Weymouth Angling clubhouse to be demolished

[Dave.S]

Hi everyone

I have just recieved a statement from Mark Lloyd Chief Executive of the Angling Trust which I have copied to here:

Save Weymouth Angling Club from Eviction

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has been served Weymouth Angling Club with a notice to bring to an end the lease on its harbourside club house so that it can be demolished to make way for a car park. 113 year old Weymouth Angling Club is one of the best in the country with over 400 members and a thriving junior section and has been based on the site for nearly forty years.

The Angling Trust has offered to support the club in its battle with the Council and has issued an appeal to all anglers to contact local Weymouth Councillors before a crucial vote at 10am on Monday 21 October. Details of all Councillors can be found at webapps-wpbc.dorsetforyou.com/apps/democracy/councillors.asp .The highest priority councillors are those representing wards in Weymouth, as well as Ray Banham the Liberal Democrat Mayor.

All the members of the club are furious about the proposals and frightened for the future of their club if the Council decides to demolish their club house to make space for more cars. They point out that there are plenty of parking spaces available in the nearby Pavilion car park, and there is a park and ride scheme in operation.

Weymouth Angling Club Chairman Billy Short said: “This club house is of vital importance not only to our members, but also to the economy of Weymouth, because angling visits generate hundreds of thousands of pounds in income for the town. People come from all over the country to fish in and around Weymouth. To lose it for a few more car parking spaces is tragic, after nearly 40 years of us operating from this site. We are determined to fight this all the way.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “these proposals have sickened anglers throughout the country. Weymouth is one of the most important ports for sea angling in the whole of the UK, and just last week hosted the Angling Trust’s National Boat Championships. The Council should be celebrating the fact that it has a thriving community club in the heart of the town providing – sustainable and wholesome activity for young people that teaches them about the sea, gets them in the outdoors and encourages healthy eating. Instead they want to knock down 40 years of angling heritage, destroy a 113 year old angling club and create a few extra car parking spaces.”

List of Councillors

Jane Hall, Weymouth East, Conservative

John Birtwistle, Weymouth East, Liberal Democrat

Dominic Lonsdale, Weymouth West, Conservative

Richard Kosior, Weymouth West, Conservative

Colin Huckle, Weymouth West, Labour

Contact them here: webapps-wpbc.dorsetforyou.com/apps/democracy/councillors.asp as soon as possible before the deadline of 10am on Monday morning, and let them know what you think about the proposals.



There is also a petition where you can sign into

www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-weymouth-angling-society/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend



I am sure if this was happening to your club you would want as much support as we could muster so lets help our fellow anglers, do send your thoughts to those councillors listed above and sign the petition.



Dave

[Sunny]

Thanks for bringing this one to our attention Dave

[Dave.S]

Hi all

It seems the councillors backed down with all the support and TV news report, however it has to go onto another meeting on the 5th Nov.
If anyone here signed the petition many thanks

For what it is worth Mark Lloyd from the Angling Trust turned up in person and voiced his concerns which may have helped.

I will try to keep you updated.

Dave

[Sunny]

Good result Dave...lets hope the next meeting is as conclusive