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Chairperson
No report as such other than to thank those in attendance,
especially on such a cold night.
Secretary
Being one of the founder members of the club, it is always
pleasing to see the club being successful and advancing our
profile. At club level, the small boats section is
continuing to grow under the leadership of Arthur Beechey. We
saw the re-introduction of charter trips primarily under this
section, which from all accounts went down very well.
The coaches
within the club have been active at 2 events – Holyhead Maritime
Festival (a topical issue for certain sections of our membership
– I’ll raise this issue in the correct manner later) and a club
evening.
Several of our
members have been competing in open competitions, the length and
breadth of the country and overseas in Ireland, with noticeable
success. It started in Westport with Gwyn Andrews coming 2nd
overall, losing out by 1 doggie, also winning the pairs and 4
man team with Alan, Fishy and ?. Alan Reid was 4th
overall, also runner up in the overseas section.
Then Rod
Adamson took the top honours at the Anglesey Festival, with a
maximum 200% - two boat wins, John Traynor was 5th on
197.84%! They were also runners up in the pairs.
It is not often
that you congratulate then commiserate someone on the same
breath, but that was the case regarding Colin Orme Thomas after
the YYS competition. The format and calibre of anglers make
this probably one of the hardest events to gain a good overall
result. So when Colin claimed the 2nd overall individual, it was
mixed emotions as he lost out on the top spot by less than
0.5%. Still he was “top overseas angler” and runner up with Rod
Adamson in the pairs, both gaining daily prizes as well.
Not to be out
done (pardon on the pun) Colin has just won the “Gold Pin” at
the recently held EFSA Cod Championships in the Mersey, with
Mark Done taking the runners up. He also won a “Gold medal” for
the pairs and team of three anglers – then won the bloody
raffle!
At national
level, as mentioned in the last newsletter – Gwyn
Andrews, Bob Muirhead and Alan Reid won a Silver medal at this
years Home Boat International out of Arbroath – well done!
We had strong
representation at the recently held World Boat Championships out
of Weymouth. With Gethyn Owen, Rod Adamson, John Traynor and
Colin Orme Thomas as squad members and Arthur Beechey as the
travelling reserve (and a damn good one at that). Out of the 19
competing nations we came 4th position, which is
Wales highest placing to date at this level. Another marvellous
achievement was that of Gethyn and Rod who came 9th
and 10th respectively out of a field of 95 anglers –
well done to one and all.
We have good
representation again next year through Gethyn (top rod in the
qualifiers), John Colin, Rod and myself, with Arthur being 2nd
reserve.
The events are
Home International – Ireland and World Championships – Portugal.
So all in all a very successful year and the clubs profile
definitely enhanced.
Treasurer
No details available at this time.
Fish Recorder
No report as there were no claims submitted.
Press Officer
Elwyn was praised by
several of those present for his regular input into the local
press. He stated that although we do get a mention, his articles
are sometimes altered / shortened by the sports editor –
everyone understood this.
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Fund Raiser
Each
member will be
allocated a set amount of raffle tickets (some were allocated on
the night) for the clubs Spring Draw. Which will take place in
the Holland Arms on February 24th. If we sell the
entire batch, we will raise a profit of £1500.00, so it’s
important that everyone sells as many as possible. The matter of
payment of the printing costs was raised, Rob took charge of the
invoice and would duly pass it on to Gethyn for Stan to be re-imbursed.
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Small Boats Organiser
The
next match will be the clubs Fur + Feather on December 18th
in the Menai Straits, fishing onboard 2 of the Starida boats.
Could everyone bring along a small prize no more than £5.00 in
value, to ensure everyone gets a prize on the day. There will
be a meal organised at the Holland Arms after the match, when
the day’s results will be announced.
Another date to note is December 28th,
when the club has a friendly challenge match (if there is such a
thing) arranged against the Colwyn Bay club. It will be general
fishing and 9 anglers from each club, weather conditions will
decide whether the venue be White Beach or the Straits.
Next years dates and venues will be arranged
shortly. Further training courses will be set up for those who
wish – VHF Training and Power Boat courses.
Could the club enquire to see if we can have a
club discount from Anglesey County Council for boat launching,
as Porth Y Wrach has a £10.00 per launch charge! (Sec making
enquiries).
It was felt that as the section tends to have sub
meetings to keep matters on an even keel, liaison officers
should be elected – Dave, Elwyn, Liam and Owie.
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WFSA and Regional matters
At
present the regional meetings have been suspended due to poor
turnouts by clubs / their representatives, hopefully that may
change in the New Year. The proposed marine nature reserve
in the Menai Straits has been quiet of late, but that does not
mean it’s going away. There has been one set up since many a
year around the Schomer Island (Milford Haven area) and no
restrictions applied. However recently the Countryside Council
of Wales, tried and thankfully failed, to push through an order
banning recreational angling within the reserve. This is the
same body involved with the Menai project!
If anybody hears about access problems please let
me know – some members raised that access at Pwllfanogl would be
stopped due to a fence being erected. An unknown person
said as it was private land they had every right to do so.
(Enquiries are ongoing to verify this statement).
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Coaching
The secretary commented
that a good feedback came from the club evening and asked Alan
(one of the coaches involved) to pass comment. He said it was
well attended and agreed in seemed to go down well, backed up by
several members present. It was agreed to run another next
year, with Alan, Wyn and Gwynie on duty. Needless to say
the Holyhead Maritime Festival coaching event was discussed in
much more detail, but to condense matters I will list the main
areas of concern.
Rob – If there
was an issue, why was it not brought up with the relevant
people, instead of being raised outside the club on several
occasions. Even during the small boats competition in Ireland –
why bring it up there (which nobody denied)?
Alan – As the
club had not had a meeting recently some thought it best to wait
until the next one.
Action Point – As stated on the
night by Rob, the membership are the club so they can request
the secretary / chairperson to call one at any given time to
discuss matters instead of them festering – also the correct
format to follow!
Alan – When did
the club have a meeting to past involvement with a business and
spend club funds.
Rob – No meeting
took place, but then again advance notification was enclosed in
the AGM minutes - update sheet. It came apparent on the night
that several members never received their copies for whatever
the reasons.
Action Point – Sec to post them
direct or e-mail if possible, Arthur offered to save postage
costs by photocopying / distributing minutes himself and liase
with sec – all agreed.
Rob – No club funds were used what so ever, the money used to
purchase coaching equipment came via the remaining balance of
the grant Gethyn and myself applied for in the club last year.
He highlighted that Arthur correctly pointed out at the AGM the
said outstanding grant funding be utilised for it’s purpose
ASAP. This is what we did, so what exactly was the problem.
Dave – Who was able to participate?
Rob – The event was open to juniors across the board, as
publicized in the Chronicle, Bangor and Anglesey Mail and Daily
Post the articles highlighted the event and gave contact names /
numbers (unfortunately this was not seen).
Action Point – Either call a
meeting or send out a newsletter to highlight any such events in
the future.
Arthur – Was not happy that it came across he was the organiser
for the shore section, which was definitely not the case.
Rob – We never said you were, regardless of whatever anyone else
said or thought. I reminded Arthur of a phone conversation we
had at the onset, when he said he would take charge of
organising a shore section and also in list the aid of 2 other
club coaches (Alan and Wyn). Unfortunately I never followed this
up to see that was the case.
Wayne – Questioned why should “My Way” to receive so much free
advertising and publicity on the back of the club name?
Rob – Pointed out that initially Gethyn was approached by the
coastguard, as a Holyhead based business, whether he would like
to organise something to compliment the Maritime festival. He
thought of running a 1-day coaching session onboard.
"My Way” for 6 juniors and asked whether I would be interested.
So at this stage it had nothing to do with the club!
It
was at that point I thought it would be good for the clubs
profile if ABC –SAC got involved, Gethyn agreed straight away
and we saw no problems, 6 juniors – 3 coaches from within the
club (Gethyn, Nick and myself) more than ample ratio. Later I
had the conversation with Arthur and it opened out further club
involvement to include a shore section. With the same ratio, the
6 juniors onboard would swap to the shore in the afternoon and
vice a versa. Club coaches were Arthur, Mike Flynn and Gareth
assisted, along with Trish as we had several females.
The clubs liability was never in doubt as Gethyn / Trish
produced a marvellous booklet – no mention of G.O Angling or “My
Way”(shown at the meeting) covering agenda for the day,
everyone’s responsibilities - parents / guardians and
children’s, also that of the clubs.
Yes, Gethyn and “My Way did get a mention in the press, but I
don’t think he had a booking off the back of this and more to
the point lost a days booking £250.00. Remember he was a sponsor
the same as Malcolm in ABC –Gallows point (free bait) and Stenna
Line (usage of breakwater), no one raised issues about the other
two. Whilst any good publicity does no harm, he is already one
of the most successful skippers in north Wales (bookings to
prove so) and most of his trade comes outside of the area and
repeat bookings due to the package he provides.
Rob – Pointed out that untruths were being banded about
concerning equipment purchased by the club being onboard “My
Way” and being used by his anglers. Totally incorrect, the 6
rods and 6 reels are in my attic, were they went straight away
after the event (I cleaned them first)!
Rob – If some of the coaches wished to be more active, he
suggested they refer to his secretary’s report at the AGM, by
making themselves available to the junior section, which
unfortunately never materialised.
Rob – I
think it fair to say that all those juniors who attended enjoyed
their “introduction into angling” and went away with a smile on
their faces plus a certificate as a keepsake (care of Gethyn and
Trish). As a club we also benefited from the good publicity, it
definitely raised our profile and hopefully encouraged juniors
into the sport we love – possibly as future junior members!
