Club History

Our History, 1922 - 1997

After a meeting in the Preston Library Hall by our original members to discuss the formation of an angling club, Mr F.P. Bird J.P. called the club's first official meeting in the Preston Town Hall on July 4th. The following gentlemen were elected to the various offices viz:

President: Mr. F.P. Bird J.P

Vice Presidents:
Messrs H.P. Zwar J.P, J.W.Holliday, J.E. Thomson, J.Sinclair, Cr. McFadyen.

General & Social Committee:
Messrs J.E. Thomson, J.W. Holliday, T.Sinclair, J.S. Hopkins, C.Whittig.

Angling Committee:
Messrs V.E. Davies, W. Smith, Cr McFadyen

Honorary Secretary:
Mr R.J. Wheelens

Honorary Assis. Secretary:
Mr. V.E. Davies

Honorary Treasurer:
Mr A.F. Deakin J.P.

Auditors:
Mr. llewellyn Jones and Mr J.S. Hopkins

Trustees:
Messrs H.P. Zwar, A.F. Deakin J.P., J.W. Holliday

V.P.C. Delegates:
Messrs C. Harrigan, E. Gardener

What an active body of men and of vision they proved to be, for within a few weeks, through the generosity of Mr. H.P. Zwar, who loaned the club 75 pounds, they purchased the land in Murray Rd - where our clubrooms stand today. After devoting much of their time and labour, this same body of men finally took occupancy of the clubrooms in 1923. The club was then faced with a debt of 350 pounds which 200 pounds was a loan from the local branch of the United Ancient Order of Druids Society at an interest rate of 6 percent. With the acquisition of new members, the issue of 1 pound debentures, the holding of Euchre parties, socials and social efforts, the debt was finally paid out in 1930. Quite an achievement considering the times and that they still took part in club competitions, and stocking of local streams and lakes. Many who purchases debentures donated them back to the club. A ladies committee was formed and was instrumental in raising over 100 pounds for the building fund besides helping in many social functions.

In the first year of the club, membership was 113, then slowly dropped until in the thirty's it was 65. It started to rise again until 1947 where it stood at 156 and had maintained approximately 160 or more to this day.

Foundation members of the Preston Angling Club

In 1926 due to the untiring effort of Mr A.F. Deakin J.P. the club approached the Preston City Council with a request to install a trout hatchery at Edwardes Park Lake at Reservoir. After agreeing to finance the scheme for 50 pounds if the club would maintain the hatchery, the MMBW refused to install a pump so the scheme was dropped. Mr Deakin then installed and operated a hatchery in the rear of his home where a 97% success rate was obtained. In 1928 28,000 fry were released into Edwardes Park Lake, 1929 32,700, and in 1930 32,735, a remarkable achievement for a backyard hatchery. In 1931 the Preston Council with a working party from the club erected a hatchery at the lake and further good liberations were made. When Redfin were discovered in the lake it was decided to release yearlings instead of fry. Later owing to alterations to parklands and other causes, the liberations ceased. fish to 4 pounds were recorded as being caught in the lake in the years that followed.