Winter Newsletter & AGM

Winter News Letter 2023/24

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Chairman’s Report

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THE AGM IS ON Sunday 14TH JANUARY AT ESSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB AT 11.00AM

 Firstly I would like to thank all of the members for their continued support this year which has been a challenge for everyone. As a club we recognise our members are facing difficult times ahead with increased energy and food costs not to mention the cost of maggots and groundbait!  As a result of our efforts during lockdown we were able to increase membership by allowing members to join online using the website www.doesangling.co.uk

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The new website allows anglers to join the club and pay by Credit Card or by PayPal. This is in addition to the traditional method of filling in an application form and paying by cheque. Alan Mills joined the committee last year and has done a fantastic job of updating the website and bringing it into the 21st century. All of which has resulted in the club being in a sound financial footing. 

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We have also been working hard on the lakes. At Marl Pit many of the roadside swims were unfishable until the water level dropped. As a result we plan to install new platforms on this side of the lake. Following the wet spring months and the long dry summer we have seen rapid growth of the trees shrubs and grass surrounding the lakes. Tony Shirmer and a group of members have been working throughout the summer to keep the swims open on the lakes and I think you will agree they are all looking great. At Welham Mere, Drew Gould and Chris Kelly have also maintained the lake. So many thanks to them. If any of the members would like to help with working parties please contact Tony directly. His number is in the rule book. During the summer the drop in water levels has been extreme for most lakes and unfortunately we had to close Beeleigh top for Matches and ban keep nets again. Fortunately, this was not as bad as last year.

One of the biggest problems this year has been caused by members not taking time to read the rule book.

 

The rules apply to everyone and it’s your responsibility to make sure you understand the club rules.

As a club we are always looking for members who feel they would like to contribute .So if any of you wish to join the Committee please let me know as we have several vacancies.    

 

Lastly, Neil Warren is standing down as Membership Secretary this year after 20 years in the job. Neil has been a fantastic servant of the club and I would like to thank him for everything he has done. I know Neil is looking forward to doing more fishing next year and he would like to offer his best wishes to whoever takes over. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.                                       

                                                              Adrian Fisk 

 

Doe’s Angling Social Media/Website

After a few initial teething problems, and dozens of revisions. The website is now working well. Membership applications can be completed 100% online (Application Form, Photo Upload & Payment). So far 69 payments have been successfully made, with a value of over £4,000. Visibility of the club is improved, and so far over 2,200 different people have visited the website, accounting for 3,600 site sessions. If any member has any ideas as to how the website could be improved, please contact the Website Manager.

 

Facebook – Doe’s Angling Club

The Facebook group was originally a closed group for Doe’s Club Members only. The group is now open to anyone so long as they agree to abide by the basic rules. As a result Membership has increased from 42 members to 65 members. However, the group would benefit from a few more posts. Please let everyone know about your angling successes and disasters. Tips and hints are always appreciated. What did you catch? Where, when, how? Equipment reviews, recommended or not. Wildlife photos from our waters. You get the idea.

 

Facebook – Doe’s Angling Club Matches

This public Facebook group (started by Tony Shirmer) has been a huge success and is a valuable resource. Membership has grown from zero in March to over 70 in November. No doubt helped by numerous posts, including all match results.

                                                Alan Mills

                                           

Sunday Match Secretaries Report     

Once again another year is nearly over. Fishing throughout the season has been really good with hundred pound bags being caught on most waters.

Twitty Fee#2 saw another influx of weed with the water being crystal clear most of the time. However, it did not seem to affect the fishing with a lot of big fish being caught. Twitty Fee #1is still proving to be temperamental during matches but still provided anglers with good weights of between 20-70 lbs.

Beeleigh top lake has been quite low during the summer largely because of the shallow nature of the lake and the run off into the bottom lake. Since the autumn rains the water level is back to normal. The bottom lake has been fishing really well with once again 100lb bags being caught.

The Matches between Doe’s and Maldon did not go in our favour with us losing both home and away legs. On a better note the match between Doe’s and Chelmsford resulted in us winning both home and away. The away leg was at paper mill lock on the canal so well done to everyone who took part. On a personal note I would like to thank all the members who have supported the matches and the club this year.

                                                Tight Lines Steve Root

                                        

Over 60’s Match Secretaries Report

I hope everyone is well and has asked Father Christmas for plenty of new fishing gear. The over 60’s Match Group has met every week and there have been some good nets of fish caught although, it has been a bit of a struggle at times. I would personally like to thank Trevor Johnson for his assistance collecting money and standing in when I have been unable to attend. If you are over 60 and fancy coming along new faces are always welcome and we really don’t take it that seriously.

                                                Neil Kennedy

 

Health & Safety Officer Report

Well, it’s that time of year again, it soon comes around, the summer gear is slowly being put away to make way for winter thermals. The Interclub team continues to represent the club around the county and are currently holding a mid-table position.

I would like to express my thanks to Chelmsford Safety Supplies for their continued support of the club and would encourage all members to either have a look at their website www.chelmsfordsafety.co.uk or visit their shop to look at what they have to offer in their exclusive range of Does clothing.

On the health & safety side we are in good shape with all our policies and procedures regularly reviewed. This year we have had a couple of incidents at the waters that have required us to contact member’s next of kin. As a result we will be asking members to provide contact details for next of kin in case of emergencies. Let’s face it none of us are getting any younger!

 

Thanks Everyone

Stay Safe, Graham Childs