About Barnstaple and District Angling Association
Our club was formed on July 15th 1941. The first meeting was held at Rackenford House, Boutport Street, Barnstaple.
The original founder members’ were Dr. Richard Harper (President) a well known GP in the town at the time who was known for his good works in assisting the health and well being of the town’s poor . The Harper Ward at our local hospital was named after him. Chairman was H.S. Joyce. A local bank manager and author of several fishing books. ‘By Field & Stream’ , ‘Holiday Trout Fishing’ and ‘A Trout Anglers Notebook’, plus many articles in ‘Game & Gun’ and ‘The Fishing Gazette’ .
Further founder members of the committee were Vice President’s Dr. HC Jonas and Mr Eric Taverner. Secretary Mr R. W. Hunt, Treasurer Mr J. Dick. The committee were Mr W. Thomas, Mr C. Cockram , Mr J. Trapnell, Mr W . Beer, Mr H . Guillaume and Mr G.Gale. The club’s auditor was Mr W.Thomas.
The club’s President’s over the years have been,, Dr. R. Harper 1941-1965. John Pitts -Tucker 1966-1972, Dr. T.G. Barlow as joint with John Pitts -Tucker until 1981. Dr. T.G. Barlow 1982-1984. Dr. A.J.B. Edwards 1985- 1995. J.Penny 1996-1998. M. Oerton 1999 to present day.
Life Membership had been awarded in the late 80’s to Mr & Mrs Wray for their sterling work on all matters relating to help run the club.
The aims of the club were, “To promote interest in all forms of fishing , especially amongst the youth”, “To acquire the rights of fishing waters ” and “Generally to promote the interest of it’s members”. These aims are still followed today.
Club’s fishing waters
Following these aims the club acquired the rights to fish our Newbridge waters , which the committee and members were able to purchase outright on the 11th August 1963 . The ownership of the beat remains in our club today.
At this time a section of the river Yeo was rented for members, Sadly, due to housing developments and fish farming, the river declined, so the beat was relinquished by the club .
Coarse fishing .
In the 1960’s, the club had the lease for ‘Lake Pond’ . In those days junior competitions were run with near 20 or so very keen youngsters s turning up on a Saturday morning. Prizes given by local tackle shops. The Wray family were instrumental in organising these matches and were awarded life membership of the club for their hard work. The pond at that time was fished by many members long before the increase in commercial waters, as it is now. Sadly eventually the pond was sold, so the club lost the use of it.
The club went on to rent a few more local ponds , Venn, Bestridge &and Chapleton . However, the one that stood out was South Aller Lake acquired in the 70’s which is still our coarse fishery to this day .
Times change, members pass away their names still engraved on the old club cups. These members I personally remember as being the club stalwarts and helped when I joined as a youngster . Jim Penny, Jim and Betty Parkin , Ron and Nancy Francis, Charlie Howard , Ernie Long, Claude Pugsley, Jack Castle , J Davey , Peter Woods, D. Slader, Taffy Slee, Jim Parkes, & Des Cockram. There were many more whose names escape me although I must mention my fishing companion over the years the late Bob Keating, our then Vice President.
The Committee
John Webber
Sheridan Toms
01598 710857
Jim Crawford
Colin Ashby
Don Hearn
07779619042
Alan Jump
Matt Kingdon
Matt Cooper
Get in touch
If you’d like to learn more about our club, membership or anything else, please get in touch.