THE
BAILIFF SECTION
In order to preserve both the fishing and environment on our
waters and ensure they are in the best possible condition for
members, it is essential to have an active bailiff force. Our waters
cover the South East Wales geographical region and therefore
bailiffs are recruited from within the Club Membership. (with the
exception of EAW Bailiffs.)
The structure of our bailiff section consists of a Head Bailiff
with overall control who is also a member of the committee. All
other bailiffs are current Club Members who give their time at no
expense to the Club.
Bailiffs are on day patrol throughout the year including close
seasons. These Bailiffs have their local waters to cover, but also
acting on information received and visiting random waters, which are
at known risk from poachers.
Members may also be
observed at night as some, a small minority, are under the illusion
that dark nights give them immunity to disregard the rules. (With
the exception of Night Syndicate Members).
The roles of the bailiff are many. These include, patrolling
waters each week checking for pollution or other problems, which
could endanger our fisheries or compromise members' safety i.e.
broken stiles, ensuring our signs are in clear view, replacing any
which are vandalized, checking member's rod licences and permits,
ensuring that these are valid and are properly filled in with name
address, reporting working parties needs on each water to enable
working parties to be planned each season based on local priorities.
Many bailiffs also run working parties on their local waters each
year, maintaining pegs, controlling vegetation and opening new pegs
where possible. Please support the team by attending a working party
each year.
The bailiffs ensure that members fish within the rules of the
Club and report all members who break them. Ignorance of the rules
relating to a water is not regarded as an excuse as such rules are
in the membership card and the water's guide. It is members'
responsibility to read the rules each year and also take notice of
updates in News Letters, Club Web site, or local signs at each
water.
The most important duty is to protect the members fishing by
evicting non-members and gathering information on poachers for
prosecution, obtaining police assistance if they fail to leave the
water. If possible we charge these people under the 1968 Theft Act.
On the other side of the coin the local bailiff will have a vast
amount of information on the water, which when asked he will gladly
pass to the member i.e. where to fish, best methods for the
conditions of the day, bait, rigs etc. If he can help he will. For
the less mobile and older members the bailiff will assist in any way
he can. At the end of the day if you have had a good days fishing
from information received thank the bailiff so you can both go home
happy.
In the good old days poachers were hanged or thrown into a dark
damp cell and forgotten about, or at the very least branded on the
forehead with the letter 't' how times have changed but the crime
remains the same so we must all be vigilant.
Another undesirable
aspect, which is on the increase, in all sports including angling
that is totally un-acceptable, is any form of aggression directed at
the bailiffs, either verbally or a violent act. These will be dealt
with most strongly and were possible in the court. Remember please
treat others, as you would wish them to treat you. Politeness costs
nothing.
To be a bailiff can be a very rewarding, if you wish to
know more about becoming a bailiff please Contact Brian Dickman :
(Head Bailiff) 07719 631898.
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