Rules & Constitution 

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CLUB & MATCH RULES:  Revised 3rd June 2024  To be used in conjunction with a valid membership

Preface: The Rules and Club Book have been drawn up by the Committee in the interest of BDAC and its members.  The Committee ask members who find anyone fishing the Club’s waters who is unknown to them to request evidence of membership. This will help safeguard the Club’s waters and will also enable members to become acquainted with each other. 

Name and Headquarters: The Club shall be called ‘The Blandford and District Angling Club’ and its headquarters shall be at the Royal British Legion, Blandford Forum, or such other place as may be decided by the Committee. 

President and Vice-President 

• There shall be a President of the Club elected at the Annual General Meeting. 
• The Annual General Meeting may also elect Vice-Presidents. 

Annual General Meeting 

• The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a date to be notified to Full Members at least 14 days beforehand. 
• An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Secretary on the direction of the Committee, or on request in writing from at least 12 Full Senior Members. 
• Any 12 members present shall form a quorum. 

Officers and Committee 

• The Club shall have the following officers: Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Press Officer, and a Committee, one of which shall be nominated as Vice Chairman, and shall act in the capacity of Chairman in the event of the Chairman being absent. 
• The Officers shall be ex-officio members of the Committee. 
• The Chairman shall have the casting vote only. 
• The Committee may co-opt other members of the Club to fill vacancies or for special purposes. 
• The Officers and the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.  
• Nominations for the office shall be obtained before and during the Annual General Meeting.  
• Each Officer shall be proposed and seconded.  
• Should there be more nominations than vacancies; election by ballot shall decide the issue. 
• The Committee shall manage the day-to-day business of the Club and implement the Rules. They may make regulations on the use of the Club’s water and vary these regulations as and when necessary and all members shall be informed of such changes. 
• Match Committee to comprise of Match Secretary, and four Match Committee members chosen by him/her. 
• Special Meetings may be called by the Secretary providing notice is given to all Committee members. 
• Any Officer or Committee member who fails to attend three successive meetings without reasonable excuse shall forfeit his/her place on the Committee. 
• Question before the Committee shall be decided by a majority vote and where there is equality of voting the Chairman shall have the casting vote. 

Finance and Accounts 

• The Club’s financial year shall commence as designated. 
• The accounts of the Club shall be kept by the Treasurer, who will be responsible for receiving all monies due and for making all payments. 
• The income/expenditure account and balance sheet shall be available for all Members in attendance at the A.G.M. 
• One Auditor shall be appointed for the coming year at each A.G.M. 
• The Auditor shall submit a report on the accounts of the year of their appointment, to the next A.G.M. 
• The Treasurer shall, on termination of their appointment, hand over to the successor all monies, books, accounts and other documents and property of the Club. 

Subscriptions 

• The amount of annual subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting for the subsequent year. 
• The subscription for the year must be paid by the date laid down in each year. 
• A member reaching the age of 65, shall pay a reduced annual subscription as decided by the Club. 

  Discipline 

• The Committee may reprimand, suspend, or expel any member who infringes the Rules of the Club, who fishes for coarse fish out of season, or who so conducts themselves as to endanger the welfare of other individuals or reputation of the Club. 
• No member may be suspended or expelled without being invited to appear before the Committee on a stated offence and given the opportunity to explain his/her conduct. 
• A suspended or expelled member shall not be entitled to any refund of any subscription paid to the Club.  
• Any expelled member may not fish as a guest, or on a Day Ticket until the Committee so decides.    

Complaints 

• Any members wishing to make a complaint must do so in writing within 48 hours of the alleged occurrence.  
• A further 48 hours is allowed for any complaints sent by post. 

Change of Rules 

• A notice of motion to affect any alteration in Rules must be furnished in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days preceding the A.G.M. 

Membership Card & Fishery Rules 

• Members must always carry their membership card. 
• No fish may be caught other than by rod & line. 
• The following fishing seasons shall be strictly observed: 
• Coarse from 16^th June to 14^th March inclusive 
• Trout from 1^st April to 15^th October inclusive 
• Salmon from 1^st February to 31^st August inclusive 
• Sea Trout from 15^th April to 31^st October inclusive 
• Members will return all fish alive.  
• Live baiting is not permitted. 
• Despite grayling technically being coarse fish, in reality they have more in common with game fish; please treat grayling the same as trout, i.e. not in a keepnet and return ASAP. 

Game Fishing in the Coarse Close Season;  15^th March to The 16^th of June 

• Fly fishing only for trout. 
• Lure fishing for sea trout and salmon is allowed from 15th of May in accordance with national salmon bylaws, but only if in possession of a salmon and migratory trout licence. 

All game fish must be returned alive as soon as and with as little handling as possible. 

EA Licence: Buy a rod fishing licence – http://www.gov.uk 

• Children under 13 do not need an EA licence. 
• Children aged between 13 and 16 need a free EA junior licence. 
• All anglers from 17 onwards need an EA licence. 

General Conduct 

• Discarded nylon, plastic bags & litter must not be left on the bank.  
• Members shall be responsible for any litter in their swim.  
• Fishing from boats is not permitted. 
• No member or person shall destroy or damage the riverbank, fences, gates, crops, trees, hedges, shrubs, water plants or change the nature of the river in any way, except by the permission of the committee. 
• Gates must be closed, and all property must be left as found. 
• Fields laid up for hay must be avoided. 
• No vehicles may cross any land to access the Club’s water. 
• Parked vehicles should not obstruct any access or exit to roads, fields, or property. 
• No member shall fish within 15 yards of a fellow member without his or her invitation or permission. 
• No guns, dogs, radios, or fires are allowed at any time. 

Night Fishing 

• All members must notify a Club Officer if they intend fishing at night. 
• Junior members are only permitted to night-fish if accompanied by an Adult/Senior member.  
• Night Fishing only allowed for 5 consecutive nights.  
• Members must not return to the water for 48 hours.  
• Non-members are not permitted to night fish. 

Match Rules 

• Rules regarding matches may be made, changed, or amended by the Match Committee. 
• All competitors in Club matches must be bona fide members of the Club. 
• All matches will be fished to Club rules unless changed by the Match Committee. 
• Any competitor leaving litter in his or her peg will be disqualified. 

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Constitution & Governing Document

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