Some more memories from Committee members…

Another true story from Ray Boden

We had been very lucky with coach trips to fishing venues with no breakdowns, but, alas our luck ran out.

After loading the coach with tackle and two crates of beer for the older boys, we set off for the River Ouse, near York. About 5 miles out from the venue on an incline, the coach slowed down and stopped, due to loss of power. After a quick look round, the driver said “We can either wait for a relief coach which could take up to 3 hours, OR, push the coach onto the top of the incline where you could re-board. I’ll then nurse the coach down the other side and hopefully onto the venue”.

So, with two crates of beer in the boot, everyone, especially the older boys huffed, puffed and pushed the coach to the top of the hill, then we staggered back onboard.

The driver did, indeed, nurse the coach all the way to the venue. He then reported it to base that the coach had broken down just as we entered the parking area of the venue – right next to a pub!

We were all sworn to to the same story!

After the match and a few beers, we returned in the replacement coach.

P.S. It was a lovely sunny day, gin-clear water with very few fish – but, lots of beer!

The memories of our club Secretary, Mark Bowden

I got involved as a Junior at the time we bought Hunters and rented the Dean and the Fir Tree farm pool at Chelford which we let go in the end and instead concentrated efforts/funds on Hunters since we own it.

At the time we had a very active match scene with Championship and presentation night/dance as Ray describes at the old Conservative Club but we had reverted to own cars rather than coaches.

Usual venues were the Ribble, Rudyard, Trent x2, Compstall lodge, Coombs, Kynpersley, Macc Canal, Severn occasionally. It wasn’t unusual to book 30 pegs and fill them with members. This would have been from around 1980.

Stories my Dad & Uncle told me of times prior to this were consistent with Ray’s account. I remember Frank well, he had a tackle shop on Shaw Heath and basically ran everything from what I can remember. A lovely guy who couldn’t do enough for everyone. We dropped out of Stockport Federation about 10 years later,  so we decided to do our own thing with Hunters.

Dave Mathews took on the running of the matches (Frank’s son in law) and we kept Championship going for quite some time but gradually reverted to more local venues and eventually commercials as they became ‘fashionable’ than traditional reservoirs and rivers. During late 90s/early 20s to keep match scene going we joined forces with the ICI club based out of Alderley Park, Phil Hogan played a major part in this. Over time the focus has steadily reverted much more to those who want to pleasure fish Hunters rather than matches and socials but perhaps things coming round more full circle as I sense much more enthusiasm and motivation these days in the membership much of it thanks to fresh impetus from the likes of yourself and Bob.

So yes back in the day it was all about a mutual desire to fish matches which were quite competitive with several real quality anglers (but still had a good laugh). Bob was around during much of the period late 90s too and provided much of the completion from what I can remember.

Our Working Party Officer, Bob Hallworth, recalls

We bought Hunters in the mid eighties. We rented it at first but when the Adlington Hall estate went into probate due to the owner dying without leaving a will we were offered the chance to buy it for around £3000 plus we had to pay any solicitors fees involved. We had the money due to a payout from “someone” who polluted a river we rented (probably the Dean).

When I joined in 1983 there were 6 club matches which counted towards the Championship and 3 other matches each year. We fished matches on the Trent at Sawley and South Muskham every year as they were very popular due to the good fishing. The decline of the river and the rise of commercials finished matches on rivers in the late 90s. As Mark says they were 25 – 30 peg sellouts – all members!!

Stu Drabble, our Chairman adds…

When I joined in 1999 the meetings were still at the old Conservative Club but only just. There were quite a few matches, some on Hunters. I fished Compstall reservoir in one and on a match at Brookside Fisheries at Stretton. 20 fished and only 4 caught. The membership was nearly 60 members – but now, we have more togetherness and fun and laughs now and let’s hope we keep it going!

Why join Windmill Angling Club?

Windmill Angling Club’s membership is simply a group of like-minded anglers. We have the beautiful Hunters Pool at our heart. Hunters is stocked on with Carp, Tench, Bream as well as the many Roach, ensuring a chance for a good day’s fishing whatever the weather.

We are full members of both The Angling Trust, Fish Legal CEFAS (Centre for Environment and Aquaculture Science) and Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI). We  have secure parking via a padlocked gate and have recently taken steps to deter both Poachers and children playing on Hunters Pool, ensuring the calm is only broken by the wildlife around and the fish, enjoying the environment at Hunters.

Our Angling Trust and Fish Legal Member ID is: 85074 – Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) Registration Number is: EW038-P-079R

And, to top it all, the mobile phone signal is very intermittent!