1. OBJECTIVES: To promote social and sporting activities for the benefit of the members. In
furtherance of said objectives, but not otherwise, the Club through its Executive Committee shall
have the following powers:
a. To raise funds by means of such lotteries, draws and other events as are permitted and
conducted in accordance with the law. Promoter’s decision to be final on all lotteries draws etc.
b. To receive subscriptions from members.
c. To hold meetings, social functions and sporting events, not of a political or sectarian nature.
d. To rent or purchase waters / real estate to provide facilities for the members.
e. To expend funds to improve Club’s facilities e.g. Hire plant, Purchase materials, Procure fish
stocks. Spending shall not jeopardise next season’s predicted out goings e.g. mortgage / loan
repayments, rents for waters, nor be expended to prejudice Club’s capital reserves unless
otherwise authorised by the members. All expenditure to be pre-authorised by the Executive
Committee.
2. If agreed by two-thirds majority vote of those members attending a Special or Annual General
Meeting of the Club the Committee shall be authorised to:
a. Acquire by purchase or otherwise real estate on behalf of the Club.
b. Borrow money for the purposes of the Club from commercial or private sources secured on the
Club property.
c. Current limitation of borrowing power; one hundred and thirty thousand pounds (£130,000).
3. MEMBERSHIP: Shall be open to anglers on payment of the annual subscription, and will be valid
for the period:16 June to 15 June inclusive. A condition of membership is that the individual agrees
in full the benefits and limitations of the Club’s Constitution and Rules.
4. Honorary Membership to be proposed by the Committee and granted only at the discretion of
AGM. Can be revoked, is not permanent.
5. Life Membership to be proposed by the Committee and granted only at the discretion of AGM.
6. Members shall pay a yearly subscription as determined by the Executive Committee and
approved by the majority of members attending a SGM or AGM of the Club.
7. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Note: There is a £20 Admin Fee for replacing lost membership booklets and a 2
Rod ticket maximum for all new members for their first season.
a. Adult (19 yrs to 64 yrs)…...............................……………………….………..£70-00
b. Senior Citizen (65 yrs & over), Teenager 17-18 yrs,….……………….…....£50-00
c. Juniors 15 and 16 yrs………………………………………..……………......£10-00
d. Assist & Juniors 14 yrs and under (must be adult accompanied) …….....£10-00
e. Third Rod Permit: In additional to above, an extra…………….………….£30-00
f. Sea section only - Senior (17 yrs & over)............……..……….……………..£ 7-00
g. Sea section only - Junior (16 yrs and under) …................................……..£ 2-00
Guest Day Tickets - Members are permitted to pre-book 2 guest day tickets per season. Member
responsible for guest’s actions and must fish same or adjacent swim. Guest ticket must be
displayed in car window as normal membership booklet. Cost £10 per ticket dawn-to-dusk only.
8. MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS: The members shall have full rights to vote at all AGM and SGM of the
Club and enjoy the facilities of the Club. Members not attending the Meeting and who have not
arranged in writing proxy vote(s), agree to forfeit their voting rights for the business conducted at
that Meeting. In light of this condition, all members are strongly advised to attend the Club’s SGM
and AGM.
9. The Club facilities may be withheld at the Committee’s discretion if any member contravenes
rules or is considered guilty of gross misconduct prejudicial to the comfort of other members or the
goodwill of the Club. In the case of bans, no reimbursement of subscriptions will be made.
Starting in the 2025/26 season a combimation lock will be fitted to the main access gate. Any
member found sharing the combination code or damaging the lock will be banned.
10. AMENDEMENT OF CONSTITUTION or RULES: The Club’s Constitution and Rules may be added to,
repealed or amended by a resolution passed at an AGM or SGM of the Club by a majority of the
members voting on it. Extant Rules ratified at each AGM.
11. Without prejudicing the overarching authority vested in the Trustees, the following cannot be
otherwise changed without an 80 percent agreement of Club members: In order for the Club to
voluntarily dispose of its valuable real estate / property / asset(s), at least 80 percent of all Club
members must first agree the disposal.
12. MEETINGS: The AGM of the Club shall be in March or as otherwise notified. The AGM shall be
called by giving not less than 2 months notice, and business to be discussed at the AGM shall be
provided to the Club’s Secretary in writing at least 14 days prior to that AGM. SGM of the Club
shall be called if the need arises, at least 14 days notice shall be given for a SGM. Five members
personally present shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Club,providing two of those
present shall be officers of the Club. All meetings shall be considered confidential Club business,
visible to Club members only.
13. Due to the uniqueness of membership of the Club; No postal notification for Meetings
or Meeting’s business shall be given. Postal ballots will not be conducted or accepted. Non
attending members may register their proxy vote(s) for a meeting’s business, in writing to the
Club’s Secretary or Chairman prior to that meeting. Timely receipt of written proxy vote(s) is
member’s responsibility.
14. NOTICES: Any notification or temporary ruling required to be given to the members shall be
deemed to be duly given if displayed on Club’s notice board at Swanton Morley Fishery entrance
and, when possible secondary notification will be promulgated on the club’s website:
http://www.derehamdistrictanglingclub.com
15. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: An Executive Committee of members shall be responsible for the
management and administration of the Club and its assets. The Committee shall consist of the
Officers, Representatives, and the Committee Members.
The Officers shall consist of: Chairman. Vice-Chairman. Club Treasurer. Club Secretary.
The Representatives shall consist of: Minute Secretary. Coarse Match Secretary. Sea Match
Secretary. Membership Secretary Pest Control Rep. Health & Safety Rep. Club Bailiffs.
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16. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt further members. Officers, Representatives,
and Committee shall be elected at the AGM and nominations will be accepted from the floor.
If nominations exceed number of vacancies, a ballot shall take place in such a manner as
shall be determined. Election of Officers shall be completed before election of Representatives
and Representatives prior to election of Committee members. Eligibility to serve as Chairman,
Secretary, Treasurer or Vice Chairman of the Club, an individual must have been a DDAC
member for two consecutive years and live in Norfolk. Officers, Representatives, and Committee
members shall not be members of any other angling club’s or syndicate’s committee, and must
be members of DDAC. Eligibility to serve on Club’s Executive Committee, an individual must have
been a DDAC member for the last two consecutive years.
17. The Executive Committee shall have the right to fill casual vacancies occurring amongst
the Officers, Representatives, and Committee of the Club. Officers and Representatives are
automatically members of the Executive Committee. An Executive Committee member missing
3 consecutive meetings without submitting prior apology is deemed to have resigned from the
Committee.
18. The Committee shall meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Matters discussed will be
treated sensitively and not disclosed to any third party outside of the Club’s meetings unless
authorised by Committee.
19. The Committee shall have the power to close any of the Club’s waters at the Committee’s
discretion, notably for work parties, maintenance and matches. Advance notice given where
possible.
20. SUB-COMMITTEES: The Executive Committee shall constitute such sub-committees from time
to time as deemed necessary for such purposes as required. The Chairman and Secretary of
each sub-committee shall be reported to and be confirmed by the Executive Committee as soon
as possible. Members of the Executive Committee may be members of a sub-committee and
membership of a sub-committee shall be no bar to appointment to membership of the Executive
Committee. Sub-committees shall be regulated or dissolved by the Executive Committee.
21. TRUSTEES: The Club shall appoint not less than two (2) and not more than four (4) Trustees. Being
a Trustee is no bar from being a member of the Club’s Executive Committee, however the two
appointments are held in isolation. The Trustees will have no executive power other than those
legally required of Trustees, but include:
a. To have vested in their names all property and assets of the Club to hold for and on behalf of
the Club.
b. The Trustees must deal with the property / assets of the Club as directed by resolution of the
Club’s AGM / SGM.
c. Should the Club develop an inability to repay its mortgage or loan, the Trustees will have the
authority to compel the Club to dispose its property / assets in order to pay off outstanding sums.
d. The Trustees will be indemnified by the Club against risk and expense out of the Club property /
assets.
e. Name address and contact details of the Trustees are to be registered with the Club Secretary
and recorded at the Land Registry and HMRC.
f. On the resignation or death of a Trustee, the Executive Committee shall seek a replacement.
22. ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS: The financial year of the Club shall end on 31 December.
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23. The Club shall maintain Bank Account(s) in the Club’s name. All interest earned will be paid
into earning account.
Cheques drawn require the signature of the Club Treasurer and, either the Club Secretary or
Chairman. All invoices require the signature of the Club Treasurer as authority for payment.
24. Nomination of any signatories to sign for a formal / legal loan and / or mortgage on behalf of
the Club shall be by agreement of the majority of those members attending a SGM or AGM of the
club so called to authorise such activity.
25. The Club Treasurer shall keep accurate records and accounts of the Club’s financial
transactions and present these for auditing annually at the end of the Club’s financial year and
prior to the AGM. Audited accounts shall be presented at the AGM.
26. In pursuance of the authority vested in the Committee by the members of the Club, the
members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the members of the Club against any liabilities
properly incurred by them on behalf of the Club where the contract is of a duly authorised nature
or could be reasonably assumed to be of a duly authorised nature and is entered into on behalf
of the Club.
27. COVENANTS (Covenants on the Club may never be altered or deleted).
a. Dissolution of Club: If the Club should fold, its real estate and all other assets must be sold on the
open market at commercial value. All proceeds from the sale together with all assets in the Club’s
bank account(s) shall be used to satisfy any outstanding mortgage, loan or other debt. All residual
funds to be given over to a charity, or held in trust to restart club if necessary. This covenant of the
club can never be altered.
b. Stocking: On purchasing Swanton Morley Fishery a legal agreement was signed stating the
SMF must remain a mixed species fishery, and never become a carp fishery or any of its waters
dominated by carp. This covenant of the club can never be altered.
28. MINUTES: The Club Secretary shall keep minutes of all SGM and AGM of the Club. He/she
shall maintain the Club’s correspondence, keeping adequate records as necessary. The Minute
Secretary will keep minutes of all Executive Committee Meetings.
29. TEMPORARY MEMBERS: Match guests and Guest Day Ticket members shall be bound by the
rules that apply to the Club waters, but will not be entitled to full Club membership rights and will
not qualify for match or specimen fish awards.
30. MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION: The Club is a member of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal.
31. CLUB WATERS: The Club’s fisheries comprise:
a. TG18189 Swanton Morley Fishery, Worthing Rd, Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4QD.
b. TG026178 River Wensum, Castle Farm, Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4JT. - J. Carrick.
32. MATCH SPONSORSHIP Adult club matches are not sponsored from Club funds! Coarse Junior
matches will have a prize money purse of ten pounds (£10-00) for each match (maximum of 3). To
be distributed by Match Secretary.
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33. CHALLENGE CUPS AND AWARDS: The Club has a number of perpetual trophies, to hold one of
these for twelve months the angler must satisfy the following criteria:
a. Any fish qualifying for an award must be caught by fair means and in accordance with Club
rules, during the period 15 March to 14 March.
b. Must be verified by two responsible persons/witnesses (who are not related to the claimant)
whose names and addresses must be supplied with the claim. Second witness not required if Club
official witnesses fish.
c. The Committee have the right to test the scales on which the fish was weighed and amend the
recorded weight if necessary.
d. Entry must be made within 14 days of capture, and any person entering a fish for an award
must have been a Club member for a minimum of 7 days.
e. The fish must have been caught in the County of Norfolk in a water that is freely available by
open Club membership, Day ticket, or free fishing. Fish caught in Club matches may be entered
and will qualify.
f. Where two fish of the same weight are entered, the first one entered will qualify.
g. In any dispute the Committee’s decision shall be final
34. CUPS AND TROPHIES: All Club perpetual Cups and Trophies shall be lightly cleaned with silver
polish and returned by the 1st March each year, to the Club’s Chairman or any of the Club’s
Committee Members. Miniature keepsake trophies shall be awarded to all Junior winners.