Over 100 joined the Trust at the Carp Society’s winter show at Sandown

It’s been a busy but rewarding few days working for the cause and no time wet a line. Last Thursday I attended a presentation by Natural England on the plans for the new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) with my colleagues Mark Lloyd and David Mitchell. The Angling Trust has made it crystal clear that while we support the principle of MCZs we will oppose any unreasonable proposals to exclude sea angling from the vast majority of these areas. Angling was never intended to be heavily restricted as part of the Marine Act – I know because I helped put the bill through parliament and secured commitments from the minister at the time. However, we intend to remain vigilant to ensure there is no unwelcome ‘mission creep’.

Thursday night saw me returning to my Lower Thames roots as the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Thames Angler’s Conservancy. The TAC are a great bunch of guys who came together to campaign against the regular bouts of pollution from London’s combined sewer overflows that hit the tidal Thames almost every time it rains. I work closely with Chairman Dave Harvey on the Thames Tunnel Now coalition in support of the proposed new interceptor tunnel that will remove up to 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage from London’s river every year. It was a great evening and a good few anglers took membership forms away to join the Angling Trust.

One of our most valued supporters is David Mannall, boss of the carp society, and we always have a great time at their winter show at Sandown Racecourse. Despite the recession we signed up 110 new Angling Trust members over this weekend and had many of our sports top stars pay a visit to our stall to show their continuing support for our work.

We are so lucky to have a team of dedicated volunteers led by membership manager Will Smith who help staff the Angling Trust stalls at shows up and down the country. I spent most of Saturday at the Carp Society show and did an appearance at a thoroughly enjoyable forum with Ali Hamidi of Korda, Julian Cundliff and top carper and Angling Trust ambassador Terry Hearn.

It’s great to find so much support out there but it doesn’t count for much unless we can turn it into increased membership. If you are not a member already do please join up and play your part in helping to give angling a strong voice. Details below.

The Angling Trust – Our Mission:

• Promote angling

• Campaign for anglers’ rights and the environment

• Lobby governments and agencies

• Protect our waterways and marine environment

• Develop angling as a sport for young and old

• Support angling interests

Read more and JOIN NOW at www.anglingtrust.net

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The Angling Trust, Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ

Telephone: 0844 7700616 (Option 1)