Over 50 members attended the 130th annual prizegiving / dinner of the Long Eaton Victoria Angling Society, which was held at Brennans in Long Eaton on Saturday 17th April.

Members enjoyed an excellent three course meal, a variety of quiz questions, superb company and a raffle.  The club's trophies were awarded to the previous season's winners by long standing friend of Long Eaton Victoria Angling Society, Counsellor Bill Camm (assisted by Club President John Adams and Secretary Dave Kent).

Members were reminded that the age limit for Junior Membership has been raised by one year, and that anyone under 17 years of age on 1 May will now qulaify for Junior Membership.  The Society has also frozen its membership fees for the next two years.

Members will be pleased to hear that further stocks of carp have been introduced to Grange Pond.

On 19 March 2010, approximately 350 carp, all purchased from our usual supplier (Quiet Sports) were successfully released to the pond.  The fish,  a mixture of commons and mirrors ranging in size between minimum 12 oz to over 2 lb should give an immediate boost to sport.

Top three photographs show Dave Kent 'modelling' samples of the larger carp.  Middle row left and middle show smallest mirror & common, middle right shows another decent fish.  Bottom row shows some of the fish being released.

LEVAS is hoping to increase the size of its team of Bailiffs in the near future and anyone with an interest is invited to apply.

A knowledge of angling is useful, but not essential, and the task may appeal to anyone who enjoys walking close to waterways as well as anglers.  Please refer to "Our Waters" on this website for details of the venues that require coverage, which include rivers, canals and still waters.

LEVAS are flexible regarding venues, time and frequency each individual could offer, these being completely negotiable to suit both parties.

If you are interested please contact our General Secretary, David Kent, on 0115 8492854, who will be pleased to discuss options.

LEVAS member Dave Mayo landed a creditable 6th place in the Anging Trust's Veteran's National Championships which was fished by well over 200 at Dynamite Baits Makins fishery.

Above Left, Dave Mayo receiving his medal from Terry Fell of the Angling Trust.

Above right, Dave with his medal.

Dave, fishing peg 26 on Lake 1, fished pellet waggler towards an island to land 33.900 kilos (around 74 lb 10 oz) of carp, and had top weight on the Lake.

Of the other local anglers in the top third, Pete Warren weighed in 18.3 kilos from Lake 5 peg 4 for 35th place, Dave Kent was in 42nd place with 16.8 kilo from Lake 4 peg 6.

LEVAS members will be pleased to hear that once again the whole of Grange Pond is accessible for angling.

Over the past week a team of workers and volunteers (under the daily supervision of Water Management Committee Chairman Paul Richardson) has transformed the fishery.

The old 'submerged' fishing positions have been removed from the lake, and have been replaced by 28 purpose built steel framed platforms, each topped with concrete 'slabs' to ensure comfortable and safe positioning of anglers. The steel platforms were made by John Whiteman Engineering & Powder Coating, of Long Eaton (0115 9468566).

To facilitate this, a good level pathway has been constructed around the lake, and trees and bushes trimmed back to a safe and acceptable level. 

 Top left shows platform under construction.  Top Right shows pathway behind pegs 26-29.

Bottom left shows close-up of a completed platform. Botton middle and bottom right show views of Grange Pond and how platforms blend in to the bankside.

 Grange Pond now offers members excellent car parking, good (level) access to the water, a decent level path around the lake, the existing (two) purpose built disabled fishing positions, and 28 new platforms (30 comfortable and safe fishing positions in total).