So LSAS is alive. If Part I is anything to go by, the members are certainly not short of entertainment. On to Part II....
1911
February
It was decided that the Dinner and General Meeting should be fixed for 16th March, the Mayor was once again to be invited. It was resolved that Dinner tickets should be 2/6d each.
March
Once again Mr St.Aubyn was to have the enviable task of providing artistes for the concert at the meeting and £3.3.0d was allotted for this. The Annual General Meeting took place at the Suffolk Hotel on March 16th 1911, and it was proceeded by an 'excellent' dinner. The accounts showed a balance in hand of £9.2.9d. The prize distribution took place and then the musical evening went ahead, as arranged by Mr St.Aubyn.
Once again Mr St.Aubyn was voted to be the Chairman for the coming year. A vote of thanks was given to Mr Thornton, who had generously offered to provide members with a copy of the Fishing Gazette.
It was decided by the Committee that a glass case was to be installed at the headquarters for cups that were held by the Society.
The annual dinner account was to be paid forthwith - the sum being £6.15.0d.
Once again it was discussed by the Committee to elaborate on the word 'professionalism'. It was decided that the word refered to anyone that disposed of his or her catch for money.
April
It was decided that a casting tournament was to take place in the future, and a Mr Marston was to organise same.
May
Once again the act of 'professionalism' was brought up, but the Committee present decided that no action be taken on this. It was decided that if the matter be brought up again then the proposer should pay 10/6d. If the motion was carried then the fee would be returned. Once again at the close of this meeting an 'excellent musical evening' was organised under the management of Mr St.Aubyn.
October
It was decided that arrangements were made for slot meters to be installed in the club houses.
It was resolved that members should be allowed to accumulate the cash value of any prizes won by them. 2/- per match be awarded to prizes.
The Lowestoft Ladies Club were accorded permission to use the scales and weights.
It was resolved that the casting tournament would take place. Two events would take place, one for 6oz and one for 8oz. The Secretary was asked to try and get a pair of cups for this event.
No reason why, but the Secretary was ordered to purchase half a dozen spoons!
A charity match was to be arranged with the entry fee being 1/-. All proceeds to the charity fund. Mr O'Driscoll generously offered to defray the printing costs that would be required. Two ladies would be required to have collecting boxes at the match.
A Mr Carr was thanked for presenting the club with a 2oz, 1oz, ½oz and ¼oz weight.
At last, the ladies feature! A vote of congratulations was to be sent to the Lowestoft Ladies Club for winning the Britannia Cup.
Here we go again - another Smoking Concert was to be arranged. (I'll leave it to you to guess who was to arrange it and how much he was given!)
November
It was reported by the Secretary that the recent Hospital match realised £1.2.0d and Mr O'Driscoll announced his intention of making this up to £1.10.6d. For this a hearty vote of thanks was accorded.
The charity match was discussed. The accounts showed that entry fees amounted to £4.2.0d, ladies' collecting boxes £2.19.1d, and there was a donation from Southwold of £1.1.0d. The total of this being £8.2.1d, it was decided that the club would donate 7/11d and make the total up to £8.10.0d to be handed over.
It was decided that a Mr Johnston should be awarded a prize of a souvenir spoon (That's what they were wanted for!) and that Mrs Heldyard be awarded a prize of 3/6d for the Hospital match.
A vote of thanks was to be sent to the Mayor for offering a cup for the casting competition.
December
A vote of thanks was offered to Mr J Carr for his generosity in presenting a 'Pegamoid Coat' as a special prize for the Boxing Day match.
It was decided by the Committee to run a special match during the next year, and that the special prizes would be£5.00, £2.00 and £1.00. This match was to be fished over two days. The rules for this match would be that one person in every eight to would go through to the final, to be fished one evening.
1912
February
It was proposed that a Whist Drive would be held at the close of business of the Annual General Meeting, and that 35/- should be spent on prizes. Entry for this would be free to members.
Special prizes were allotted for the Lifeboat match. These were to be a box of cigars for the winning gentleman and a plated jam dish for the winning lady.
The Annual General Meeting was fixed for March 28th.
March
The Annual General Meeting was held at the Suffolk Hotel, the Mayor presnted the prizes and medals. Mr Rising has now taken over as Secretary from Mr St.Aubyn. All members present enjoyed the following Whist Drive.
April
It was decided that the finals of ALL cup matches should be fished in the evenings and that the Borough Cup should always be fished for on the opening day of the Festival. A medal was to be presnted for the greatest aggregate weight of fish taken in Thursday matches, and another one for Saturday matches. The value of medal not to exceed 15/-.
September
It was decided to engrave the casting competition cups with either 'Dowson' or 'Thirtle' and then L.S.A.S. with 6oz or 8oz, the name of winner and the length of cast attained.
October
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr O'Driscoll for a gift of three boxes of cigars (no doubt for the Smoking Concert!).
It was decided once again that Mr St.Aubyn was to be given three guineas to arrange a concert.
Mr Burgess was requested to interview Mr Hughes of the E.E.A.S. re. the uniting of the LSAS and the East of England Angling Society.
The Secretary was instructed to order a duplicator.
It has now been decided that three prizes should be offered in each section of the casting competition.
November
It was decided by the Committee that 1/- should be paid to the park keeper for his services in conclusion with the beach match.
It was resolved that £1.1.0d should be given annually as an additional prize with the Brooke Cup.
Medals were chosen for the Borough Cup and casting competition.
December
On December 3rd there was quite a long Committee meeting in which a letter was received with complaints against the Secretary. These read as follows: 1.That he had asked gentlemen to attend the Festival without first consulting Mr Thornton. 2.That he had, in response to a private letter, engaged rooms for a gentleman at another hotel. 3.That he had not introduced Mr Thornton to the gentleman in question. 4.That in general he had not done enough to promote the interest of Mr Thornton's business. (Makes one wonder what ever happened in those hotel rooms!). However, a vote of confidence was put on record in their Secretary by all the Committee, although Mr Thornton abstained from voting.
The Chairman and Secretary reported to the Committee that a member had refused to pay for his share in the 'Aldred Tea', and was directed by the Committee to pay up or resign from the Club.
It was resolved that the sum of 2/6d per night be paid for the use of Committee rooms.
1913
Once again it was decided that a Whist Drive should be held at conclusion of business at the Annual General Meeting in March, with an instruction to all members to 'bring a lady' on that night.
March
The Annual General Meeting was held on March 13th 1913. At this meeting the Annual cups and medals were presented.
Mr St.Aubyn received recognition from the Club for his past services and a presentation was made to him (does this mean an end to the Smoking Concerts, Concert parties etc?)
At the close of business the members and their lady friends participated in a Whist Drive.
April
It was resolved that the casting competition was to take place on land during September.
It was resolved that the Club bears the expense of the Aldred Cup and Tea.
September
It was decided that the casting competition for Club members was to be held on Kirkley recreation ground in September. A sub-Committee was formed to arrange this.
October
The Secretary was instructed to send to Mr Burgess (the Chairman) a complete list of all members that were in business.
It was decided that the entry fees for the festival should be fixed at 2/- for non-members and 1/- for members.
It was decided that during the festival prize distibution meeting that once again a Whist Drive should be held. Once again gentlemen members were requested to bring a lady. It was voted that £3.3.0d should be allowed for this for expenses.
December
The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr J.W. Brookes (former Chairman of LSAS) and congratulate him on becoming the Mayor of Lowestoft.
1914
February
The Secretary Mr Rising tendered his resignation, owing to lack of time to devote to the interests of the Society. Two members were asked to contact Mr Boland and request that he accept the position of Secretary.
March
Mr Boland has accepted the job as Secretary.
May
Meeting held at Harbour Hotel, where the election of Chairman took place. It took a little pressure, but Mr Burgess accepted the position.
The Manager of the Suffolk Hotel requested the LSAS to produce evidence, to effect that photographs of Club at Suffolk Hotel actually belonged to the Club, before he could part with them.
A complimentary pier season ticket was offered for use by the Club Secretary by East Coast Company, in addition to the two already offered for the largest cod and whiting caught each season.
September
The Committee meeting was held at the Secretary's address at Apsley House.
The fixture list for the coming year was discussed owing to the disturbing effect of the war.
It was decided with regret that the 1914 fishing festival would be dropped, also all fixtures arranged would be subject to alteration. The reason for dropping the festival were given as written - 'being due to the fact that at such times as these it it was not considered fair to call upon our Town's people for prizes and contributions to festival when they had so many calls upon their generosity.'
October
It was proposed that vouchers instead of cash prizes would be presented to prize winners this season.
The Secretary was to see Mrs Crocker and ask her if she could cater for 40 for Tea after fishing for the Aldred Cup. Members to pay 1/6d each for this, although any Yarmouth visitors would be entertained by the Club. It was decided that six prizes should be purchased for this match at a cost of no more than £6.00.0d.
A letter was read from the Mayor suggesting a match be held on behalf of 'The Prince of Wales Fund'. It was decided that such a match would be unsuccessful under present circumstances.
It was brought to the Secretary's notice that members fishing in the Turnham Cup had a second trace already baited to slip on a cast out. The Committee decided that only one trace could be used in a match, this had to be used continuously and could only be changed for necessary purposes or if the original one was caught up and lost at sea.
It was also proposed that ALL fish be weighed in all matches.
It was decided that the entrance fee for the casting competition would be 2/-, and that two medals plus first and second prizes be obtained in both sections. It was also decided that there was to be one prize for the longest cast overall. It was proposed and seconded that all fish caught on the Thursday match should be 'pooled' and presented to the Yeomanry (the definition of Yeomanry in the dictionary:- 'Farmers: A troop of cavalrymen who serve of their own accord'. Could they be refering to 'Dad's Army'?)
November
An extra prize has been donated for the casting competition, this was donated by Mr Gearing and is to be a centre pin reel, value 10/6d.
December-April 1915
Committee meetings were cancelled due to the war.
May
The Annual General Meeting took place on May 21st, and a letter was read from a gentleman praising the members of the LSAS. He wrote saying that 'there are now a good many people coming down for the fishing' and that he had 'met them, year after year, and how friendly they are all together, which makes the visits very enjoyable, and he hopes to meet them all for many years to come'.
The cups and trophies were presented.
Mr Rising, who had held the position of Secretary, retired. He was presnted with a silver cigarette case from the Club members, and thanked for his splendid contribution of services to the Club. Mr Rising replied that he was only too pleased to have done his best, and thanked all members for thier generosity.
Mr Thirtle was elected as President of the Club. Mr Boland was elected Secretary. There was much discussion regarding the headquarters of the Club, and it was resolved that they should be moved to the Harbour Hotel as they had received a very hearty welcome from Mrs Crocker, the owner of the Hotel.
It was decided once again to cancel the festival for that year owing to the circumstances of the war.
A meeting was held at Apsley House, The Esplanade. The war was discussed and any future meetings and fixtures would have to be cancelled as necessary. The Committee thanked each other for all their combined efforts, and it was hoped that the next time they all met with each other would be 'under better conditions of Peace'. The meeting closed.
There are no further records between 1915 and 1919 (probably couldn't afford a new minutes book).
1919
October
A meeting was held at 90, High Street, Lowestoft and Mr Burgess occupied the chair. Messrs. Rising, Hobbs, Jeckells and Edwards were also present. It was proposed by Mr Rising that an effort be made to restart the LSAS, and it was decided that Mr C Clarke should be Secretary. A general meeting was called for on October 10th for the purpose of electing officers, receiving old members subscriptions and enrolling new members.
It was proposed that the new Committee should consist of 12 members, and that the membership fee would be 1/6d per year. Fixtures were drawn up and 100 membership cards were to be printed. The second meeting in October was held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms on London Road and a general discussion took place as to the future of the club.
November
November 13th meeting was held at the home of Mr Burgess, High Street. The Borough Cup was discussed and it was decided that, after paying for the medals, two prizes would be be awarded not amounting to more than 20/-.
It was decided that a Boxing Day match would be held on the T piece of the pier. The Aldred Cup was discussed and it was confirmed that Mr Reddish would supply the teas at 2/6d per head.
1920
January
The Secretary produced the statement of accounts for the year which showed a deficit of 12/5d - Mr Burgess kindly offered to pay the 12/5d thus enabling the Society to start off the new year with a clean sheet.
It was decided to once again restart the annual dinner, and the go ahead was given to print 100 tickets at the price of 3/6d each. It was also decided to hold the dinner at the Crown Hotel.
Once again there is a gap in the minute book - reason unknown, therefore it is not possible to find out if the dinner was a success, or indeed if any fixtures took place. The next entry in the minutes book being in September 1921.
1921
September
Mr Rising has now been appointed as Chairman and Mr North as Secretary. The Committee was appointed of all male members present, although at that meeting there were in fact two ladies present.
Match fees for the forthcoming year were fixed at 1/- per member, and the annual subscription was fixed at 2/6d.
Once agian the casting competition came to the fore and it was agreed that this should be held again on grass.
It was agreed that the Secretary should write to the Mayor to invite him to become the President.
It was agreed that all members wishing to enter cup matches should put their names forward when representatives would be balloted for, the Secretary was given full power to fill vacancies in cup teams. Any cup representative that was chosen and failing to attend the fixture was ordered to pay one half his substitutes entrance fee and also his expenses.
October
The Borough Cup - it was agreed that the LSAS members would entertain the visiting teams to tea.
It was decided that for match prizes these would be in the form of vouchers. The proportion of the amount decided upon would be left to the Secretary, although 1/-d to be deducted from amounts of 12/- and under, and 1/6d from amounts above 12/- to go towards club funds.
East Coast Angling Federation - a letter was read from the Secretary, of the Gorleston Sea Anglers and it was agreed that the LSAS would be willing to consider the formation of such a federation.
There is once again no record of meetings from November 1921 - September 1922.
1922
September
A financial statement was read to the Committee showing a deficit of 10/7d. A Committee was formed of all members present with the power to add to as and when more members became free to become Committee members. A Mr Kingsman said he would be willing to provide a Kingsman Cup, this was gratefully accepted. It was suggested that this be fished for by local clubs and four delegates would be picked from each club, this was carried.
The discussion on sizeable fish once again came to the fore and it was decided that only sizeable fish would in future be weighed in, and that the size limits would be 7" for round fish and 6" for flat fish. This was agreed and carried.
A charity match was arranged to be fished on September 16th, but at this match ALL fish would be weighed in, and there was also to be a prize for crabs. The entrance fee was set at 1/- and any surplus money from this match was to go to the hospital. It was decided that handlines could only be 'dropped over' and not 'thrown'. If there were any surplus prizes left over these would be fished for at another charity match.
It was agreed that club subscriptions for the year would be 2/6d.
Once again it was decided that if a member put his or her name down to fish a competition and was subsequently picked for the LSAS team to enter any particular competition and that member then withdrew, then that member would be responsible for paying his substitutes entry fee and expenses etc.
It was decided that once again the casting competition should be held again.
October
The size limits were again discussed and the previous month's decision on the size limits was withdrawn. It was decided that ALL fish should be weighed in at ANY matches.
November
A letter was read from Mr Godfrey requesting that he nominate a substitute to fish for him in the Turnham Cup, the Secretary informed the Committee meeting that this was not acceptable and he was to write to the member advising him of the decision.
The Secretary was authorised to call a general meeting of all members as soon as possible owing to the increasing difficulty in obtaining Committee members and that if adequate support was not shown then there would be no alternative but to wind up the club.
It was proposed and seconded that if any member of the LSAS was asked or voted for to fish a match for the club in a cup match then they shall do so and not fish for any other club.
Unfortunately there are no further minute books to refer to, and until such time that these arrive on the scene, we can only assume that the Committee meetings were held as usual and that the general run-of-the-mill questions and answers came up. We will miss the Smoking Concerts, Whist Drives (legal or illegal!) and the Social Evenings with the ladies, but time marches on and until such time that the missing years are found then I'm afraid they will forever be a mystery.
