Club Rules & constitution
The Members of the Greenock and District Angling Club desire to put on record here their hearty thanks and an acknowledgment of the indebtedness to the House of Shaw Stewart and Strathclyde Regional Council for the generous grants of the fishing rights made to the Club in so unanimous and spontaneous a manner. The Club may be pardoned for expressing a hope that they may long be allowed to enjoy such great privileges as have now been placed in their control; that nothing may be done by the Club or its Members which will cause a regret on the part of Superiors; but that such a good and sportsmanlike use may be made of the kind concession, that the Superiors may have reason to congratulate themselves that they have afforded the Anglers of Greenock facilities so desirable for enjoying their favourite pastime. Greenock March 1986
The Club earnestly recommend the Members strictly to adhere to the fishings so kindly granted by the various Superiors and not to fish in other waters belonging to them, which they desire to preserve for their own and friends' (or permit holders') use. Also that all Members, both senior and junior, do not in any way interfere with birds, or their nests or eggs, or the cattle or sheep on the hills and moors, fences or property of any kind.
I Title
The Club shall be called "The Greenock and District Angling Club"
II Objects
The chief objects of the Club shall be (a) the advancement of the art of Angling; (b) To stock with the best value brown trout available as deemed suitable by the committee, any reservoir which may be granted for the use of the Club by the proprietors, and (c) to preserve and improve the fishing for the benefit of the proprietors and the Members of the Club.
III Membership
Membership shall consist of ordinary, senior, junior, Lady and Honorary Members, and their numbers shall not exceed, Ordinary 300, Senior 100, Junior 100 and Ladies 50. Only Ordinary Members shall have voting Powers. Honorary Members shall be elected on the recommendation of the Management Committee and finally approved by a General Meeting. All new members must be proposed and seconded by Two Ordinary Members of the Club and elected by a majority of the Management Committee. Eligibility for senior membership shall be considered if the applicant has maintained ordinary membership for a period of five consecutive years, and is over the age of sixty five. Any concessionary tickets will only be considered if the applicant has maintained ordinary membership for a period of five consecutive years.
IV Entry Money and Subscriptions.
All new members duly elected shall pay the entry fees. The Annual Subscription and Entry Fees to be decided by the committee and any change shall require to be approved by a general meeting. Members 65 and over --- Annual Subscription not exceeding one-half of the Ordinary Subscription in any given year. The Annual Subscription fee is due and payable by all members not later than the 15th March in each year, honorary members alone excepted, their Subscription being voluntary.
V Management
The Management Committee shall consist of a President, Vice President, and Treasurer, Secretary, Minute Secretary and Subscription secretary. And NINE of a committee. Seven members shall form a quorum at Committee Meetings and the Office Bearers shall form an Executive to carry through any urgent business. The chairman at all meetings shall have the casting vote. The President, Vice president, Treasurer, Secretary, Minute Secretary and Subscription secretary shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election. Members of Committee shall normally be elected to hold office for a period of THREE YEARS. In the event of any vacancy occurring in their numbers, the remaining members of the Committee shall co-opt a club member to fill the vacancy and, in the Presidency, the Vice President will automatically occupy the position of President. The members thus elected shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting. Each year, THREE members of Committee who have held office longest since last elected shall retire as also any member co-opted to the Committee during the year, but shall be eligible for re-election. Competition Convener shall be appointed from the Committee annually.
VI Meetings
The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the first week in February in each year for the Election of Office-Bearers, fixing the Entry Money and Annual Subscription, and for the transaction of any other business of the Club. No money shall be taken at the Annual General Meeting. Special nights shall be appointed for receiving the Annual Subscription.
* Committee Meetings can be called at any time by the President, Vice-President, Five Members of Committee, or Twelve Ordinary Members of the Club, for the purpose of hearing and disposing of any complaints, or the transaction of any special business. Three days notice to be given by the Secretary, by postcard or notice in the Greenock Telegraph.
Recommendations
VII Monies
All monies received to be lodged in bank for, and on behalf of the Club, in the name of the President and Treasurer of the Club, and no monies to be uplifted without their signatures.
VIII Restrictions
No trout shall be taken from any of our Waters of less than nine inches. All Fishing shall be done with rod and line in a fair and sportsman like manner and only the recognised Angling lures shall be used. Members are restricted to fish with one rod only. Fishing not allowed above Routenburn Bridge. Fly fishing only is allowed on No's 6, 7 and 8 Reservoirs. Spinning rod and reel is banned, although junior members may use a spinning reel with a fly rod. Spinner lures are banned.
* All anglers will be restricted to a limit of four (4) fish per twenty four hour period, unless participating in competitions, where it will be a ten (10) fish limit for competitors only. Anyone found infringing on this rule will be subject to a disciplinary hearing.
* Each member shall be bound to keep as much as possible to the roads, in going to and coming from the waters.
* No member shall be allowed to take a dog to the fishing ground.
* Every member shall be obliged to show his Membership ticket to any gamekeeper, watcher, or member of the Club when requested to do so.
* Fires at lochside are strictly forbidden.
IX Obligations
Every Member shall be bound to report to the Secretary any infringement of the foregoing restrictions which may come under his notice, and the Secretary shall bring the matter before the first meeting of the Committee. Every Member shall provide himself with a copy of the rules at the price fixed by the Committee.
X Time Limit
The close time to be observed shall be that enacted by Act of Parliament.
XI Liabilities
Every Member must have his Annual Subscription paid not later than 15th March each year, otherwise (with the consent of the Committee) his name will be crossed off the roll, and he shall cease to be a Member. Any Member may withdraw from the Club on giving written notice to the Secretary of his intention to do so, at any time before the Annual General meeting.
XII Competitions
Competitions may be held as the Club Members shall decide and all particulars given on membership card. Any Member desiring to take part in same shall enter his name therefore at either the East or West shelter at Loch Thom. The Committee shall appoint two of their number to see the fish weighed, and their decision shall be final.
XIII Powers of Committee
The Committee of Management shall take such steps (legal or otherwise), and incur such expense as may be required, and as they think fit, to protect the rights and interests of the Club; but they shall not enter into litigation without the special authority of the Members of the Club; and they are authorised to deal with such Member or person who is found infringing the rights, or doing anything to the detriment of the interests of the Club; and they shall also deal with any Member who breaks the law by fishing in an illegal manner, or who does not observe the recommendations of the Club, and, or is the subject of complaint by the Superiors of the Fishing’s.
* The Stocking of the waters in which the Club has the fishing rights shall be determined by the Management Committee, who shall take expert advice, when this is considered necessary.
XIV Rights
The Rights of the Club consist of the grants of the Fishing Rights in Loch Thom, made to the Club by the House of Shaw Stewart, the rights of fishing on No’s 6, 7 and 8 reservoirs and the reservoir known as Beith’s Dam.
XV Interest
It is in the interest of the Club that the conduct of the Members should be above reproach, so that the friendly relations between the Superiors and the Club (the beneficiaries) may stand no chance of being in anyway strained.
XVI Fish Returns
It shall be incumbent on all members to submit to the Secretary, not later than the 30th October each year, the number of Trout/Perch/Pike taken, also the number of Trout returned to the waters. If no fish are taken a nil return must be submitted.
XVII Alterations
Notice of motion to alter any of the foregoing Rules must be given to the Secretary by 31st October each year. It will be the Secretary’s duty to inform all members of the motion at least seven days before the General Meeting. Any alterations to the Constitution and Rules herein contained can only be changed if approved by two-thirds of the Ordinary Members present at a General Meeting
The Club earnestly recommend the Members strictly to adhere to the fishings so kindly granted by the various Superiors and not to fish in other waters belonging to them, which they desire to preserve for their own and friends' (or permit holders') use. Also that all Members, both senior and junior, do not in any way interfere with birds, or their nests or eggs, or the cattle or sheep on the hills and moors, fences or property of any kind.
I Title
The Club shall be called "The Greenock and District Angling Club"
II Objects
The chief objects of the Club shall be (a) the advancement of the art of Angling; (b) To stock with the best value brown trout available as deemed suitable by the committee, any reservoir which may be granted for the use of the Club by the proprietors, and (c) to preserve and improve the fishing for the benefit of the proprietors and the Members of the Club.
III Membership
Membership shall consist of ordinary, senior, junior, Lady and Honorary Members, and their numbers shall not exceed, Ordinary 300, Senior 100, Junior 100 and Ladies 50. Only Ordinary Members shall have voting Powers. Honorary Members shall be elected on the recommendation of the Management Committee and finally approved by a General Meeting. All new members must be proposed and seconded by Two Ordinary Members of the Club and elected by a majority of the Management Committee. Eligibility for senior membership shall be considered if the applicant has maintained ordinary membership for a period of five consecutive years, and is over the age of sixty five. Any concessionary tickets will only be considered if the applicant has maintained ordinary membership for a period of five consecutive years.
IV Entry Money and Subscriptions.
All new members duly elected shall pay the entry fees. The Annual Subscription and Entry Fees to be decided by the committee and any change shall require to be approved by a general meeting. Members 65 and over --- Annual Subscription not exceeding one-half of the Ordinary Subscription in any given year. The Annual Subscription fee is due and payable by all members not later than the 15th March in each year, honorary members alone excepted, their Subscription being voluntary.
V Management
The Management Committee shall consist of a President, Vice President, and Treasurer, Secretary, Minute Secretary and Subscription secretary. And NINE of a committee. Seven members shall form a quorum at Committee Meetings and the Office Bearers shall form an Executive to carry through any urgent business. The chairman at all meetings shall have the casting vote. The President, Vice president, Treasurer, Secretary, Minute Secretary and Subscription secretary shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election. Members of Committee shall normally be elected to hold office for a period of THREE YEARS. In the event of any vacancy occurring in their numbers, the remaining members of the Committee shall co-opt a club member to fill the vacancy and, in the Presidency, the Vice President will automatically occupy the position of President. The members thus elected shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting. Each year, THREE members of Committee who have held office longest since last elected shall retire as also any member co-opted to the Committee during the year, but shall be eligible for re-election. Competition Convener shall be appointed from the Committee annually.
VI Meetings
The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the first week in February in each year for the Election of Office-Bearers, fixing the Entry Money and Annual Subscription, and for the transaction of any other business of the Club. No money shall be taken at the Annual General Meeting. Special nights shall be appointed for receiving the Annual Subscription.
* Committee Meetings can be called at any time by the President, Vice-President, Five Members of Committee, or Twelve Ordinary Members of the Club, for the purpose of hearing and disposing of any complaints, or the transaction of any special business. Three days notice to be given by the Secretary, by postcard or notice in the Greenock Telegraph.
Recommendations
VII Monies
All monies received to be lodged in bank for, and on behalf of the Club, in the name of the President and Treasurer of the Club, and no monies to be uplifted without their signatures.
VIII Restrictions
No trout shall be taken from any of our Waters of less than nine inches. All Fishing shall be done with rod and line in a fair and sportsman like manner and only the recognised Angling lures shall be used. Members are restricted to fish with one rod only. Fishing not allowed above Routenburn Bridge. Fly fishing only is allowed on No's 6, 7 and 8 Reservoirs. Spinning rod and reel is banned, although junior members may use a spinning reel with a fly rod. Spinner lures are banned.
* All anglers will be restricted to a limit of four (4) fish per twenty four hour period, unless participating in competitions, where it will be a ten (10) fish limit for competitors only. Anyone found infringing on this rule will be subject to a disciplinary hearing.
* Each member shall be bound to keep as much as possible to the roads, in going to and coming from the waters.
* No member shall be allowed to take a dog to the fishing ground.
* Every member shall be obliged to show his Membership ticket to any gamekeeper, watcher, or member of the Club when requested to do so.
* Fires at lochside are strictly forbidden.
IX Obligations
Every Member shall be bound to report to the Secretary any infringement of the foregoing restrictions which may come under his notice, and the Secretary shall bring the matter before the first meeting of the Committee. Every Member shall provide himself with a copy of the rules at the price fixed by the Committee.
X Time Limit
The close time to be observed shall be that enacted by Act of Parliament.
XI Liabilities
Every Member must have his Annual Subscription paid not later than 15th March each year, otherwise (with the consent of the Committee) his name will be crossed off the roll, and he shall cease to be a Member. Any Member may withdraw from the Club on giving written notice to the Secretary of his intention to do so, at any time before the Annual General meeting.
XII Competitions
Competitions may be held as the Club Members shall decide and all particulars given on membership card. Any Member desiring to take part in same shall enter his name therefore at either the East or West shelter at Loch Thom. The Committee shall appoint two of their number to see the fish weighed, and their decision shall be final.
XIII Powers of Committee
The Committee of Management shall take such steps (legal or otherwise), and incur such expense as may be required, and as they think fit, to protect the rights and interests of the Club; but they shall not enter into litigation without the special authority of the Members of the Club; and they are authorised to deal with such Member or person who is found infringing the rights, or doing anything to the detriment of the interests of the Club; and they shall also deal with any Member who breaks the law by fishing in an illegal manner, or who does not observe the recommendations of the Club, and, or is the subject of complaint by the Superiors of the Fishing’s.
* The Stocking of the waters in which the Club has the fishing rights shall be determined by the Management Committee, who shall take expert advice, when this is considered necessary.
XIV Rights
The Rights of the Club consist of the grants of the Fishing Rights in Loch Thom, made to the Club by the House of Shaw Stewart, the rights of fishing on No’s 6, 7 and 8 reservoirs and the reservoir known as Beith’s Dam.
XV Interest
It is in the interest of the Club that the conduct of the Members should be above reproach, so that the friendly relations between the Superiors and the Club (the beneficiaries) may stand no chance of being in anyway strained.
XVI Fish Returns
It shall be incumbent on all members to submit to the Secretary, not later than the 30th October each year, the number of Trout/Perch/Pike taken, also the number of Trout returned to the waters. If no fish are taken a nil return must be submitted.
XVII Alterations
Notice of motion to alter any of the foregoing Rules must be given to the Secretary by 31st October each year. It will be the Secretary’s duty to inform all members of the motion at least seven days before the General Meeting. Any alterations to the Constitution and Rules herein contained can only be changed if approved by two-thirds of the Ordinary Members present at a General Meeting