A GROUP of fishermen who have been providing affordable fishing for 70 years are in danger of folding unless they can get new members on board.

The Monmouth and District Angling Society (M&DAS) was founded in 1952 to provide the local community with quality fishing at low cost: their membership rates are the lowest to be found anywhere.

Secretary Peter Brundret told the Beacon that Chairman Peter Hunt voiced his very real concerns regarding the future of the society at their last meeting.

He explained that the threat comes from the imminent retirement of the Treasurer at the 2022 AGM in November, and the planned retirement of the Secretary in November 2023.

M&DAS has a full membership list and money in the bank and can offer fishing on the rivers Monnow, Wye and Troddy.

“We also have three freshwater pools on the Treowen Estate at Dingestow” said Peter.

The officers of the society are a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and the group is run by a members committee.

“Unfortunately, all three officers are well past their retirement date having served the Society for many decades” he added.

“The club is a “no frills - no fuss” organisation and relationships within and without are excellent all round.”

M&DAS needs new blood from younger members wishing to secure their future and willing to take on one or other of these roles.

The Monmouth and District Angling Society was the original idea of Monmouth Solicitor William Vizard. He was supported by The Reverend Canon Arthur Blake, Ronald Ralph Hayward Willcox (at that time the Mayor of Monmouth), Lt Col D G Frazer, and prominent local businessman Raymond Charles Keeling the owner of a number of businesses in the town including a tackle shop. As support grew, additional backing came from local landowner the late Major Patrick Waller of Hadnock Court.

In 1961, the committee, who met to discuss club matters in the Bull Inn Monmouth (re-named the Punch House in the 1970’s) rented the Coarse and Game fishing rights on the River Monnow at Vauxhall Fields from the Haberdashers Company in Monmouth. In May 1987, the Society purchased the fishing rights in perpetuity. This ability to access the river immediately behind the town has proved invaluable to youngsters and the rather less agile elderly.

n 1965, the Beaufort Estate purchased the fishing rights on the River Wye and on the lower River Monnow. The Monmouth and District Angling Society secured the lease of the coarse fishing rights on the Lower Wye, downstream from the main road bridge to its confluence with the River Troddi. The waters on the Monnow from its confluence with the Wye upstream to the Gatehouse Bridge were gifted to the Town as “free waters” and remain so to this day.

Through its close and long standing association with past President the late Major Patrick Waller and more latterly with his son Richard, the Monmouth and District Angling Society has held the Coarse fishing rights on the Upper Wye at Hadnock for 50 years. By the early 1970’s the club had also signed rental agreements with the Dingestow Court and other landowners with fishing rights on almost 5 miles of the River Troddi.

With help from its various military connections with the REME, the first fishing rights rental agreement was secured in 1954 with HM Principal Secretary of State for the War Department. This agreement to fish the River Monnow waters above Osbaston at Vauxhall and Pwllholm stands to this day, although the Secretary of State for Defence has taken over the role of lessor.

Next season, the Secretary has agreed to cover the role of Treasurer on a strictly temporary basis, enabled to do so by the promised support and guidance of the current Treasurer, Alan Llewellyn for one year.

“If no one comes forward to fill these roles and join the Committee, M&DAS will either be put into suspension awaiting developments, or a resolution will be passed calling for the dissolution of the Society. Either situation means that no licences will be issued and there will be no fishing on waters managed by the Society in 2024” said Peter at their last meeting.

An appeal will be issued later this month, to all society members, outlining the gravity of the situation, the implications of a poor response, and the impact of closure on the local community.

“We hold the 2022 AGM on Monday November 21 at The Royal Oak on Hereford Road at 7.30pm and anyone willing to get more involved is welcome” he added.

Or contact the secretary on 01989 770667 or email [email protected].