The following is the opening extract from the 'Society History', compiled by Wendy Ellis. We'll start with the thoughts of the author. Hope it makes interesting reading.....
'When I undertook the task to produce and compile a record of the Lowestoft Sea Angling Society I did not realise that such a task could be so informative and also enlightening. I have tried to also include such comments from the early minute books that will bring a 'smile to the face' and also a 'nod of the head' as it seems that some of the items at Committee Meetings then are still lingering now!
'Some of the photographs that have been used are from persons unknown, they have just been 'given' so therefore if you were one of them please accept the thanks of the LSAS.
'It is worth mentioning that most of the early minute books were written in ink and copper-plate writing which contained the odd smudge or two, perhaps from the odd pint which was supped during the proceedings!
'It seems that the 'bob' for winning the first fish caught in a match has long since gone, but never the less it was an event that did happen and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Somehow 5p just doesn't seem to have the same sort of 'ring' to it!
'However, to conclude, may I add it has been great fun and also a privilege for me to compile the following pages for you all and I hope each member will have the opportunity to read of 'times gone past' when fishing in an old mac', wellies, and the obligatory cap was real fishing.'
Good reading
Wendy Ellis
1907
June
At the committee meeting held at the Imperial Hotel a committee consisting of 6 members was formed to be called the Fixture Committee.
A challenge shield for inter-club matches for boats was presented by Captain Loder.
It was proposed that a Mr Stone be excluded from LSAS because he had been poaching at Oulton Broad.
July
A Festival Committee was elected and this consisted of 6 members. it was proposed that £50.00 be specified for prizes for the week which also included the boat section.
September
It was decided that a LSAS against Southwold inter-club would be held, the number of competitors from each club would be 20 and the entry fee would be 2/6d each. The match would be held over two days, the first to be at Lowestoft on October 29th and the second on November 12th at Southwold. It was discussed, and after discussion it was decided to advertise the event in the Anglers News.
October
Real confusion began to set in at the Festival Committee! It was proposed by Captain Loder that an alteration of SUNDAY Festival matches should be confirmed as follows - The SUNDAY pier match to be fished on TUESDAY October 15th and the SUNDAY boat match to be fished on SATURDAY October 12th. This was decided to be a good idea and carried.
It was unamimously agreed that a Mr St.Aubyn be 'empowered to arrange a concert party for the Fishing Festival' and the allotted sum of £3.3.0d was put aside for that.
Captain has been elevated in rank and is now elected to Vice President.
November
Captain Loder is now the Chairman. The Secretary accepted with thanks a fishing rod worth 14/6d in exchange for one that cost 8/6d.
A 'Special Prize' to be fished for during the Festival week was offered by Mr Bradbeer, but there was a proviso that only catches of over 3½lb should qualify.
It was also proposed that a notice board be placed in the Committee room on the pier and that NO PERSONS (Committee excluded) were allowed in room during the weighing of fish.
No details why, but recorded in the minutes that a Mr Dorling 'should be expelled from the Club for breaking rules and acting in an unsportsmanlike manner'.
December
It was proposed that 3 hooks brazed into one should be counted as 3 hooks and not one, although it was decided that if only one of these brazed hooks was used on a trace it would be legal.
It was decided that all the cups and trophies should be insured against fire and theft.
1908
January
It was proposed that the size limits for flat fish should be 7 inches and for round fish 8 inches.
February
Mr St.Aubyn said that he could provide a concert party for £3.3.0d as proposed in October 1907, this was accepted by the Committee.
March
The Annual General Meeting was held at the Headquarters - 'Hotel Imperial' and it was decided that Messrs. Gribble and 'Swindell' be appointed auditors! The evening, after conclusion of business, was left in the capable hands of Mr St.Aubyn and was 'spent in harmony' who arranged an 'excellent programme'.
July
It was proposed that a new Borough Challenge Cup be adopted and £1.1.0d was voted towards same. The full cost of the cup was £10.10.0d and it was agreed that there was to be a figure of an angler on the top, and in addition an inscription should read 'Borough of Lowestoft Sea Angling Challenge Cup 1908'. It was discussed at length the question of measurable fish for this cup competition and it was decided it would have to go to the full Committee for final settlement of sizes. The conditions of fishing for this cup were: (1) Teams to consist of 6 a side (2) Entry was 2/6d per member or 15/- per team (3) The cup was to be fished for on Claremont Pier and (4) There were to be 2 Committee members attending and 1 from each club that attended.
September
The Fishing Festival was discussed at length. It was discussed that fish should be measured during the match instead of at the scales, it was also resolved that the entrance fee for the Festival should be fixed at 1/- for members and 2/- for non-members.
October
It was proposed that the Borough Cup should be fished for under National Federation Rules., this was carried. It was also discussed that the headquarters be moved to the Suffolk Hotel. It was agreed that £5.00.0d should be allotted for each days' fishing for the Festival. Once again Mr St.Aubyn offered to arrange the Festival Concert, and it was agreed that £3.3.0d be given to him to arrange this event.
It was agreed that in the event of rough weather that any member who entered for the boat matches should be allowed to fish on the pier instead if he wished.
It was proposed and accepted that the minimum weight for Mr TURNHAM's Cup should be 5lbs.
It was accepted by the Committee that the 24 carat gold medals that accompanied the Borough Cup should be purchased at 15/- each and that the Mayor be asked to present the Cup and prizes.
November
It was proposed by a Mr Westgate that Mr Hughes was to be asked to send in his resignation from the Club because he had recently joined another fishing club as secretary. The Committee agreed that although Mr Hughes would be requested to resign from the Committee of the LSAS, he could still remain a member. At the same meeting a letter was received from Mr Hughes tendering his resignation from the LSAS Committee. The same was accepted by all Committee members present.
Mr W. Smith wrote to the Secretary about a clock that he had won. The Secretary was directed by the Committee to return the clock to the vendor as it was found not to be of the same description as offered.
A general special meeting of the Society was called for on Friday 13th November to discuss the desirability of moving the headquarters to the Suffolk Hotel. It was also decided that after that meeting a social evening would be held and a whist drive. Prizes for the whist drive to be donated by members of the Committee.
No reason can be found but Mr Mummery's name was struck off the Committee!
It was proposed that a special match was to be held for members who had never won a prize, and prizes for this event were promised by Mr Nobbs and Mr Larter.
1909
January
It was proposed by Mr Daniels that - 'Considering the fact that whist drives have been ruled illegal by the police' - that the same be discontinued.
It was proposed and accepted by the Committee that a 'Bohemian Evening' should be held on Thursday 21st January - tickets for the event to be 1/- each. £3.3.0d was allotted by the Committee for this event. At a further meeting it was decided to postpone the evening until January 29th.
February
It was agreed that the Festival dates should be November 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th. It was also proposed that the Secretary should write to all members that had not paid their subscriptions.
March
A statement was produced by the Secretary showing a deficit of £26.00.0d and it was proposed that at all future meetings the Secretary show statements of accounts.
A vote of thanks was passed to the Assistant Secretary for returning his £5.00.0d salary.
June
A whist drive was arranged for 8.15pm sharp (are they doing this under cover? What happened after it was proposed that they should be stopped because the police said they were illegal? Refer back to January meeting).
September
Mr St.Aubyn has now been elevated to the position of Deputy Vice-Chairman (no doubt because of all the concert parties he arranges!).
It was proposed and carried that the Secretary should now get £5.5.0d per annum honararium.
It was also resolved that, because of the state of the finances of the Society, the honararium previously voted to the Assistant Secretary should now be stopped.
It was proposed and carried that in future vouchers should be given for Club matches. Each prize winner would receive a voucher, which was to be presented to the tradesman within 7 days of the voucher date. The tradesmen should then send in their accounts stated upon each voucher within 10 days of date of voucher. Unless the above conditions were fulfilled, the voucher becomes out-dated and claims for payment will not be entertained. Vouchers will only be presnted to tradesmen who are members of the Society.
It was proposed and carried that entrance fees for all Open matches should be 1/- for both members and non-members. It was proposed and carried that if a member paid their entrance fees to all matches in advance, and in one sum at the commencement of the season, then a 10% reduction would be allowed.
Owing to the fact that not many fish were being caught, the rule of 'no prize to be won with less than 3½lbs of fish' be rescinded, and that the rule should now read '2lbs'. This was carried by a vote of 4 to 3 in favour.
It was also proposed and carried unanimously that all prizes won in Club matches up to the end of November should be presented at a Smoking Concert.
October
Mr Chadd was thanked by the Committee for securing a prize for the Festival from Messrs. Alcock and a prize of £1.1.0d was received from Mr Turnham for the Hospital match. It was suggested that the prizewinners of the Hospital match should receive them at the Festival Concert, this was carried.
A vote of thanks was recorded for services rendered by Mr St.Aubyn and the Secretary for securing advertisements for the Festival Handbook.
November
Once again Mr St.Aubyn is to arrange the Festival Concert for the usual sum of £3.3.0d.
Mr Turnham is getting married on November 4th 1909 and a tea-set was to be presented to him from contributions received by members of the Committee that were present on that evening.
1910
February
It was decided that a sub-committee be formed of five committee members to go through the accounts of the Treasurer and Secretary, and that the sub-committee should report their findings to the next full Committee meeting. Also, in the event of accounts not being prepared by that date, the books were then to be put in the hands of a chartered accountant. This was carried unanimously. The Smoking Concert came to the fore again! This was now to be held on the last day of the Festival, and all prizes won up to that date should be presented. Mr St.Aubyn once again had a round of applause for his excellent services during the season. The Festival dates were fixed for November 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th.
March
The accounts obviously came up to scratch because the report by the sub-committee instructed to look into them reported back. The accounts were looked at and examined and were passed by the Committee.
It was proposed and carried that a letter should be written to the Vice-Chairman advising him that his subscriptions were still not paid.
Another sub-committee was formed, this time to arrange a Dinner. The results of this sub-committee were that 200 tickets should be ordered, and that the tickets should be collected after the second course and checked in the room. Once again Mr St.Aubyn had the enviable task of organising the programme of events for the Concert/Dinner. The Dinner has now been fixed for April 5th 1910.
It was decided that the sum of 8/- should be paid to Mr Hanbury for the refurbishment of advertising signs at the Club's headquarters.
April
Mr Turnham has again offered another cup, this time to be called the TURNHAM CHALLENGE CUP, on the condition that it was to be held for one year only and a prize to accompany the cup would be given by Mr Turnham each year.
It was proposed and carried that the steward officiating at any match would personally be held responsible for any monies received for that match, and would report to the Secretary with same. It was also proposed and carried that a written receipt would be given for all monies received as entry fees.
The Annual General Meeting was held at the Suffolk Hotel on 5th April, and the account balance was read. This now showed a balance of £8.15.10d, the auditors were once again Messrs Gribble and 'Swindell'. The prize giving took place. Once again a musical evening concluded the evening, arranged once again by Mr St.Aubyn.
May
A letter was read to the Committee from Mr Brooke (Chairman and President), who considered it better that one member should not hold both positions. He would remain as President, and this was accepted.
The Committee voted that Mr St.Aubyn should become the Chairman for the ensuing year.
The Committee voted that the sum of 7/6d and no more should be spent on a 'hand bag' for the conveying of books etc. to meetings, and that said 'hand bag' be given to the Secretary for this purpose!
There were to be very busy angling days ahead as the fixture list that was proposed shows: October 6th - club match, October 8th - club match, October 12th - Borough Cup match, October 13th - club match, October 17th, 18th and 19th Southwold Festival, October 20th - Turnham Cup match, October 22nd to 27th - Yarmouth Festival, October 27th - Brooke Cup match, October 29th - another Brooke Cup match, November 3rd - Hospital match, November 5th - Lifeboat match, November 10th, 11th, 12th and 14th - Festival matches, November 17th - Turnham match, November 19th - Turnham match, November 21st - Final of Turnham Cup matches, November 22nd - Aldred Cup match, November 24th and 26th - Brooke Cup matches, November 29th - Final of Brooke Cup matches, December 8th - club match, December 10th - club match, December 15th - evening match, December 26th - club match.
It was decided that the prizes for the Hospital and Lifeboat matches were to be presented at the Smoking Concert to be held on the final day of the Festival - November 14th.
It was decided that for the boat matches, and to be fair to all competitors, that motor boats should leave the starting point 30 minutes after the row boats and sailing boats. This was discussed and it was thought unfair to the rowing boats that sailing boats should start at the same time as them. It was then passed that the proposal should read 'motor boats 30 minutes after rowing boats and sailing boats 10 minutes after rowing boats'. This was carried.
There was reference to a bye-law regarding fish caught by competitors, or indeed any members that caught fish during a club match, relating to what happened to the fish that were taken, as many of the members and competitors of matches were fish mongers and fish catchers by trade.
July
It was resolved that dogfish be excluded from matches. Once again Mr St.Aubyn was congratulated on a 'capital musical programme' that he arranged after the meeting.
September
As only six Committee members present, business adjourned until next meeting.
October
It was decided that advertisements would be obtained for the Festival Booklet, one half page was to be taken by 'The Palace'. Fixture cards were to be sent out to all last season's members. Committee meetings would be held on Mondays in future.
One or two members had complained bitterly that they had not received their fixture cards, but the Committee was fully behind the Secretary and a vote of confidence in him was taken.
It was resolved that in all future matches competitors MUST wear in a prominent position a coloured tab which would be issued to them with their bag labels. If anyone refused to wear the coloured tab then there was to be compulsory disqualification from that match.
It was agreed that a policy should be taken out to insure any of the cups that belonged to the club against fire, burglary and theft at any address, this was to cost 12/6d per year.
November
A meeting was held prior to the Smoking Concert on November 14th. During the concert the prizes for the Festival were distributed. At the Festival this year there were 207 entries. It was noted that whiting were not so plentiful this year due to the fact that there was a strong Easterly wind. The prize for the largest cod went to Mr Roff - 11lb 6½oz, and the largest whiting to Mr Miles - 1lb 8oz.
It was to be placed on record that the Committee record their extreme gratification at the success of the club for winning all the cups which the club members entered for. Namely the Lowestoft Borough Cup, Southwold Borough Cup, Yarmouth Britannia Pier Cup and Aldred Cup.
December
A cheque for £2.2.0d was to be forwarded to the Hospital and the Lifeboat Association for fishing matches held in their favour.
There was quite a long discussion on whether Committee-men that were not locker holders were entitled to use the room on the pier without charge. It was finally resolved that they could.
