Midlands Branch News

We had a really pleasing response to the first meeting of the newly revived Midlands Branch. A small but enthusiastic group of members attended the AGM and elected branch officers - Stuart Clough (Chair), Ian Wellby (Treasurer) and Liz Baldwin (Secretary). All the volunteers for the committee – Scott West, Chris Bainger, Ros Challis, Sam Chapman, Graeme Peirson and Zetilda Ricketts were also elected. Read the minutes here.

The formalities over the main business of the AGM was to set the tone for the branch and plan our events for the next year. Stuart outlined the branch approach to events – “What does it mean to me?” – and the target audience, anyone with an interest in fisheries management from anglers to developers. We are very keen to have more involvement with angling clubs in our area and, if possible, have an angling representative on the committee. The branch covers a huge geographical area and we are very aware that we need to make events accessible to all members wherever they are based. Branch events will be a mix of topical discussions, training days and, of course, social gatherings.

The cunning plan is to hold several events over the next twelve months the first of which is a Hydropower workshop on May 15th at New Mills on River Goyt. The day will start with a guided visit to the hydropower scheme which is run as a community venture. This will be followed by a series of presentations on different issues around hydropower and a discussion session.

The plan for the rest of the year is to hold a social event in the summer and a training event in the autumn. Keep an eye on the branch section of the IFM website for more news as we finalise the details.

The AGM was followed by an evening meeting led by Ian Wellby on the Fisheries Registration Scheme. In keeping with the branch ethos the theme of the meeting was how fishery owners view the registration scheme and their experience of the registration process. Ian explained some of the concerns that fisheries owners have about the responsibilities which registration places, or appears to place, on them. Some of these concerns arise from a misunderstanding of the information given to owners and illustrate the peril of poorly thought out forms and processes. The ensuing discussion, heated at times, ranged over a number of fisheries issues eventually arriving by a circuitous route at the joys of fishing for barbel! At that point we adjourned to the bar as is traditional among fishy folk.

So – a good start and we have big plans for the future. If you would like any more information about Midlands branch or have any suggestions for events you would like us to consider running please contact Liz Baldwin on mids@ifm.org.uk 

Events

Annual General Meeting on 1st February (4-6pm) at the Wayfarer Inn, Stone. The AGM will be followed by 'Fisheries Registration' - what does it mean to you? A branch discuss session.

Our second event in 2010, to be held jointly with NW Branch in May 2010. This will be a Low Head Hydropower conference which should be a real headline grabber!

If you are interested in any branch events or would like to get involved in the Midlands branch contact Liz Baldwin on mids@ifm.org.uk 

Past branch documents

2005 Branch Report - download it here (10.2Kb)

2006 Branch AGM minutes - download it here (22.1Kb)