Lancashire Constabulary Sports & Social Club - Coarse Fishing Section Annual Reports

The last year has been a modest one for the section in terms of match achievements. Yet it has been a promising one in terms of membership. Our section, normally 8 members, has been increased by 50%. More importantly of these 4 new members, 3 are serving officers, hopefully ensuring the future of this section.

In tears of success in the field we have faired less well than in recent years but are still a formidable force within the north west region. In he northwest championships held by Merseyside ewe were joint winners on points but lost out to Cheshire on a weight count-back. in the national championships, which was held in Norfolk and gave us no opportunity to practice on the waters, we came in 13th place out of 30 competing teams. This was a very hard match resulting in a very close finish where only 3 more points would have seen us on the podium. in the same event Mr Carr took an individual section prize.

on the local scene we took place in 4 red rose individual Competitions where Mr. Thompson had a win and Mr Bateson 2nd & 3rd place. We also took part in the GMP fire open team event where we were placed equal 3rd. We then finished the season in style in the GMP fire individual event at Bolton where Insp Fearn had a very creditable win with 43lb of carp, doubling the weight of anyone else and in the same match Mr Livesey finished 3rd. Overall the season must be seen as a positive one as 3 of the new members qualified for our national team.

Coarse Angling Sports Section

By Secretary Mr Ian Bateson

The Coarse Angling Section continues to be the driving force in the North West Region enjoying unrivalled success. Nationally we have slipped down the order a little but still do very well considering the small squad we have to pick from.

Like many of the sports sections we desperately need new members to come and join us.

Competitions wise we won the North West Team event and provided three out of four top individuals. In the Police Sport UK Nationals we finished 13th out of 39 entries.

Inter-Force matches we finished five individual events throughout the winter period and provided all five winners. We also fished the Cheshire Open and won the team event.

Other invitations had to be turned down due to travelling distance involved.

During the past year we managed to secure a small sponsorship scheme with an angling bait company. Through this we obtain bait and team clothing at wholesale prices. This may only be small but every little helps.

The angling section like many others is still failing to attract new members, who are still serving members , despite recent pleas on the website. However we have attracted enquiries from two more retired members who are now rejoining the sports club

During the last year we participated in the PSUK North West Champs. held in Cheshire. The team were runners up only 1 point behind the organisers. On the individual front Mr. Bateson was placed 3rd individual. Again on the National front we entered a 6 man team for the event which took place on the River Cam in Cambridge. Due to the distance involved we were unable to practice on the venue which proved a very difficult one. Despite this the team finished a creditable 13th place out of an entry of 26. The event was won by the organisers which shows the value of local knowledge and practice on the venue. Next years event will take place on the Gloucester canal on the 6th to the 8th of September.

As regards Sectional sport we participated in events in West Yorks, Greater Manchester and Cheshire during the summer months. The team had some success winning the Greater Manchester event whist Steve Carr and Ian Bateson were placed 2nd and 4th individuals. In the Cheshire event Dave Thompson was individual runner up. At the current time we are involved in a 5 match individual event which is held throughout the winter months and which is organised by the Lancashire force. At the current time this is being led by Mr Thompson with only one match remaining.

We would still love to hear from more serving members who I know are still out there as they are still participating in their own Divisional competitions. Anyone interested please contact the secretary Ian Bateson via the web site.

During the last 12 months the Angling Section has participated in numerous events at both regional and national levels. The various teams have been made up of four serving members and six retired members who have rejoined the club. We participated in 3 inter force team matches and four individual North West competitions.

On the sport UK front we had a very successful year. In June we organised the North West Regional event and provided the first 5 individual places as well as winning the six man team event.

At National level we entered a 6 man team to the event held in Essex. Despite never seeing the water before we produced two individual runner up spots and came 4^th in the teams out of 29. This year a sports UK inter service event was launched and 2 members were picked to represent the North West region.

As for the annual report last year we missed the first 2 months of the match-fishing season due to administrative problems and as a result we only fished 3 inter force matches instead of the usual 6. The teams were made up of 4 serving officers (the lowest number ever) and 7 retired members. This was very disappointing and we are currently canvassing for more serving officers in particular those who have participated in the past. We did however enjoy quite considerable success. In the West York's event we provided the 2^nd and 3^rd individuals as well as finishing 3^rd team out of 34. In the GMC event we again provided the 2^nd individual. As far as PAA sport was concerned we had even more success. In the regional event we had the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd individuals as well as winning the team event. At the National championships we were placed 12^th out of 32 teams. It is hoped that during the coming year we will be joined by more members and will be participating in a full calendar of events.

This very active section has competed in a series of fishing matches throughout the year.

They were 2nd team in the Notts Fire Open and 3rd team in the Lancashire Police Open. 3rd in the West Yorkshire Prison and 2nd and 3rd placed teams in the West Yorkshire Police Open.

In the Humberside Open a 1st individual was scored and the team were 2nd overall.