CONSTITUTION
The title of the organisation shall be the Astwood Bank Angling Club hereafter referred to as ABAC or The Club.
The objectives of The Club (ABAC) shall be:
To promote and protect the angling interests of all its members.
To stimulate angling amongst its members by organising contests for all sections of membership and team events against local clubs etc.
To rent, lease, purchase or otherwise obtain and provide fishing rights which shall be made available equally to all its members where practicable.
To make waters available to members of ABAC and others with a view to increasing the facilities available for the proper pursuit of angling for the persons whom The Club is intended to benefit.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of ABAC shall be governed by the age of the members and shall comprise:
- FULL MEMBERS - aged over 17 years. Full voting rights.
- ASSOCIATE MEMBERS - Children under 12 years of age with a parent who is a full member. No voting rights.
- SENIOR MEMBERS - members aged over 65 years. Full voting rights
- FAMILY MEMBERSHIP - comprising two Full Adult Memberships and up to two Junior Memberships (aged between 12 and 16 years) living at the same address. Both Adults enjoy full voting rights.
- JUNIOR MEMBERS - aged 12 years to 16 years. No voting rights.
- LIFE MEMBERS - members whose meritorious service to the Club is recognised by the Club with an Honourary Life Membership. Full voting rights
- VICE PRESIDENTS - members whose meritorious service to the Club is recognised by the Club and who are re-elected annually. Full voting rights
- DISABLED MEMBERS - Blue Badge holders, (this or a photocopy) must be presented annually prior to issue of a disabled membership. Disabled non badge holders will treated on a case by case basis at the discretion of the committee. Full voting rights
- STUDENT MEMBERS - Previous Junior Members going on to Higher or Further full time education, under the age of 21 and not earning a wage. Full voting rights.
- NON FISHING MEMBERS – Adult who accompanies an existing member but does not fish. No voting rights.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Prospective adult members will be required to pay a Joining Fee, where appropriate, which will be fixed annually by the Annual General Meeting. Only prospective Junior and Student Members shall be exempt from paying a Joining Fee.
All members will be required to pay an Annual Subscription, based on their category of membership, which will be fixed annually at the Annual General Meeting.
All prospective members will be invited to contribute to a Water Fund which will be used for the benefit of the club at the discretion of the committee and repaid in full. This will take the form of an interest free loan to The Club repayable upon request when leaving The Club.
All persons wishing to join ABAC shall complete an appropriate official application form which shall be placed before the Committee for consideration. The decision of the committee is final.
MANAGEMENT
The management of the affairs of The Club shall be vested in the Management Committee which shall be elected from amongst those categories of members with voting rights at an AGM. All nominations for election to the Management Committee shall be proposed and seconded and voted for in the usual manner according to custom and practice. The Annual General Meeting of The Club shall take place in February and shall be advertised.
The Management Committee shall consist of a Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Membership Secretary together with 12 other members drawn from all voting classes of membership. If more than 12 nominations are received a vote will take place. The committee shall have powers to co-opt members. All nominations must be expressed in writing to the Secretary at least two clear weeks in advance of an AGM.
Members of the Management Committee are required to attend a minimum six meetings throughout the year. Failure to do so will be taken as if they have resigned and they will be disbarred from serving on the Committee for at least the next year. Personal circumstances will be taken into consideration.
The Management Committee shall meet monthly at the Club’s designated Headquarters. All Committee decisions shall be on the basis of a simple majority vote and shall be minuted. All minutes will be available for any member to inspect at any reasonable time.
At the first meeting after the AGM the Management Committee will meet and appoint a voting rights unless they are made a full member of the Committee. They will act in an advisory capacity only.
Match Manager, a Junior Organiser, a Vice Chairman and other post holders as may be deemed necessary; for example a Press Officer and Club Bailiffs responsible for individual fisheries. Delegates to Federations, of which the Club may from time to time be a member, shall also be appointed.
The attendance of any seven members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum.
The Management Committee can co-opt any member of The Club to assist in its duties and has the power to authorise any Member of the Executive Committee to enter into binding agreements on behalf of the Club. Co-opted members shall enjoy no Committee voting rights unless they are made a full member of the Committee. They will act in an advisory capacity only.
An Executive Committee, usually consisting of any three of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Match Manager and any other available committee members, shall from time to time be constituted to attend to very urgent business or formulate policy prior to presentation to the full Management Committee.
An Extraordinary General Meeting of The Club may be called at the written request of thirty percent of the paid-up Members with voting rights or by the Management Committee. Such a notice must be made in writing to The Secretary giving at least 28 days clear notice. Notice of such an EGM must be advertised in the local press or individually to members by post.
All proposed motions must be expressed in writing to the Secretary at least two clear weeks in advance of an AGM. Any proposed rule changes must be subject to a vote at an AGM or an EGM. Any changes to the constitution must be made in writing at least two weeks in advance of an AGM or an EGM and be proposed and seconded by members who have been members for at least three years.
TRUSTEES
a. Where required there shall be no less than three Trustees of The Club.
b. The Trustees shall hold office until death, resignation or removal from office by resolution of the Management Committee.
c. All property, leases and fishing rights shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with by them as the Management Committee shall from time to time direct.
d. The Trustees shall be indemnified out of the assets of The Club against any risk in expense incurred by the discharge of their duties as Trustee and shall be so insured.
e. The Trustees will have the right to call an EGM if they are directed to carry out any action on behalf of the Committee which they feel is not in the best interests of the Club or its Members.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The Chairman shall be elected at The Annual General Meeting each year and shall chair and control the Management and Executive Committee meetings in a proper and orderly fashion.
The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence and keep all minutes, books and other documents. On retirement from office he shall hand over to his successor or the Chairman or President all books and papers appertaining to his office.
The Secretary shall act at all times in accordance with the wishes of the Management Committee.
The Treasurer shall ensure that the funds of The Club are kept in a bank and/or invested in accordance with the wishes of the Management Committee and that no financial liability be incurred. On retirement from office he shall hand over to his successor or the Chairman or President all books and papers appertaining to his office. Auditors- The books and financial records of the Club shall be subject to an annual examination by an independent auditor appointed by the Management Committee.
Membership Secretary shall keep records of all classes of member, collect fees and subscriptions and ensure that all records pertaining to Membership be kept properly and shall be required to account to the Treasurer for all monies paid to him. On retirement from office he shall hand over to his successor or the Chairman or President all books and papers appertaining to his office.
The President - shall take the chair at the annual general meeting when all offices are declared vacant and until a chairman is elected.
EXPENSES
A member can claim bona fide expenses incurred whilst performing duties sanctioned by the Management Committee.
HONORARIA
An Honorarium shall be paid to the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Manager, Membership Secretary and Water Bailiffs at an agreed rate to be determined by Members at the AGM. Full honorariums will only be paid if sufficient funds are left over from the club year, if not the honorarium amounts will be calculated pro rata on funds available from that club year.
DISCIPLINE
All members shall receive a copy of the Club and Match Rules as laid down by the Management Committee and a car identification disc, upon joining the Club. All members are expected to comply with the letter and spirit of the rules.
The Management Committee shall at its discretion, discipline any member who disregards any club or match rules of The Club or is found guilty of conduct which in the opinion of the Management Committee is unacceptable. Only written complaints or evidence shall be considered. Such disciplinary action can include expulsion. Before taking any such action the Management Committee must afford the member in question the right to explain their actions.
The rules set out here are intended to protect the interests of all parties - the fish you catch, your fellow anglers and the landowners we rent our fishing from. Don’t think they don’t apply to you - they do!
If you see another member breaking these rules ask them politely to stop; if they refuse, report them to an official; take their car registration and membership number. They will be dealt with by the Committee.
CLUB RULES
- The annual subscription shall fall due immediately after the AGM, subscriptions must be paid before any member fishes any club water.
- Members children under 12 are allowed to fish free on a casual basis only when accompanied by the Member. An adult member must accompany junior members aged 12 - 16.
2a. Guests are permitted to fish a club water whilst accompanied by a member with full voting rights providing that the correct permit is purchased prior to fishing. The member is responsible for that guest and only one guest per member. - The duty of the Members shall be to protect, as far as possible, the water. Members shall use only designated routes to gain access to the water. Any Member damaging mowing grass, crops, fruit trees or stealing fruit shall be held personally responsible for the same and liable to expulsion from the Club.
- Only conventional tackle such as rod/line or pole maybe used to catch fish.
4a. No standing in the water is permitted at any pool venue when fishing.
4b. Only one rod/pole to be used at any one time on any ABAC water except where stated. Where more than one rod is allowed it means 2 rods, not a rod and a pole.
4c. No fixed lead systems are to be used. - In any controversial matter concerning contests or club matters, the Committee’s decision shall be final.
- All Environment Agency rules must be followed and ALL Members must hold a valid EA rod licence and provide their rod license number(s) on joining or renewing their club membership each year. The club will record the rod license number(s) and may share that information with the EA.
- Members must leave a match venue at least three hours prior to draw time shown on their fixture list.
- Treat the fish you catch with respect and handle them carefully. NEVER use a cloth to handle a fish.
- Enjoy the countryside but please don’t leave litter or discarded line or tins. Take your litter home.
- Close all gates and park without obstructing tracks or gateways.
- Carry your membership card with you and ask anyone else fishing to see theirs.
- Stick to the bait limits where displayed on the notice board.
- No dogs, fires, litter or night fishing (Night fishing permits are available on certain venues).
13a. Members must have been a member for one year before being eligible for a night permit. - Where allowed keepnets may be used, please check individual venue notices as temporary bans may be in place. Only silver fish up to 3lbs in weight are to be kept in a keepnet. No more than 50lbs of fish are allowed in any one net and the fish must not be retained for more than 5 hours.
- Check for any special rules or match bookings relating to the venue you intend to fish before you start.
MATCH RULES
- The annual subscription must be paid before any member is allowed to fish a contest.
- Competitors shall play and land his or her own fish during a contest. All fish and eels can be weighed in except trout or salmon.
- Competitors may wet ground bait, position a keepnet, plumb the depth, shot floats and run them through the swim prior to the starting whistle. Competitors are allowed to position themselves one metre either side of their peg. No tackle or bait is to be thrown upstream of their peg.
- Competitors may have more than one rod set up but may only use one rod, one line and one hook at any given time. Barbless hooks only to be used on club pools.
- Only baits permitted at a venue can be used. Fishing with live or dead fish as bait is not allowed. Spinning or plug baits are not allowed.
- Competitors must fish from whistle to whistle and must not distract fellow competitors during the contest.
- No litter to be left at a peg after a contest.
- Members who put their names down to fish a contest and who do not attend will be responsible for paying any peg fee due, before fishing the next contest.
- All protests must be lodged with the Match Manager within 30 minutes of the end of the contest. His/her decision shall be final.
- All other rules conform to Angling Trust rules. All rules will be strictly adhered to.
- Silver fish must be kept in a separate net to carp. No more than 70lbs of fish are allowed in any one net and the fish must not be retained for more than 5 hours.
NIGHT FISHING RULES
All rules are in addition to existing club rules except that night rules take precedence where they are more restrictive such as rule 2.
The night fishing permit is only valid for Abbots Salford River, Abbots Salford Lake and Woodrow Pool.
- Failure to abide by any of the following rules will result in the loss of night fishing privileges.
- Cars must be parked in the designated parking areas overnight and display the ABAC car pass:
Abbots Salford Lake - Parking area near the bridge.
Abbots Salford River - Parking area near the pump house.
Woodrow Pool parking in the car park. - Vehicles may be driven along banks (except Woodrow Pool) to deposit or pickup up fishing gear and then returned to the designated parking area; however there must not be any vehicle movement along banks after dark.
- No fishing after 11pm on nights where a match is booked on the venue for the following day.
- No fires.
- All night fishing permit holders must carry their permits at all times when night fishing and should check the permits of any one else night fishing.
- Torches and or lights to be used discreetly. Bite alarm volumes to be kept low.
- The sacking of fish is prohibited as is the use of keepnets during the hours of darkness.
- Drunkenness, rowdy or aggressive behaviour to another member or bailiff will result in the loss of night fishing privileges.
- Night fishing permits will carry the members photograph and it is prohibited to loan to anyone else and are non-transferable.