We can now take up the story again in 1976 where we find that Ronnie Lockwood is the Secretary and the club balance stands at £389.65 as at the end of December 1976. There was a reference back to previous years that show the balance for year endings were: 1971 - £54.14, 1972 - £75.85, 1973 - £2.51, 1974 - £161.40 and 1975 - £250.72.
1977
This was the year that the National Casting Competition was held in this area and Peter Coull was given the backing of the LSAS for this event.
A long discussion took place regarding the dinner dance to be held in March, it was eventually decided that apple crumble should replace the previous years' sweet!
At the AGM in February 25 members were present and the mammoth task began of electing officers for the year. These consisted of a President and nine Vice-Presidents! Plus the various other duties of Chairman etc. down to the humble Committee person which consisted of no less than seventeen more. Several discussions took place, including the old chestnut of which baits should be barred from matches and also size limits. It was decided the club match entry should still stand at 10p and 5p for juniors with a 50p payout at every match to the top junior.
The dinner dance was arranged, and there were 370 to attend - obviously to sample the apple crumble! It was decided that the honourariums should be paid on a percentage basis - 10% going to the Secretary and 5% to Match Secretary and Tombola organiser. This was the percentage to be taken from the balance of the club funds at the end of December each year.
The club now boasted 125 members.
It was decided that for Orford matches any members wishing to attend the event should pay £2.00 at the time of booking, which was non-returnable. This would cover the event.
June
This must have been the shortest ever Committee meeting, with just four members attending. It lasted just twenty-six minutes.
LSAS won the match at Orford against Stone Lodge with a total of 22lbs 12oz.
In August the Committee were once again involved in heated arguments as to the menus for the dinner dance in 1978. The delights of Turkey, Roast Beef or Roast Pork were discussed at length, in the end the Turkey won.
The Jubilee Cup at Orford in September attracted thirty-three members who had all paid in advance. The Committee was informed that there could be more wishing to go, a coach was booked to take members to the match.
It seems that the club was eager to make money for funds as in September there was a 'sale of eels' which realised the sum of £1.80. At the end of 1977 the club balance stood at £612.04.
1978
The usual run-of-the-mill Committee meetings came and went. It was during this year that 'Gassy' Cook went to America with his rod. It was decided to give him some LSAS badges to 'show the flag' while he was away. This was also the year the club decided to have a club tie which was sold at £1.75.
An outing was arranged for one evening to the MAFF. This was the year that the club put forward the suggestion that perhaps the LSAS could purchase their own club house for social activities. The idea was put on ice until such time the club had the adequate funds to think about it. At the end of 1978 the club had a balance of £1,374.71.
1979
At the AGM in March the Chairman, Hylton Brighty, said he was very pleased to see so many members in attendance. There were thirty-six members present, which was well up on previous years.
It was once again discussed that with such a healthy balance in club funds that there should be some sort of final objective such as a club house, either as a lone project or to be shared with other sea angling clubs. It was also discussed that if a club house was not forthcoming then a club boat be purchased. Both ideas were to be looked into and reported back at next year's AGM.
It was proposed that club membership should be raised to £5.00 which would include a metal and cloth badge. The juniors would pay £2.00.
A discussion took place as to whether at club matches members would be allowed to use two rods, one in the water and the other made up and ready to cast. This motion was defeated by 23 votes to 7.
At this meeting it was proposed, seconded and carried that at Christmas Fare matches members must fish four Tuesday or four Sunday matches to be able to participate in these matches for Christmas prizes. 27 voted for this.
Two other proposals were put to the members and carried. These were that ALL matches should be pegged and there was to be no free-for-all, and that all club matches for cups should be fished from the same beach. It was also decided that all helpers at Pontins Week should not be eligible for the main prize list.
At the meeting on June 18th, Mr R. Lockwood resigned as Secretary, this was because of certain 'niggles' which had come to his notice. The Chairman told the Committee that many things were being discussed on the beach and elsewhere which should, if there were any genuine complaints, be put in writing and the person making the complaint attend the next meeting to hear the result. The resignation would come into effect at the next AGM in 1980.
The club balance at the end of 1979 was £1982.47.
1982
The A.G.M. took place on 1st March with 27 members attending. The President Mr D. Gwynn also attended and was welcomed by the Chairman. The Chairman also stated that with membership at over the 100 mark he would have liked to see more attending. The total number of members at this date being 145.
It was brought to light that because of sponsorship rules, helpers at Pontins Week who had not paid full board could not take part in prize events for sponsored prizes. The Secretary received a complaint from two members regarding the payout at a recent LSAS match in which, in their opinion, stated that the payout was too low and that the helpers had shared the profits. The complaint was to be published in the newsletter and the members concerned to be invited to run the next match!
A charity match was held for the Waveney Foster Care Association resulting in a cheque for £100 being given to the Secretary of that association.
At the end of 1982 the club balance stood at £2279.42p.
1983
March
At the A.G.M. held on the 28th March it was proposed and carried that white and silver ragworm should be barred from club matches. A proposal that two rods could be used at club matches met with a unanimous NO vote.
It was at this meeting that Stan Gowen now became Secretary, and the retiring Secretary Ronnie Lockwood was made a life member. He was thanked for all his work for the LSAS.
It was during this year that the club started to make a loss, and it was decided that the club should look carefully at the money spent out on honorariums and the costs of engraving cups and trophies.
During the years 1977 - 1983 many charity matches were organised, such as the Friends of Kelling, N.S.H.E.B.A. and also one-offs. These raised a considerable amount of monies for the charities concerned and were very well attended even though the entrance fees were in the region of only £1.50p.
There were many social events - no not smoking concerts or whist drives, but dinner dances and discos with excellent attendances. There were also fish and chip supper evenings because there were often many members wanting to go to Orford. Coaches were booked as well as sometimes three and four boats. There was also an excellent freshwater section and of course the annual casting competition took place. The club continued to actively participate in the carnival with a decorated float. The LSAS 'flag' was shown everywhere members went wearing their T-shirts, sweatshirts, badges (metal, cloth and car) and ties. Other clubs were interested in our own measuring sticks and indeed purchased them from us, thus boosting club funds. Most Committee members took their job seriously and attended on a regular basis, making sure their names were recorded accordingly in the apologies for absence should they be unable to attend. Indeed at most Committee meetings the full compliment of Committee members attended. Many discussions took place and interesting points of view put forward that would be in the interests of their fellow anglers. Some were thrown out and others 'put on ice', no doubt some ideas will remain that way. Some, such as which baits should be used or barred, still come up on agendas and often are brought up at A.G.M.'s. No doubt when this book (or website) has found a home in a dusty corner with cobwebs, that chestnut will still be on the table to be discussed!
However we must now look forward to the mid 1980's and onwards to the 1990's. The accounts of meetings will be recorded in the same fashion as they come to hand. Until those pages are added........
June
At the meeting in June 1983 the Committee were told that club members would be allowed to fish on Bungay Common. No doubt the odd rabbit and brace of pheasants were weighed in!
Also during 1983 it was decided that the club run a car Treasure Hunt, and once again the LSAS float entered the Carnival procession. It didn't win, but all that participated enjoyed themselves.
November
At the November meeting the question came up again about trying to acquire our own clubhouse premises, and it was agreed that we write to the council to enquire if they had any suitable premises that could be rented.
1984
January
At the meeting in January 1984 it was decided that the club should purchase a set of scales weighing up to 32lbs (foresight into bigger things to come!).
At the meeting in February the Committee officially heard that the Lowestoft Festival Association was to be disbanded together with a balance of £7.17p. The Committee of the LSAS agreed to take this on, as although other clubs had been offered the opportunity of attending their last Festival Committee meeting, no other club attended. Only a representative from our club had been present, so this was now under our wing. Due to the disbandment of the L.F.A. the South Pier club requested that we returned cups that were donated to the Festival Association to them, but that we keep the Old Folks Cup and run a match for this, with all the profits going to the old folks club. This was agreed.
March
At the meeting held on March 5th the Committee were told that Mr David Gwynn had received a letter form one of the boat anglers, requesting that he had a discount off his invoice for the forthcoming week in September. This was because at the previous year's Festival he had helped with the weigh-in. This was discussed at length, and it was felt that all helpers should make sure that no paying guest helped with these sort of jobs, even if they offered, because it could lead to embarrassment in the future for Pontins.
At the A.G.M. on 26th March it was proposed and seconded that ALL Winter matches must be pegged.
Once again the old chestnut came up of barring silver and white ragworm baits, this time it was defeated again by only 1 vote - better luck next time!
May
In May we saw a new fishing rod come on the scene called the Bazooka Casting Gun. It was discussed at length and finally the Committee decided that this should be banned in all club matches and club-run Open matches.
It was in 1984 that the Committee decided against having a float in the Carnival procession - will we never again see Geoff Greenback as the White Rabbit?!
Another car Treasure Hunt was organised to take place this year after the success of the year previous.
It was agreed that the club should inform the Daily Star of any future noteworthy competitions, and it was felt that, if Pontins agreed, a competition in the paper could be run with a Fishing Week prize. This was taken up by Pontins and there was considerable response to the competition.
1985
May
It was in May that the Scanner Appeal was made by the James Paget hospital. It was agreed that, although we wouldn't send a donation as such, all profits from the disco being held in June would go to the appeal.
June
At the meeting there were many points brought up and discussed. Our Chairman, Arthur Pearce, sat puffing his pipe all evening with a rather 'Mona Lisa' expression on his face! At the end of the meeting he puffed a little harder, his cheeks went a little pinker, and to a hushed audience he told us that he had not won any cups while he was with the LSAS but his name was now in lights! We all waited in anticipation - another puff on the pipe - and we were told that he had just won 'Angler of the Year' with the Police club, with maximum points! Every good policeman gets his man, or is it fish? Well done Arthur, the club is proud of you.
November
Once again the subject of our own clubhouse came up, and it was suggested that we look into the possibility of leasing or buying a plot of land on the cliff-top, south of Pontins. This was agreed as a good idea, and should be looked into. It was also suggested that the club should purchase two ordinance survey maps, so that we could get more detail on which land we could use.
There had been many discussions regarding the S.C.A.A.A. over the past two or three years, and although some members thought we should enter teams for the events run by them, the difficulty had been finding members who were willing to be considered for fishing for the LSAS in these events. Several meetings of the S.C.A.A.A. had been attended by the Chairman, Secretary and Ronnie Barber, and considerations were always put before the Committee to discuss.
Our own Casting Tournament had been discussed several times and usually there was a lot of difficulty in finding the right site at the right time. However, as they say 'everything will be alright on the night' and it usually was with quite a number of members fighting it out to be the champion caster or most accurate, with a cup or shield to be won for the victors.
Many charity matches came to the fore and were discussed at length. It was not always possible to arrange matches for all of them, but usually we tried, as a club, to be fair to those who requested donations or a charity match arranged for them. Unfortunately, due to the decreasing number of competitors at some of these matches, the overall profit was not so much as in previous years, namely the Friends of Kelling and N.S.H.E.B.A. Perhaps one day we will all be pleasantly surprised at the number of competitors entering, thus a fatter cheque will be presented to those charities.
At the end of 1985 we saw a change in the ownership of the Victoria Hotel, where the LSAS have held their Committee meetings, AGM's and social events. However, our minds where put at rest when the new owners Mr and Mrs R. Taylor agreed to us using the facilities there.
1986
January
The January meeting in 1986 saw the Committee once again discussing the next Pontins Week to be held in September, always anxious to get things right for the main event of the year and the one that helps so much to boost club funds.
The Dinner/dance to be held in April was on the agenda and it was agreed that the Turkey could run free, we would have beef instead. It was proposed that we have the Trax Disco, but to limit the flashing lights, and more assorted music was required. What we miss is Mr St. Aubyn and the piano!
March
At the meeting in March the Committee heard that the Lowestoft Library was prepared to offer the club space for our posters to be displayed, and Geoff Greenbank undertook the task to design same.
April
The AGM took place on 1st April and the Chairman recorded that he was once again rather disappointed that there were only 20 members present from a club that boasted well over 100 members. The club had a healthy bank balance of £4,387.14p plus assets of £958.00 worth of stock.
It was proposed at this meeting that ALL members should be allowed to fish the Christmas Fare matches, irrespective of how many matches they had fished during the Winter season. This was carried, although it was set out that members must pay the entry fee for the Christmas matches at least one week before the dates of same to facilitate the correct numbers of prizes that would be required.
Once again the old chestnut came up that no baits should be barred in club matches, this was defeated by a vote of 6 in favour and 11 against.
An alteration to rule 10 to read that any fish hooked by more than one angler and/or caught on lost traces will be disqualified.
At the Committee meeting in April it was generally discussed that the Dinner/dance was a success, although there were a few grumbles about the food and the flashing lights of the disco (that confirms it - we do miss Mr St. Aubyn and his Concert parties!). However, the Secretary did inform the Committee that this was the best attended Dinner/dance for the past four years. Just because we were in the disco mood, two more were booked for July and September, the July one to have a caberet and the profits going to the Lifeboat appeal.
The constitution was agreed and six copies were to be ordered.
Access to the beach was discussed, and it was agreed to look into the possibility of access through the London Boys Club.
Geoff Greenbank said he 'knew a man who does' - that is does own a two mile stretch of the Waveney, and the Committee requested Geoff to look into it (no - not the river) and report back to the Committee.
June
Stan Gowen reported to the Committee in June that only 50 anglers had booked in so far for Pontins Week out of 900 guests booked in.
August
At the meeting in August, Stan was still worried that the anglers booking in for Pontins Fishing Week were well down and everyone hoped for a 'mad rush' very soon.
September
At the meeting at the beginning of September Stan beamed as he told the Committee that 'we now have several bookings for Pontins Week and there are no problems'. It was agreed that an air-horn be purchased so that Stan Gooderham could start the club matches with a good blast. It was either the horn or a tin of Zubes for his throat!
November
At the meeting in November the Chairman remarked on the 'healthy balance' of the club now. He felt it was about time that the club 'did something' with the money, and asked for ideas.
December
Don Pledger informed the Committee that the LSAS had been granted exclusive rights to use the London Boys Camp, and it was agreed that we could fill up the bad patches and put up a gate.
It was also agreed that the beach would be pegged either side if the Heathlands steps, and also when we used Pontins that there would be 12 pegs to the left and that the pegs to the right would start 3 pegs from the blockhouse - Pontins steps side.
1987
February
It was agreed that for the Dinner/dance prize presentation that we had given the turkeys enough time to graze and that they would be on the menu! The new Ministry size limits list was produced showing that the size limits for flounders had been increased to 9.8", and it was generally discussed if it was possible to weigh in undersize flounders at the waters' edge and return them live to the sea. Paul Willis was going to check with the Inspector of Fisheries on this point.
March
When Paul reported back he informed the Committee that he had been told by the Ministry that it was illegal to retain undersize fish dead or alive. It was decided to contact our Euro MP to see if some sort of exemption could be allowed for sport anglers. This meeting closed at 9.10pm, when a very surprised Geoff Greenbank arrived only to find that most members were drifting out of the room!
April
The AGM was held in April and several new roposals came onto the agenda. It was agreed that the evening club matches would be from 7.00pm to 10.00pm, and that the Sunday matches be from 9.00am to 12.30pm. Here is the one you have all been waiting for - at last - NO BAITS BARRED FROM CLUB MATCHES - relief at last for the poor old lugworm, who coul wriggle down his little hole and stay there for a little longer while his friend the silver ragworm could be thrown out into the blue.
A member present suggested that from club funds a mini-coach should be purchased to take members to away matches. This had a defeated vote.
May
It was at the May meeting this year that it was proposed that we should have a 'proper' band for the next Dinner/dance and this was agreed.
It was also at this meeting that it was first decided that a pictorial record be made up for the club. It was decided that a new cup should ome on the scene to be awarded to the best bass caught.
One of the Committee members, Mick Jolly, received congratulations for winning top place in the new Eastern Anglers Spannish holiday competition.
June
At the Jun meeting it was decided that the club should purchase a first aid kit which would be available at all matches.
July
In July we were informed by Mr Taylor of the Victoria Hotel that for all future functions that were held in the ballroom the charge woud have to be £75.
We still had a stock of the old blue/white T and sweatshirts, and it was agreed that these would be given to members with children, as all that were left were small sizes. A new order was adopted for sweatshirts and T-shirts with a small club badge on it. These were taken to the meeting in September, and it was agreed that they would be taken to Pontins during the Fishing Week and sold, as well as being generally available to members.
September
It was at this meeting that once again the pegs for the Winter matches came up at the Pontins venue. It was decided that 5 pgs should be placed North of the blockhouse.
October
At the meeting in October our President Mr David Gwynn joined the proceedings and thanked all concerned in the running of Pontins Week. He requested the services of the LSAS to help run another event at Pontins - namely the Silver Cod Trophy which was to be a beach only competition and run at the same time as the 60's week. It was proposed that we would help in any way we could and he was most grateful. It was agreed that possibly three of our members would be available if required.
November
At the Novmember 17th evening match disaster struck, when one of our members Albert Randlesome fell down the cliff and broke his ankle. This resulted in many members assisting him and also contacting rescue services etc. In view of this accident it was proposed that we contact Heathlands Caravan Site to offer assistance with the repair of the wooden steps if our club could have the rights to use them. It was decided that as Albert could not fish the Christmas Fare matches that the club should give him a bottle of whisky. We do not want any others doing the same thing so that they can get a bottle of the hard stuff! In view of this accident it was suggested that the club get quotations for a fully comprehensive insurance to cover members for accidents while fishing at club matches. A letter was also to be sent to our MP David Porter explaining to him that our club were not satisfied with the emergency services. Paul Willis obtained for the club a VHF radio which in future will be carried to all club matches so that information to emergency services can be relayed through to obtain a quicker service.
1988
January
In January 1988 it was once again proposed that the turkeys could go to roost and we would instead round up the cattle - Steak Chasseur was to be on the menu!
February
It was decided that at the AGM some of the rules for the club, and match/knockout rules were not clear enough and that these were to be rewritten and amended. This was put forward at the AGM in March and agreed that we do same.
March
It was at the AGM that our Chairman once again said that he would have liked to have seen more in attendance, and also that it would be encouraging to see more juniors join the club. He urged all present to do more in promoting the club to juniors.
An enormous cup, formerly the cup that Norwich and Lowestoft Town played for, was brought to the meeting. This was offered to the club if a suitable match could be arranged to 'do it justice'. It was generally felt that due to the high value of the cup that it couldn't be 'just any old match' and that with numbers dwindling in so many matches that the charity The Lowestoft Windows and Orphans would not beneit as much as members would like to see. The Secreatry would write to Mr High Simms, the Secretary of the L.W. and O. and explain the situation, and thank him for the offer to our club.
It was decided that as we had so many car stickers in our stock that the Secretary should enclose one in each newsletter that was sent out - fly the flag!
1989
February
At the meeting on February 2nd the pegs at Pontins were once again discussed, and they now go back again to three pegs to the North of the blockhouse. One of these days this will get sorted out!
June
It was decided at the June meeting that the Dinner/dance meal was not up to the standard this year, and that we should think about changing the venue for next year.
July
It was decided that we book at Hedley House for 28th April 1990.
August
Mr Taylor of the Victoria Hotel came to our meeting and was upset that we did not enjoy the meal, although as explained to him we, as a Committe, only did what the members of the association told us to do. As we had been requested by them to find an alternative venue for the next Dinner/dance, this did not necessarily reflect on every member present at the meeting, and did not mean that we would not return to the Victoria once again at a future date.
Well here we are at the end of the 1980's. There are many things that would take a book on their own - such as bank charges, taxman etc. The London Boys Club venue has now been completed with a road for our own exclusive use through to the cliff top, and steps cut out of the cliff to the beach. We still use the Pontins venue and also Holimarine at Hopton, for which we are grateful to the management of both. One wonders what the 1990's will bring forth and on to the year 2000........
