Tuesday, May 12th 2020
Dear Member,
Under section 5h of the Rules and Regulations of BCAA, the Senior Offices of the Association continue to take action and an update is given below:
Angling to Remain Closed on the Main Canal
The Government has categorised angling as a permitted activity only if undertaken as a solitary activity whilst maintaining social distancing. The Committee are currently working with the Council to develop angling guidelines that will reduce risk to a level acceptable by our Landlords. However, at present the proximity of multi-purpose paths make 2 metre social distancing all but impossible on the Main Canal. The Committee will revisit this post June 1st when ‘phase 2’ of the Government plan will hopefully see restrictions further relaxed.
Angling to Partially Re-Open for Members at Hele Bridge and Whalesborough Lake
The Committee has decided that social distancing can be practiced at Hele Bridge (Stock Pond) and Whalesborough Lake. The Landlord has given their consent for angling to recommence , as such these fisheries will re-open with effect from 6am Wednesday 13th May, but with the following temporary changes to the BCAA regulations:
- Strictly Members Only (No Day Tickets will be Sold)
- Fishing only from sunrise to sunset (as per published times) To clarify this point, no night fishing is allowed.
- No bivvies or shelters (other than an umbrella) may be erected.
- No Fishing within 15 metres of another angler.
- No keepnets or carp sacks
- Anglers to be within arms reach of their rods at all times.
Please note: The Whalesborough Café car park is closed. Please park in the Hele Bridge car park or on the old A39.
Membership Renewal
The 2019-20 membership season has been extended to 31st August 2020. Your current membership will therefore continue, at no extra cost, until that date. Arrangements for 2020-21 membership renewal will be communicated to members in July.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting remains deferred to a future date when government advice allows our members to gather safely to conduct business.
Match Fishing
All matches remain cancelled until we are advised by the Angling Trust that it is safe to recommence them. We will update and publish a revised fixture list when able.
Please follow the advice of the Government and use common sense when angling under the new regulations. If we receive complaints of abuse then our Landlords will undoubtedly take a dim view and we risk losing our right to fish the canal.
The Committee will review these measures in early June and issue a further communication as and when but no later than the second week of June.
Chairman BCAA