat 2nd July Hampton Springs (Willows)
Sun 24th July Greenwood
Sat 13th Aug Moss Farm
Sat 3rd September R Weaver, Red Lion, Barnton.
Sat 17th September Hampton Springs
Mersey Matches (Subject to alteration) All Sundays
June 19th
July 10th, 17th, 31st.
August 7th, 21st.
Sept 11th, 25th.
Hopefully I will see you all on the bank.
“Tight Lines”