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We now have the go ahead for the 2009 season. Get in touch by Text, email or telephone. I will need full address in order to deliver permits. At present only people with the PE196 postcode are being accepted due to the number of swims abailable.
Meeting 31st October 2007 Pat Knight (Huntingdon countryside services) Ken Churchill (Parish, district and county councillor, Chantel Hagen (Natural England) & PE196 members.
Those who did attend did have some of their concerns and questions answered. Everybody left feeling the meeting had been of use.
Pat Knight will discuss our proposals/ideas at the management meeting due on the 14th November 2007. It appears NO ONE from PE196 will be required, despite the so called Friends of Paxton pits being able to take an active part.
Pat Knight has requested a further meeting with PE196 to take place as soon as possible after the 14th, in order to advise on the outcome of the meeting. Date & time to be confirmed.
Lake dispute sides to talk
by William Davison
will.davison@towncrierseries.co.uk
THE two sides in the dispute over fishing rights at Little Paxton Pits Nature Reserve have a chance to discuss their differences at a meeting later this month.
Anglers from the village are upset at a reduction in fishing opportunities, particularly at Cloudy Lake.
They have formed an action group, PE196, to voice protests at Huntingdonshire District Council's management of the gravel pits.
The council claims that anglers have caused environmental damage around the site and that Cloudy Lake is no longer suitable for fishing, as it is gradually filling in and getting covered by weeds.
Don Cook, from PE196, said of the meeting: "For some time now the concerns of the anglers of Little Paxton have been treated as a minority, who as individuals, have been told there is little or no requirement for angling at Little Paxton. HOC agreed to talk to anybody interested in angling.
"The meeting is the first chance for local anglers to ask questions such as 'Now HDC has secured the fishing rights from the owners Lafarge, why are they preventing angling, instead of embracing a natural and educational hobby?'
"HDC has agreed to listen, comment and answer the local anglers. The meeting is a chance for all those who have questioned some of the
Angling group to meet with council
management actions, obligations, commitments, angling restrictions (specifically the Cloudy Lake), be discussed rather than dismissed."
Pat Knight, head of countryside services at the council, said: "I will be turning up to answer the questions they have sent me to the best of my ability.
"I will go through the old agreements and show that what we are trying to do is part of the agreement that goes back 20 years."
Mr Knight also revealed that, although he was hoping for a positive meeting, it might be difficult to find a solution acceptable to both sides.
He said: "It's difficult to know what middle ground there is. When you have a lake that is suffering from natural progression there isn't really a middle ground, as we don't have the money to spend dredging it.
"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to give them what they want."
Mr Knight hopes that Chantal Hagen from Natural England, which monitors the area's Site of Special Scientific Interest status, will also attend the meeting to discuss the district council's management of it.
The meeting is taking place on Wednesday, (October 31) at 7.30pm at Little Paxton village hall.
HDC are to meet PE196 at Little Paxton village hall 7:30pm 31st October 2007. The meeting is to discuss local concerns at the reduction/prohibition of fishing on the section of the reserve predominantly used by the residents of Little Paxton.
HDC has to take on board the residents comments as part of their responsibility as the current management.
The meeting will allow the residents to have their voice heard and hopefully acted upon.
So you can ask & comment on whatever you feel is important
If Pe196 is to succede make sure YOU put forward your support and comments to Will wil.davison@towncrierseries.co.uk Click on the above link to see the article
As requested I have contacted Jonathan Djanogly. In his response his very supportive of our campaign to improve access for local anglers. he is unable to attend our meeting on the 2nd of October in the village hall. He is however willing to take up the case & make representations to the Lafarge if our requests for dialogue continue to flounder. Jonathan has asked me to let him know the outcome of the meeting.
13/9/07
PE196 have booked Little Paxton village hall from 7.30pm on the 2nd October. I have invited Ken Churchill (parish,district & county councillor) Pat Knight (head of countryside services) Jim Stevenson (head warden) & Jonathan Djanogly MP. I don't yet know if they will turn up but if they are there you can use the meeting to ask questions, make suggestions. Don't miss out.
24th August 2007
Ken Churchill informed me Pat Knight is preparing lease agreement. He will chase for meeting date after the Bank Holiday
Message from Jim Stevenson (Head ranger)
28th August 2007
We've hit an obstacle in that St Neots Angling club have made an objection to our plan to give free fishing. They pay for all their fishing they get from us.
I have heard nothing back from our legal people regarding the draft agreement which I sent two weeks ago, or my questions regarding insurance etc.
I suspect this is going top drag on. Meanwhile Don, Kevin and the club can continue to fish the beach despite their being no agreement at present.
Jim
My reply
Thank you for the update.
The original plan behind PE196 still stands. The club was formed to allow free fishing to under sixteen year olds, who live within Little Paxton.
I would purchase the lease from Lafarge. Those under twelve would have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If the guardian or parent wanted to purchase a family ticket, this would allow any visiting relatives (or friends) to fish the lake and reduce the requirement for day tickets. It was NOT my intention for HDC to be the providers of free fishing.
As for insurance, at our inaugural meeting it was agreed that all members were responsible for their own safety in the same way that parking in a car park, you do so at your own risk.
As only local people are to be invited to join PE196 they are all aware that wet mud and grass is slippery, they are also aware the countryside can be dirty and smelly. This is NOT a commercial money making enterprise, just the locals enjoying the use of their LNR.
Maybe this will help you remove the obstacle of St Neots Angling, who are a commercial enterprise and good luck to them.
Best regards
Don Cook
Pat Knight (head of HDC Countryside services) will contact PE196 to arrange a date to meet. I am certain that whatever date we choose, not everyone will be available. Please use Your comments to post your questions, suggestions, comments etc. If you click here you will be transported to the comments section.
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