BDAC

BILLERICAY & DISTRICT
ANGLING CLUB

Serving anglers in Essex for 60 years

Membership Coronavirus update

Firstly thank you to all the Club members who have sent in their renewals which are being processed and sent out at the moment.

To everyone who has not yet decided whether to renew, the Club’s committee has decided that the late renewal penalty will be extended at least up to the end of May.Should fishing not be permitted at that time this deadline may well be extended.

If the Club can’t open its waters on the first of May, it is proposed to extend our season, on most of our waters, until the end of April 2021.

Thanks for everyone’s understanding in these unprecedented times.

Coronavirus Fishery closure

In view of the Government’s latest directionson (23/3/20) during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic, the Club has closed all of it's fisheries until further notice. Should this decision change the website and facebook page will be used to notify members.

March 2020 stocking

Here's some photo's of the netting of Falklands lake yesterday 1,000+ roach and skimmer have gone into Asheldham and 1.000+ into Thoby Wood .

Fishers Green Bittern Hide works

There will be significant disruption along lengths of the river over the next few weeks with the river restoration work and also the building of the New Bitten hide will be undertaken. This is obviously going to raise some comments from a few anglers but hopefully they can see that some short term disruption for the rest of this season will be for the long term benefit to the river.

The River Restoration will include a bank reinforcement on the first bend up from the bailey bridge and flow diverters along the straight between the top car park and pylon bend plus tree and flow diverters at the very top of our section. Some temporary path closures will be needed. This work will only be carried out during the working week so weekends all will be fishable. This part of the works will be for approx. 6 to 8 weeks and starts on the 23rd March. There will be contractors equipment taking up some parking places in both the middle and top car parks.

This work is the culmination of three years of meetings between the Consortium, The LVRPA, the Environment Agency and the contractors, Aquamaintain.

We do appreciate that the final weeks of the River season are not the ideal time for us but we have to take into consideration the Bird Nesting Season and the availability of the Contractor. It’s short term pain for long term gain. Please bear with us over this period.

The new Bitten hide will be take approx 16 weeks for the demolition and construction of the new one. This will result in longer term path closures particularly the foot path from the bitten hide upstream to the path fork from the river around 70 acre which will be an access route for construction traffic. Their equipment will take up some of the public car park by the toilets. Construction traffic will enter by our Gate, cross the River by the Bailey Bridge before going down steam to the construction site. Much of the work will be after the river season has closed but access to this area of Seventy Acres will be denied while work is in Progress.

We have tried to lessen the impact of the work on anglers but are continually referred back to Health and Safety Considerations. Be assured that we will monitor all work that affects the Fishery.

Storm Dennis

With the potential dangers of Storm dennis anyone intending to go out in the next few day should contact the Fishery Officer to find out whether the water is open. Some waters with a lot of trees, Straits, Thoby Wood, Dodds, Shalford, etc are very vulnerable to trees down in high winds.

2020 Special Deal

Join from 1st January 2020 and fish until 31st March 2021 giving you free fishing between 1st January 2020 and 31st March 2020. You can download a Membership form from the membership page

Barleylands and Laundry Lake update

As of 1st November members with night permits for Barleylands and/or Laundry Lake may fish with 3 rods at these fisheries until 31st March 2020 providing they are in possesion of an Environment Agency 3 rod licence.

R Wid

BDAC members can now park in the car park / industrial units at Skeggs farm (NOT the farm yard) this gated site is open weekdays between 6.00am and 10.30pm and at weekends can be accessed via a release button.

Chelmer and Maldon Canal committee representative

BDAC has joined the consortium of clubs that can fish this venue and requires a member to sit on the consorium committee to represent the club. Anyone interested should email the Club Secretary ( secretary@bdac.co.uk)

River Chelmer and Maldon Canal

The club has managed to secure the fishing on on the River Chelmer and Maldon Canal along with Maldon, Chelmsford and Colchester fishing club maps will be posted after the next committee meeting. BDAC rules apply plus the rules for the fishery listed below:

1. Close season applies 15th March to 15th June inclusive.

2. Anglers must not dig swims into bank.

3. No fish to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours and any fish showing signs of distress should be returned immediately.

4. Where a match is advertised, the stretch of water will be closed for fishing from both banks for 2 hours before and 1 hour after the match.

5. The use of live fish baits is not permitted.

6. Anglers fishing for carp and pike must use an unhooking mat.

7. Carp sacks are not to be used and carp over 5lbs will not be retained by any method, except during officially booked matches.

8. No fishing within 30 metres of any lock, nor within 15 metres of any bridge, weir, wharf, landing stage, permanent mooring or other navigational structure.

9. No fishing on that part of the waterway just above Daisy Meadow Car Park and Heybridge basin.

10. No fishing between Paper Mill road bridge and the upstream end of the towpath moorings at Paper Mill.

11. No fishing on that part of the waterway adjacent to Treasure Island at Little Baddow.

12. No fishing on that part of the waterway adjacent to the South Bank between Hall Bridge Heybridge and Heybridge basin.

13. No angler is to be inconsiderate or abusive towards other users of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

14. Anglers must not obstruct the towpath.

Barleylands New Car Park

Please use the official BDAC car park and lock the gate after use.

River Roding, Mitchells Farm Entrance

Following thefts from the farm, the owners have had to install a security gate near to the top of the drive from the A113. Members must ‘phone the company named on the sign at the gate, who will remotely give access. This is applicable both going in and out, when the gate is closed. The company is AGI Holdings, 01708 688105, and members must say that they are members of this Club. Their ‘phone will be answered 24 hours, but remember that this is a 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. stretch.

The car park at Shonks Mill bridge is unaffected, just to remind members that they must link our padlock through the farmer’s padlock, not through the chain.

Dogs at Barleylands

Following some issues with dogs causing problems on the fishery, in future "DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES"

Vacancies

The club has vacancies for a new General Secretary and a Fishery Officer at Hicks Farm. If you are interested please contact the Club Helpline.

Hicks Farm Parking

NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD AT HICKS FARM, ALL VEHICLES MUST BE PARKED IN THE CAR PARKS PROVIDED. ANY MEMBER WHO IGNORES THIS VENUE RULE WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Windmill Lakes

We are looking for Fishery officers to look after our Field and Swan lakes also our Old Island and Long Lakes. Please do not ring the number in the handbook or website as Colin Bell is no longer the fishery officer.

Anyone interested or requires more information please ring 07522 096393

Change to Fishery Rules for Barleylands and Laundry lake (21/5/19)

THROUGH MISUSE, WHEN NIGHT FISHING A MAXIMUM SESSION OF 72 HOURS (or less) AND NO RETURN TO THE FISHERY FOR 48 HOURS.

Willow Mere

We have received a complaint from the Willowmere and Chasewater Angling Club, who have a lake in the Writtle area, not too far from our water, Willow Mere. Members of BDAC are not following the directions in our handbook, but have googled Willow Mere and found the lake of Willowmere and Chasewater A.C. They have accordingly been ejected by the farmer. Please check the directions in the club handbook.

Guest Tickets

Any member who requires a guest ticket should contact the Club’s members' email address at bdacmembers@gmail.com . Just to remind you, they are available on six of our waters, Southminster, Asheldham or Straits Mill, Braintree, Bicknacre, Hicks Farm, Thoby Wood and are priced at £10 per day, paid to the Club’s a/c 20-37-83, a/c no. 90158224, quoting the member’s name and 2018/19 card no., together with the full name of the guest. For Southminster, there is a two-day ticket (6 a.m. on day 1. to 10 p.m. on day 2.) costing £18.

It has been agreed to extend the two-day guest ticket to our other waters which allow night fishing, i.e. Jackletts Farm and Asheldham.
This will allow guests to fish with a member from 6 a.m. on day one until 10 p.m. on day two, for the price of £18. This facility is already in operation at Southminster.

Pike match - Straits Mill 2018

Numbers were a bit down this year possibly due to the weather. We were met with cold winds and heavy rain at the start but this didn't put the fish off as Jay had a jack first cast. The rain soon cleared to leave bright calm conditions. Not ideal but the pike were on the munch with more fish caught than last year. Everyone had a fish or two albeit mostly jacks and it looked like David Wilson would be taking the trophy thanks to the biggest fish of the session at 8lb 14oz. However last years winner Dave Twitchett managed a late fish of 8lb 8oz to add to his tally and retain his title! Herring mackerel smelt and roach all worked plus one on a lure. Once again a very enjoyable friendly match with a few quid raised for charity. Ken Brown.

Barleylands very important notice

The car park gate is to be kept locked at all times particularly at weekends. Please lock the car park gate when you enter and leave the fishery, to ensure only club members have access. Please read the venue rules.

Parking at BDAC venues

Members are reminded of Byelaw 11 "Except where indicated in the Club handbook, all cars must be parked in the official car park where one is provided and all gates to fisheries to be locked after entry and exit. Under no circumstances may cars be parked on roads adjacent to fisheries."

BDAC Privacy Statement

In order to comply with the recently introduced General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union, BDAC has published its Privacy Policy (see below).

Under the terms of GDPR, the club has been required to choose a lawful basis for holding personal data. In our case, we have chosen the basis of legitimate interests. This has a minimal privacy impact, such as contacting a member about their annual renewal.

BDAC Privacy Policy

Introduction of car parking charges at Fishers Green

The non fishery managers at Lee Valley Regional Park have decided to introduce car parking charges at a number of sites across the park in order to generate additional revenue. This is partly due to local authority councillors sitting on the management board deciding to reduce the amount their authorities have to payto run the park. under the act of parliament that set up the park in the 1960s.

Charges will be made using an ANPR camera installation in the two authority car parks (Fishers Green and Hooks Marsh) but not the anglers car parks behind the anglers padlocked gate at Stubbins Hall Lane.

Fishers Green

Cameras: 1^stCamera logs vehicle moment in of all, The 2^ndCamera logs movement of Anglers vehicles: the 3^rd Camera logs all movement of visitors to F/Green Sailing Club, therefore any vehicles not appearing on cameras 2 & 3 will be charged as they will be logged as using the main car park.
Consideration is being given to a secondary/inner car park option inside the anglers gate, however this will probably need a planning application to both EFDC and Natural England, therefore will take a time to process.
Unfortunately all vehicles going into the main Fishers Green Car Park (see 1) will be charged after one hour commencing 9^thMarch 2018
This applies anytime during any 24 hour period.

Hooks Marsh

The park is currently in contact with the Corporation of London regarding the use of the Police Pit Car Park at the bottom right of Fishers Green Lane.
There may be the option to explore the possibility of using a section of Chapmans Field on Left hand side going down Fishers Green Lane however this as in 2) above will require planning permission. Unfortunately LVRP start from this point in time in regard to submission of the relevant planning applications which shall require both assistance and cooperation from others within the Authority.
Finally if you wish to make submission of a complaint, this is where these should be directed: crm@vibrantpartnerships.co.ukTel: 03000 030610

Keepnet Ban

With the exception of official BDAC matches (see handbook) keepnets are banned on all fisheries until further notice, due to a KHV outbreak in Essex. Please ensure landing nets, stink bags, carp mats, weigh slings etc are dried in sunlight before bringing them to club waters.

IMPORTANT: CLOSURE OF GATES

Leaving gates open WILL lose Club waters, and anyone found leaving or entering fisheries without locking our gates WILL face serious disciplinary action from the Committee.

LADIES AND MIXED PAIRS MATCHES

With 9 matches in the season, these matches are held at good venues and are very enjoyable, details of which will be shown on the fixture list in your 2019/20 handbook. Sadly in recent times the number of members attending these matches has dwindled and the Committee would like to advertise these events to all Female members to attend either at the Ladies Matches or with your Partner at the Mixed Pairs Matches.

To book a place at these Matches, details of which are all shown on the 2019/20 fixture list in your handbook, or for any queries please call Nick Mitchell on 07970 606558

Attendance to these matches would be greatly appreciated and would help save the events from cancellation

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