Bideford & District Angling Club
Terms & Conditions



BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB

 

CLUB RULES.

 

1. Name. The name of the Club shall be “THE BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB”.

2. Objects. The objects of the Club are to promote and foster the activities of both sea and freshwater angling. The Club is not established or to be conducted for profit and the income whence so ever derived shall be used towards the promotion of the objects of the Club and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly to the Members by way of dividends or bonus or otherwise. Nothing contained in these Rules shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable or proper remuneration to any officer of the Club or member in return for services actually rendered.

In the event of the dissolution of the Club, any assets remaining after the satisfaction of all debts any liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to one or more of the following approved sporting or charitable bodies:

 (a) A registered charitable organization(s).

 (b) Another Club which is registered CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club).

 (c) The sport’s governing national body for use by them for related community sports.

3. Trustees.

 (a) There shall be no more than four Trustees of the Club. Subsequent appointments of trustees shall be by the Committee.

 (b) Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation.

 (c) All property of the Club, including the main savings account (except business specific accounts which shall remain under the control of the Treasurer), including leases and fishing leases shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with as the Committee shall from time to time direct.

 (d) The Trustees shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Club against any risk and expense incurred by them in pursuance of their office.

4. Membership.

 (a) The Club shall consist of the following classes of Members:

         (i) Fishing Members, Male or Female (Voting)

         (ii) Junior Members (Non-Voting)

         (iv) Honorary Members including Life Members (Voting)

 (b) Membership in any class may be limited by Committee subject to confirmation at the next General Meeting.

5. Membership All Classes.

 (a)  Every candidate for Membership of the Club (all classes) shall complete an application form and submit it to the club along with full payment. Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs, or of age, sex or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirement of Angling as a sport.

 (b)  The Club may refuse membership or expel from membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or Sport into disrepute. Appeal against such a decision may be made to the Club’s Members and decided by a majority vote.

 (c)  An expelled member shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership but shall remain liable for any dues or debts to the Club which became payable or were occurred before the date of expulsion.

 

6. Junior Members.

 (a) Junior Members are those under the age of eighteen years on the 1st January of each Club Year and will remain as a junior for that year, with the proviso that only juniors aged 16 or under on the 1st of January of each club year, are eligible to fish junior competitions during that year.  

 (b) Junior Members shall have no vote at a General Meeting.

7. Honorary Members. Honorary Members may be elected at any General Meeting of the Club for such a period as the meeting shall determine upon a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting.

8. Subscriptions. It shall become payable on application which will be discussed and agreed at AGM.   

9. Officers.  A President, Vice-President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting after being proposed and seconded and indicating their consent. Nominations for these offices must be sent to the. Secretary at least 21 days prior to the Annual General Meeting together with the proposers and seconder’s names and membership number’s duly signed by both.

 

10. The Committee.

 (a)  The Annual General Meeting shall also elect a Fish Recorder, Tarka swims manager, Coarse Match Secretary, Boat Section Secretary, Game Section secretary and Karen’s lake Secretary and also a webmaster. These and up to Six Fishing Members Male or Female shall be Members of the Committee.

 (b)  The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to two Members and may, at their discretion, invite any person, whether member or not, to attend any Committee Meeting.

 (c)  The Members of the Committee shall retire from office at the Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election together with any other candidates proposed and seconded and indicating their consent to stand for election.

 (d) Every Adult Fishing Member Male or Female, Life Member and Honorary Member shall be entitled to vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled, and in the case of two or more candidates receiving an equal number of votes the Chairman of the Meeting shall have a second and casting vote.

 (e)  The Committee shall meet at least once a month to examine the accounts and arrange the affairs of the Club. Each meeting will require a minimum of seven committee members present to form a quorate meeting or 40%. The meeting will be chaired by the Chairman of the club, or the next available senior committee member in his absence. Minutes shall be taken of every meeting, and kept in order by the club secretary.

 (f)  A Member of the committee may resign his or her post at any time by suitable notice in writing to the main committee. All resignations will be dealt with under its own merits, and a hand over of information will be carried out prior to full resignation.

11. Byelaws.

 (a)  The Byelaws set out in the Appendix to these Rules and any Byelaws made under paragraph (b) shall be binding upon Members until repealed by Committee or by resolution of a General Meeting, subject to any amendment made under paragraph (b) of this Rule.

 (b)  The Committee shall from time-to-time repeal or amend all such Byelaws as they deem expedient (provided that they shall not be inconsistent with these Rules) to take effect unless set aside at a General Meeting.

12. The Annual General Meeting.  The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of November each year to receive and consider the audited account and the annual balance sheet prepared by the Treasurer and Auditors. To elect the Officers and Committee and to decide on any resolution submitted by the Committee or under Rule 15.

13. Special General Meeting.  A Special General Meeting may be held at any time that the Committee shall determine, and the Committee shall call a Special General Meeting upon the requisition in writing of any six Fishing Members for a purpose stated in the requisition and upon receipt of a such requisition, the Committee shall call the meeting within forty days of receipt of the same by the Secretary.

14. Notices of General Meetings and Resolutions.

 (a)  Notice of the date, time and place of every General Meeting, stating the last day for submitting resolutions, shall be published in the local press, and or social media at least thirty days before the date of the Meeting.

 (b)  Notice of any resolution to be moved at a General Meeting unless recommended by the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least twenty-one days before the meeting duly signed by the proposer and seconder who must be fishing Members. Any such resolution unless withdrawn, shall be included in the business of the meeting.

15. Proceedings at General Meetings.

 (a) Twenty members (not including juniors) shall form a quorum at any General Meeting.

 (b) At every General Meeting, the President or, in his absence, the Vice-President or in the absence of both, the next available senior committee member shall be invited to take the Chair. All fishing members present shall be entitled to vote, in the event of a tied vote the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

 (c) A majority of all members present and voting shall carry any motion or resolution (see rule 14) however, no club rule may be, repealed or amended on a vote of less than two-thirds of the voting Members present.

16. Interpretation.

 (a)  The Committee shall be the sole authority of the interpretation of the Club Rules and Byelaws, and the decision of the Committee upon any question of interpretation or any matter affecting the Club not provided for by the Rules and Byelaws shall be final and binding upon the Members.

 (b)  In the Club Rules and Byelaws, where the correct permits, the words importing the masculine shall include the feminine and the words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

“Any points that are not covered by the above set of rules will be dealt with by the elected committee incumbent at the time whose decision will be final”.

 

21st July 2022

 

 CLUB BYLAWS

 

1. Committee Members.  Committee Members shall be relieved of their position only if


     (a)  They fail to attend three consecutive committee meetings without good reason.

     (b)  They fail to comply with the principles of the Club.

2. Byelaws for Club Organized Boat Trips.

     (a)  A £60 booking fee is paid at the beginning of the season. This is held un till the end of the season, but will not be returned if the member fails to attend a trip they has booked, unless extenuating circumstances agreed by the Club Committee.

     (b)  When a Member books a berth he makes himself liable to the Club for the total cost of the berth booked if he fails to go. This does not prevent the Member finding another member to take his place. The Boat Secretary should be informed of any change made, where he may be able to fill the berth for the member from other members looking for berths.

     (c)  All members go on Boat trips at their own risk and the Club will not be responsible for any loss or damage they may incur.

     (d)  Juniors over 14 years old will be allowed on boat trips if their parents give written consent stating that they do not hold the Club responsible for their safety.  Younger members must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

     (e)  Fish caught on a Club Organised Boat Trip may be weighed and recorded with two witnesses who are Members on the boat if the fish is to be returned alive.

     (f)  Club organized trips must be paid 1 trip in advance.

     (g)  Boat Cups can be won outside of club organized trips. But fish must be weighed on certificated scales with at least 2 witnesses.

3.  Byelaws for Sea Section.

     (a)  The Rules of the SWFSA shall apply in all Competitions.

     (b)  The minimum fish size shall be as laid down by the DEFRA, unless the Club decides on a larger size. Should an undersized fish from club minimum size list be brought to the scales then the whole bag shall be disqualified.

     (c)  The minimum size for Wrasse shall be 16 inches.

     (d)  Stewards. The Fish Recorder or his deputy shall be responsible for the weigh-in.

     (e)  All competitions shall be arranged by the Club (Officials and Committee).

     (f)   At fixed venues Competitions, competitors should meet at appointed place 30 minutes before time of start. Steward shall remain at starting point for 15 minutes after starting time to take late entries.

    (g)  The scales shall remain open for 30 minutes after the end of the Competition fishing time.

    (h)  Competitions at fixed venues shall be cancelled if conditions are dangerous. The decision shall be by a majority vote of the competitors.

    (i)   Pools may be run at Club Competitions for members if they wish, they in no way must be compulsory, and not interfere with the normal entrance fee or prizes.

    (j)  Any report to National or Local Press, Radio or Television concerning the Club shall be strictly by a Club Official.

    (k)  Six entrants shall be the minimum to constitute a senior competition, apart from the 24 hr, Boxing Day and Midweek competitions.

    (l)  Roving Competitions can be run in place of fixed venue competition, entries to these must be made before the day of competition by the stated time and the competitor must not start fishing before the state time. Fish caught must be brought to the stated place of weigh-in (normally Club Headquarters) within thirty minutes of the end of fishing time. All fish should have a label bearing the name of captor attached.

    (m)  All fish caught will be judged against specimen weights and sizes of the Club or SWFSA if not on club list.

    (n)  The Club is a member of the S.W.F.S.A, members can therefore enter any fish above the S.W.F.S.A. weights for specimens in the area of capture.

    (o)  That two rods may be used when fishing Club competitions (unless otherwise stated) and other sea competitions as agreed.

    (p)  3 Hooks may be used between the 2 rods & a Pennell rig counts as 1 hook.

    (q)  That the prize money for the End of Year Competition for those who have fished 10 or more monthly rovers or 24 hour competitions, shall be split 3 ways.

    (r)  Only Two fish per species may be weighed in competitions.

    (s)  Any prize monies not won in the Weekend and monthly rovers, go towards the end of season competition.

    (t)  Fish must be brought to the scales at the stated time for acceptance, clearly identified & not in water. A catch and release policy is encouraged whenever possible, this will be in the form of a photo of the fish along with a photo of the fish scale weight, to the fish recorder or their deputy by the stated time. It is preferable that the captor presents the photo evidence to the fish recorder or deputy in person, unless a reasonable reason is provided, where by notification may be acceptable.

    (u) Personal scales need to be verified against club scales at 6 monthly intervals, before any weight/fish can be accepted (note: bring them to the weigh-in on the first fish caught).

     (v) Catch and release for the following species, Undulate Ray, Tope, Silver Eel, and Wrasse are the only acceptable method.

4.  Competition Rules for Coarse Fishing.

   (a)  All competitions shall be arranged by the relevant Club Officials.

    (b)  All Anglers must fish to Club and individual Fishery Rules.

    (c)  Prizes will be awarded by the stewards in proportion to the income received from the match. In the event of a tie, the prizes shall be equally divided.

    (d)  Four entrants shall be the minimum to constitute a valid competition, Competitions shall be duly advertised. No open competitions.

    (e)  Competitors must strike, play and land their own fish.

    (f)  Competitors must retain all fish in keep nets which comply with fishery Rules.

    (g)  All fish caught are eligible for weighing with the exception for game fish and crustaceans.

    (H) All competitors are to meet at the appointed place one hour and fifteen minutes before the start when the draw for pegs will take place.

    (i)  Competitors must cease fishing at the signal. Should a competitor still be playing a fish hooked before the signal is given, they may be permitted no more than fifteen minutes after the time has been called to land the fish.

    (j)  Competitors are responsible for ensuring that there pegs are clear of litter.

    (k)  Before the starting signal no competitors are allowed to ground bait or loose feed their swim, but will be allowed to wet a line, plumb the depth, test their float, mix and wet ground bait & position their keep nets.

    (l)  The individual weight of each competitor’s catch will be recorded to the nearest ounce rounded up.

    (m)  Each competitor will be responsible for ensuring the correct weight of their catch is recorded by the section secretary.

    (n)  Any complaints should be made before the weigh-in to a club official.

    (o)  Matches will be pegged at the discretion of the steward.

    (p)  Competitors on being drawn may proceed to their pegs

    (q)  Every competitor must fish within one meter of their peg.

    (r)  Competitors to only have one hook baited in the water at any one time.

    (t)  Club teams shall be selected by the Match Secretary.

5. Coarse section & fishery Rules for Tarka Swims.

(a)    Environment Agency Rod Licence and valid membership or day ticket must be carried at all times. And produced on request.

(b)    The use of illegal substances is strictly forbidden.

    (c)  Fishing from platforms only.

    (d)  Barbless Hooks only.

    (e)  No fixed leads or feeders. Safe rigs only. Bailiffs patrol regularly and may ask to check rigs.

    (f)  Maximum Two rods per person. Juniors Under 13yrs restricted to one Rod Only.

    (g)  No rods or poles to be left unattended. Bailiffs will wind in unattended rods if found and the club will not be responsible for any damage caused.

    (h)  No Nut baits.

    (i)   No Keepnets Unless in Club run events.

    (j)  All fish to be treated with care and returned to the water unharmed.

    (k)  Juniors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. ( Juniors must not wander from lake to lake without accompanied adult )

    (l)  Fishing from dawn to Dusk. No night fishing unless approved by coarse, or Karen’s lake secretary, contact details at Lake Notice Board.

    (m)  Unhooking mats must be used when placing fish on firm surfaces. All nets, slings unhooking mats must be clean and dry before use.

    (n)  No litter to be left whatsoever   

    (o)  No Boats. Including bait boats. Unless for organized work Parties.

    (p)  No Swimming.

    (q)  Dogs must be kept under control at all times, any damage due to dog behaviour will be the owner’s responsibility, all dog mess must be cleared and disposed of, off site.

    (r)  No Fires, unless during official work parties. Barbeques must be placed on gravel pathways making sure they do not obstruct other site users. All barbeques must be fully extinguished and removed from site after use.

    (s)  Toilets to be kept clean and tidy.

    (t)  No access to surrounding woodland.

    (u)  Do not destroy vegetation. No interfering with wildlife.

    (v)  Noise to be kept to a minimum. All users must conduct themselves in a considerate and non-disruptive manner at all times

    (w)  No Firearms, unless authorization given by the club committee.

    (x)  Coated braid hook lengths permitted, ensure a suitable strength main line used with this method, recommend minimum 12lb. No lead core.

    (y)  Bideford & District Angling Club do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property.

6. Competitions Rules for Game Section.

   (a)  All Competitions and Rules made by the Game Members must be approved by Committee.

    (b)  Competitions will be on the last Sunday in the month.

    (c)  Competitions to be fished for the first two fish over stock size caught, (Fly only) except on Fisheries where day ticket limit is more than two fish.

    (d)  Weigh-in will be held at the end of the competition, unless previously agreed.

    (e)  Draw to be made for pegs 30 minutes before competition start time.

    (f)  No fishing allowed before stated start time of competition.

    (g)  All fishing to cease at time stated, although time will be allowed to land a fish if hooked before the stated time.

    (h)  Competitors must play their own fish, but can have assistance with landing if required.

    (i)  There will be no catch and release other than on waters with this amenity. Otherwise all fish to be killed.

    (j)  All Fishery Rules and Regulations must be adhered to at all times.

    (k)  Entrance fee for competitions is £1, and will be divided as follows: - 1st 50% 2nd 30% and 20% to go into a Junior Pool.

    (l)  Points for competitions will be awarded as follows: - 1st 10pts, 2nd 8pts, 3rd 6pts, 4th 5pts, 5th 4pts, 6th 3pts and 1point for weighing in.

   (m)  All competitors must be paid up Club Members and must carry a current E.A. License when fishing.

    (n)  Only one rod to be used at any one time and must be attended to at all times.

    (o)  Special consideration must be given to all disabled members.

    (p)  Members must conduct themselves in a quiet and orderly manner at all times. No cause for complaint must be given to other anglers or residents.

    (q)  Complaints must be made to the Section Secretary immediately and made before the weigh-in.

    (r)  Members who have fished 6 or more monthly competitions shall be eligible to fish the End of Year Competition.

    (s)  Venue for End of Year Competition to be voted for by those Members eligible to fish the competition.

    (t)  Anyone breaking these Rules will be reported to the Committee where action may be taken.

These Bylaws may be amended as required by main committee. Any changes or amendments will be reflected in the Master Copy and available for inspection on request. 

  7. Work parties. Anyone attending work parties at the lake site must adhere to the relevant risk assessments and guidelines.

 October 2024.


BDAC  Disciplinary Procedure

If at any time any member of the club including any fishing member, bailiff or committee member wishes to make any complaint about the conduct of any other member, they should in the first instance contact the secretary of the club on (bdac1enquiries@gmail.com) or any member of the committee, who will as soon as practicably possible, pass on to the secretary. The Secretary shall then as soon as practicably possible contact the committee to establish whether a disciplinary meeting needs to be held, if it is thought that a meeting should be held, then the chairman shall call a panel together within 10 days, this panel shall consist of 5 random members of the committee, chaired by either the President, vice president, chairman, vice chairman, secretary or tresurer, and if possible the section secretary involved, any body concerned in the incident cannot sit on the panel, or vote on the findings. 

The panel shall make their decision and report back to the committee for possible sanctions.

If the situation is deemed serious enough, the accused person, can at the committee’s discretion, be temporarily suspended before the disciplinary outcome is decided. Nobody involved in the incident, or called as a witness can take part or vote on the outcome.

The person making the complaint and the accused should be invited to the meeting to give their respective version of events.

Any sanctions imposed by the committee shall be put in writing to the accused, within a week of the final decision, these sanctions can vary from a verbal warning, suspension of membership to a life ban, as seen fit by the committee.

The accused may appeal within a week if any new evidence becomes available.

16th November 2024.

 

 

BIDEFORD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB

TARKA SWIMS RULES

 

  1. Environment Agency Rod Licence and valid membership must be carried at all times. And produced on request.

  2. The use of illegal substances on site is strictly forbidden.

  3. Fishing from platforms only.

  4. Barbless Hooks only.

  5. No fixed leads or feeders. Safe rigs only. Bailiffs patrol regularly and may ask to check rigs.

  6. Maximum Two rods per person. Juniors Under 13yrs Restricted to one Rod Only.

  7. No rods or poles to be left unattended at any time. Bailiffs will wind in unattended rods if found and the Club will not be responsible for any damaged caused.

  8. No Nut baits.

  9. No Keepnets Unless in Club run Events.

  10. All fish to be treated with care and returned to the water unharmed.

  11. Juniors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. ( Juniors must not wander from lake to lake without accompanied adult )

  12. Fishing from dawn to Dusk. No night fishing unless approved by Tarka swims Manager, or Karen’s Lake secretary, contact details at Lake Notice Board.

  13. Unhooking mats must be used (where appropriate) All nets slings unhooking mats must be clean and dry before use.

  14. No litter to be left whatsoever.   

  15. No Boats. Including Bait Boats. Unless for organized work Parties.

  16. No Swimming.

  17. Dogs must be kept under control at all times, any damage due to dog behaviour will be the owner’s responsibility, all dog mess must be cleared and disposed of, off site.

  18. No Fires, unless during official work parties. Barbeques must be placed on gravel pathways making sure they do not obstruct other site users. All barbeques must be fully extinguished and removed from site after use.

  19. Toilets to be kept clean and tidy.

  20. No access to surrounding woodland.

  21. Do not destroy vegetation. No interfering with wildlife.

  22. Noise to be kept to a minimum. All users must conduct themselves in a considerate and non-disruptive manner at all times.

  23. No Firearms, unless authorization given by the club committee.

  24. Coated braid hook lengths permitted, ensure a suitable strength main line used with this method, recommend minimum 12lb. No lead core.

  25. Bideford & District Angling Club do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property.

  26. The lakes/swims may be closed periodically for club events, maintenance, spawning.

    All Gates, including main road gate, MUST be kept CLOSED AT ALL TIMES when entering and leaving the site.

 

 

“Any points that are not covered by the above set of rules will be dealt with by the elected committee incumbent at the time whose decision will be final”.

13th Oct. 2024