Chairman's Update: September 2025

 

Dear Members,

What an exhilarating August it has been for our Development team! We had an incredible time at the Southdowns show, where we showcased our thrilling fishing activities and engaged with potential new members. The excitement was palpable, and our team did a fantastic job highlighting all our club has to offer!

 

Charity Carp Match

Our recent Charity Carp Match was a highlight, bringing together our talented specimen anglers in teams of two around Coombe Pond, all in support of the Motiv8 charity.

While the carp may have been elusive, with only two caught, the real victory was raising over £600 for Motiv8, thanks to your generous donations! A huge shoutout to Alex Munday for organising this wonderful event—we're eager to make this an tradition supporting local charities!

 

John Clarke Memorial

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the John Clarke Memorial event at Harting Combe on August 23rd. was a touching occasion as we unveiled John's Memorial bench by the pond, surrounded his family. We raised £240 from the memorial match with additional donations, which has been donated to Rowens Hospice. Check out the full report below for match results!

 

Bopeep Update

While Bopeep Pond remains closed for now as we monitor water levels, we're hopeful for improvements with the changing weather. We’ve heard concerning news about poaching activities, so please report any suspicious fishing to us at thepdac@gmail.com.

On the bright side, our application with the Planning Office for improvements has been approved—exciting changes are coming this Autumn!

 

What’s Coming Up This Month

Mark your calendars! On September 6th, we’re thrilled to host the first PDAC & Friends Angling Showcase at Nyewood ponds. This is a fantastic chance to see our club in action learn about our initiatives to engage younger anglers through the Get Fishing programme and the Junior match series.

With outreach stalls featuring Gardiner Tackle, Horizon Disabled Angling Club, The Billy's Lake Project, and more, plus free fly fishing tuition from Frensham Trout Fishery, it promises to be a day full of fun! Don’t miss the tabletop sale for second-hand tackle bargains, and we’re excited to welcome Town Mayor Chris Price during the event.

Free tickets are available on our website—grab a two-hour slot to optimise attendance!

We’re also seeking volunteers to help guide visitors and enhance their experience—let us know if you can lend a hand!

Later this month, the Development team will host the final match in the JCC Junior League series and our last Teach-in session at Harting Combe on Saturday, September 20th. Junior members are invited to join the final match, where we will celebrate all participants with awards!

 

Tight lines until next month!

Steve