About TWAPS

The Thameside Works Angling Preservation Society (TWAPS) is a fishing club situated in North West Kent and manages several fishing lakes and a stretch of river on behalf of it’s membership. The club mainly covers the Gravesend, Northfleet, Dartford, Medway (including Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham), Maidstone and surrounding areas. The club has both day ticket and Members only waters. The club was originally known as Thameside Works Angling Club and was formed by the local factory angling clubs, e.g. Bowaters, Everards, Kent Kraft, Paper Sacks, Northfleet Power Station, A E I, plus Amalgamated Works, a club formed to cater for associate members who fished the Blue Lake at Northfleet. See more of our club history below…

Club History
Associate members bought a two and sixpence annual fishing permit, and Blue Circle (as it was then) suggested that a properly constituted organisation be set up at a meeting held in the Blue Circle Club during 1952. Each member club was represented at committee meetings held monthly and the organisation grew from strength to strength. The Blue Lake was at that time recognised as arguably the best fishery in the South East, but on the 17th November 1973 a massive oil spill decimated the fishery making it unfishable with membership declining to about 100 members only. Bromley Angling Club offered the use of their waters for several years until the Blue Lake recovered thus keeping the core of membership together. At present Thameside controls several fisheries, with a membership of approximately 700.

Members fishing any club water do so at their own risk.

You can contact TWAPS by using the Contact Form.

Fish Care

Fish care: How to look after your catch

Applying the right kind of fish care helps your catch recover from wounds and helps to prevent secondary infection

For all anglers fish care should be a top priority. Fish are surrounded by potentially harmful pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. The mucus layer on fish acts as a physical barrier to infectious organisms, and can prevent secondary infections on areas of minor physical damage.

Angler intervention could provide some benefit in waters where fish are stressed, possibly relating to overstocking or poor water quality, which may result in a compromised immune system.

A fish care kit is small bottle of serum or lotion that is designed to reduce infection in any area where a fish may become damaged. These can be areas such as hook point punctures, missing scales or even bites inflicted by predators.

A wound, such as hook damage to the mouth, should first be treated with an antiseptic by applying the liquid by squeezing some on a cotton bud and rubbing in to the wound. This treatment kills any pathogens present and to help prevent future infection. The would should then be sealed with an impermeable barrier. This ensures that the contact of the antiseptic with the damaged area remains for a reasonable time, and act as a physical barrier, in much the same way that a natural layer of mucus does.

Details regarding work parties can be found in this Article.

Committee & Bailiffs

All Committee Members and Bailiffs are volunteers who give up their time freely to help ensure that the club is run as well as it can be and to provide help, assistance and guidance with your fishing and related matters.

Committee Members are normally elected at an Annual General Meeting, or an Emergency General Meeting, and to maintain continuity, serve for a set continuous period of time before standing for election or until resignation. The period of time each Committee Member serves is as follows: Chairman – 5 years, Treasurer – 4 years, all other Committee Members – 3 years.

These people are here to help, so if you have any questions, observations or other queries, or just want a friendly chat, on anything to do with TWAPS, it’s fisheries or other related matter, just ask (you can use the Contact form). They will do their best to answer your query.

TWAPS Committee Roles and Responsibilities

Document version: 1.1
Last updated: 28th February 2024

1 Committee Roles and Responsibilities

1.1 All committee members

All committee members will be expected to undertake the following general responsibilities:

• attend committee meetings on designated dates and participate in committee discussions.
• carry out any tasks as may be reasonably requested by other committee members.
• support any committee member in carrying out their duties.
• keep an accurate record of any out of pocket expenses incurred, e.g. printing, postage, fuel, etc.

1.2 Chairperson

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Chairperson shall:

• chair committee meetings on designated dates and participate in committee discussions.
• ensure that meetings adhere to a code of conduct in order to ensure an efficient use of time.
• see that any business discussed and resulting in a vote or decision of action is in accordance with current rules & bye-laws of the Society.
• act as the Society’s representative, where appointed, to further the aims of the Society, e.g. renewal of leases/licenses, planning, meetings with outside sources, etc.
• ensure that committee members are kept aware of any legislative matters relevant to the society by email, text or any other means, as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the club.
• arrange insurances on club property/assets where necessary.
• Arrange sufficient matches for the Chairman’s Shield.

1.3 Society Secretary

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Secretary shall:

For General Meetings:

• record minutes of meetings and distribute/email copies to the committee together with an agenda for the next meeting. The minutes should be sent to members within 10 days of the committee meeting in question where possible.
• ensure a hall booking is made and catering organised if required.
• maintain a register of attendance at committee meetings.
• record and report on all inwards and outwards correspondence.
• write to any party as directed by the committee/Chairman, keeping copies for reference.
• take over the Chairman’s function in his absence at any meeting.

For the Annual General Meeting:

• ensure that a date and venue are agreed by the committee well in advance.
• ensure that the necessary facilities are made available for the meeting.

1.4 Society Head Bailiff

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Head Bailiff shall:

• ensure enough bailiffs are available to cover all Society waters at all times, arranging a rota cover to suit all bailiffs. This could include opening Shorne Country Park gates for early morning anglers. (Owners permitting).
• ensure that all anglers, members and day ticket holders alike, adhere to Society Rules & Bye-laws at all times.
• show tolerance at all times
• keep lakes and banks free of rubbish
• monitor the fisheries and report to the committee any problems e.g. vandalism, fish welfare, water levels, routine maintenance and any safety issues.
• arrange work parties on all club waters throughout the year for general maintenance of the Societies waters. Liaise with Society Website Administrator to send out notifications accordingly asking for volunteers.
• arrange or approve minor maintenance carried out by bailiffs/committee members/general members as required, retaining records of work done and any costs involved.
• for more substantial work deemed necessary, e.g. bank stabilization, de-silting, reed clearing etc. make details available to the committee in the form of a structured plan including costs, specification and time scales etc. and then take forward and implement any suggestions made by the committee.
• keep members up-to-date regarding water closures due to maintenance or matches.
• liaise with other bailiffs and arrange regular bailiff meetings, one to two weeks prior to the Society committee meetings and produce a single report.

1.5 Society Membership Secretary

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Membership Secretary shall:

• maintain a database of membership for all members including non-fishing permits issued.
• issue membership cards and I.D. cards, to new and existing members as required.
• design or arrange the layout of the membership application forms and cards as necessary to keep up to date with any changes that may occur during the forthcoming year.
• liaise with the Society Website Administrator as necessary to keep members informed of any changes regarding membership renewal fees etc.
• collect any monies for membership subscription and forward to the Society Treasurer.
• maintain a waiting list for future membership.

1.6 Society Treasurer

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Treasurer shall:

• control and oversee Society funds, arranging and making payments as deemed necessary by various means including arranging standing orders and direct debits.
• check suppliers invoices for accuracy and arrange payment thereof, on a timely basis.
• supply a monthly analysis of the Society’s bank accounts to allow committee members to understand income and expenditure, prior to the monthly committee meeting.
• arrange an annual audit of the Societies monies.

1.7 Society Competition Secretary

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Competition Secretary shall:

• notify the committee of any match results and forthcoming fixtures
• book match venues for the following year which involves liaising with various fisheries.
• allocate trophies/replicas as appropriate for the matches to be fished or those generally awarded over the season
• ensure that a match calendar is published on the website along with match results when available
• keep a record of match points throughout the season. Pass details to Society Website Administrator and the Society Secretary.
• choose trophies and arrange all engraving for winners and runners-up.
• present trophies to winners at the AGM, or alternative venue subject to circumstances concerning presentation time and meeting.
• choose and book the venue for the Fur & Feather Match for a date in December.
• book the venue for after-match activities, e.g. Prize giving, raffle, food etc.
• purchase raffle prizes, tickets and fishing prizes to values to be agreed by the committee

1.8 Society Website Administrator

In addition to the general responsibilities, the Society Website Administrator shall:

• report to the committee on a regular basis on any updates to the website, visitor statistics and any notable activity on relevant Social Media feeds that are related to the Society.
• liaise with the Web Designer/Host arranging updates of the website with match information, newsletters, latest news and announcements, gallery pictures and videos, competitions and other items of interest, as well as other requirements as directed by the committee.
• maintain and control any Social Media pages and groups as deemed necessary in conjunction with other administrators.
• assist with the production and distribution of any other communication to the membership as and when required.

Committee Members are normally elected at an Annual General Meeting, or an Emergency General Meeting, and to maintain continuity, serve for a set continuous period of time before standing for election or until resignation. The period of time each Committee Member serves is as follows: Chairperson – 5 years, Treasurer – 4 years, all other Committee Members – 3 years.

The Treasurer was last elected at the 2024 Annual General Meeting.

The Chairperson and Head Bailiff were last elected at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.

All the other Committee Members were elected at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Dennis Hammond
(Chairperson)
Due for re-election in 2030

Mick Mount
(Vice Chairman)
(Society Secretary)
Due for re-election in 2026

Ian Ogilvie
(Treasurer)
Due for re-election in 2028

Jeff Buxton
(Membership Secretary)
Due for re-election in 2026

Brian Potter
(Match Secretary)
Due for re-election in 2026

Marc Mayhew
(Website Administrator)

Bill Hargreaves
(Head Bailiff)
Due for re-election in 2028

Carl Tate
(Welfare Officer)
Due for re-election in 2026

Roger Buck<ber)
br />(Committee MemDue for re-election in 2026

Barry Law
(Committee Member)
Due for re-election in 2026

Jenny Mount
(Committee Member)
Due for re-election in 2026

Debe Smith
(Committee Member)
Due for re-election in 2026

Frank Allen
(Committee Member)

Jimmi Smith
(Committee Member)

Phil Townsend
(Committee Member)
Due for re-election in 2026

You can read an Introduction by Billy Hargreaves, Head Bailiff here.

Billy Hargreaves
(Head Bailiff)

Allan Chandler
(Assistant Head Bailiff)

Dennis Hammond
–

Phil Townsend
–

Stuart Fritter
–

Barry Law
–

Carl Tate
–

Jimi Smith

Tony Barham
–

Frank Allen
–

Terry Stedman
–

Scott Mullins
–

Geoff Tarrant
–

Ryan Cronin
–

Lee Wilson
–

James Searles
–

Nick Dahmen
–

TWAPS Constitution

Document version: 1.4
Last updated: 7th February 2025

1 The Society

1.1 The Society shall be called Thameside Works Angling and Preservation Society (hereinafter called the ‘Society’).

1.2 The Headquarters shall be such a place as the Society shall determine.

1.3 The objectives of the Society shall be:-

• The provision, retention and preservation of angling facilities and amenities for Members.
• To acquire by any legal means howsoever, fishing rights to any waters whatsoever.
• The promotion of social activities amongst and between Members and others, and further the angling interests of the Members.

1.4 The Society shall not be dissolved as long as fifteen (15) Members are willing to continue it. In the event of dissolution, the property of the Society shall be sold, and after all liabilities have been paid, the balance shall be awarded to the Societies nominated charities.

2 Membership

2.1 Applications for membership are subject to Committee approval and must be accompanied by one (1) passport size photograph of the applicant. The Committee may determine the manner in which an application for membership can be made and refuse an application for membership without giving a reason.

2.2 The Committee has the discretion to award or revoke life membership as deemed appropriate.

2.3 All fees and subscriptions are non-refundable and are determined by the committee.

2.4 Membership shall be considered lapsed if subscription is not fully paid by April 1st each year (at the discretion of the Society Membership Secretary).

2.5 A junior is somebody who is aged five (5) years or older and has not yet reached their twelfth (12) birthday at the start of the current season. An intermediate is somebody who reached their twelfth (12) birthday but has not yet reached their eighteenth (18) birthday at the start of the current season. A senior citizen is somebody who is aged sixty-five (65) years or older at the start of the current season.

3 The Committee

3.1 The business of the Society shall be conducted by a Committee consisting of Chairperson, Society Secretary, Society Head Bailiff, Society Membership Secretary, Society Treasurer, Society Competition Secretary, Society Website Administrator and up to six others.

3.2 Committee Members shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM), and shall remain in office until the next appropriate AGM. The Committee has the right to co-opt additional Members as appropriate. The terms of tenure for the Committee Members shall be:

• Chairperson five (5) years
• Society Treasurer and Society Secretary four (4) years
• All other Committee Members three (3) years.

3.3 In the event of any Committee Member missing up to four (4) meetings in one (1) membership year, they can be replaced at the discretion of the Committee.

3.4 Upon appointment, Committee appointees shall be entitled to free membership until such time as they leave the Committee at which time the balance of outstanding free membership shall be at the discretion of the Committee.

3.5 The Committee shall meet not less than once in every three (3) months and five (5) shall form a quorum.

• Minutes of every meeting shall be kept by the Society Secretary and a copy thereof handed or forwarded to every Committee Member.
• The Chairperson shall have the casting vote in case of need.

4 Financial Control

4.1 The funds of the Society shall be controlled by the Society Treasurer under the direction of the Committee.

4.2 The Society Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Society.

4.3 The accounts made up to the end of December each year shall be audited by the registered auditor or company appointed by the Committee.

4.4 Cheques drawn on the Society’s account shall be signed by two (2) of the following:

• Chairperson
• Society Secretary
• Society Treasurer.

4.5 Donations to the Society shall be dealt with by the Committee bearing in mind the donor’s wishes.

4.6 There shall be no limit to the Society funds and such funds shall be used at the Committee’s discretion for:

• The stocking and restocking of any waters.
• The running expenses of the Society, inclusive of the hire of any hall or meeting place for the purpose of any Society meetings.
• The acquisition of and retention of any fishing waters or riparian rights by any legal means.
• A gift to any person, persons, body, sponsorship or other party for services to the Society which shall not exceed £100.

5 Security and Discipline

5.1 A set of Rules and Bye-laws shall be maintained by the Committee on behalf of the Society. This will define both general regulations and those applicable exclusively to any specific fishery or activity.

5.2 Bailiffs shall be appointed, subject to approval by the Committee, to ensure adherence to the Society rules under the administration of the Head Bailiff.

5.3 A Disciplinary Procedure shall be maintained to address any breach of the Rules and Bye-laws. This will take account of the severity of the offence and may, after investigation and a vote of the Committee, result in suspension or termination of membership or other sanction that the Committee may determine.

6 Society General Activities

6.1 The AGM shall be held in January or February. The notice of any such meeting shall include the agenda and give no less than fourteen (14) days’ notice. No business shall be transacted other than that specified within the Agenda, and any Item to be considered at the AGM must be submitted to the Society Secretary by the 31st December prior to the AGM. The Committee will consider any non Agenda item put forward for discussion or inclusion on Agenda for the next AGM. 

6.2 A Special Meeting may be called on the written request of any twelve (12) Members to the Society Secretary, or on the sole request of the Chairperson. No business shall be transacted at such a meeting other than that specified within the agenda and not less than seven (7) days’ notice shall be given to all Members.

6.3 Any complaints must be made in writing to the Society Secretary.

6.4 In the event of waters or the rights thereof becoming available for acquisition by the Society, the Committee shall have the right to vest or arrange the vesting of such waters or rights in any persons being not less than four (4) in number as Trustees of the Society.

6.5 Trustees shall be elected by the Committee, and they shall respectively hold office until death or resignation, unless removed from office by a resolution of the Committee. The Trustees shall number not more nor less than four (4) and the property of the Society, as directed by resolution of the Committee (of which an entry in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence), shall be vested in them and they shall be indemnified against all risk and expense out of Society funds.

6.6 The Committee may arrange matches and competitions for the Members with other Clubs / Societies and enter the Society in any national or regional competition.

Data Protection / Privacy Policy

Version 1.1. Last updated: 22nd September 2022

The Thameside Works Angling and Preservation Society (TWAPS) holds personal data about its Members for a number of reasons.

This policy sets out how TWAPS seeks to protect personal data and ensure that, with the authority of the Committee, the Membership Secretary and the Website Administrator understand the rules governing their use of personal data to which they have access. In particular, this policy requires these individuals ensure that the relevant compliance steps are addressed.

Does TWAPS need the individual Member’s express consent to store and use their personal information?
Yes. Members, or Junior Members’ parents or guardian, will be asked to give explicit consent when joining the Society or renewing Membership. Failure to give consent will result in not becoming, or continuing to be a Member.

What Members’ personal information is stored by TWAPS?
TWAPS stores individual Members’ first name, last name, full address and postcode, email address, land line telephone number, mobile telephone number, date of birth and whether or not the Member is disabled.

Why does TWAPS collect and store Members’ personal information?
TWAPS uses Members’ personal information solely for conducting TWAPS business. TWAPS needs to keep records of who its Members are and how old they are. From time to time, TWAPS keeps its Members informed by distributing, either by email or by post, newsletters and other TWAPS related notices. TWAPS has different categories of membership such as Junior, Adult, Disabled etc. which are based on either an individual Member’s age or having a disability.  TWAPS also keeps a list of any expelled Members who are not permitted to rejoin.

What does TWAPS do with the stored Members’ personal information?
TWAPS issues membership cards and, for new Members, identity cards using the information supplied on the membership form. TWAPS also communicates with members from time to time. Baliffs can also request certain Individual Member’s details from the Membership Secretary or Website Administrator when dealing with any disciplinary matters.

How does TWAPS store Members’ personal information?
TWAPS stores Members’ personal information in electronic from in a secure environment which is controlled by both the Membership Secretary and the Website Administrator. The data will be password protected and regularly backed up to a secure environment.

Who has access to TWAPS Members’ details and why?
The Membership Secretary maintains the database storing Members’ personal information, including the creating, updating and deleting these details. The Website Administrator, Society Secretary and a designated Committee Member can view these details but does not make any changes. The Membership Secretary uses this information to issue membership cards and identity cards. The Website Administrator, Society Secretary and designated Committee Member use this information to communicate with Members from time to time. Both the Membership Secretary and the Website Administrator respond to queries from Bailiffs when dealing with disciplinary matters.

How can individual Members see what personal information is stored about them?
Such requests should be sent to the Membership Secretary in the first instance, quoting the membership number and full name. A response containing all the Member’s details should be received within 30 days from receipt. The Membership Secretary may contact the individual Member for verification purposes. There is no charge for this service.

How can individual Members have their personal information stored by TWAPS updated?
Such requests should be sent to the Membership Secretary in the first instance, quoting the membership number, full name and requested changes. A response containing the amendments should be received within 30 days. The Membership Secretary may contact the individual Member for verification purposes. There is no charge for this service.

How can individual Members have their personal information stored by TWAPS removed?
Such requests should be sent to the Membership Secretary in the first instance, quoting the membership number, full name and requested removal. A response confirming the removal should be received within 30 days. The Membership Secretary may contact the individual Member for verification purposes. There is no charge for this service. The removal of individual Member’s details may result in that individual no longer being a member of the Society.

For how long will Members’ personal information be stored by TWAPS?
TWAPS will continue to store Members’ data for as long as individuals remain TWAPS members. Should a Member not renew their membership or leave the Society, their details will be kept for a further 12 months, unless the Membership Secretary receives a request to have the individual Member’s details removed.

Which other individuals or organisations have access to TWAPS Members’ personal information?
TWAPS users a third party mailing list provider, currently Your Mailing List Provider (YMLP), to send emails to Members. TWAPS Members’ personal information will not be shared, sold, rented or otherwise disclosed to any other individual or organisation (with the exception of the third party mailing provider) without individual Member’s express written consent, or unless ordered to do so by a court of law.

At TWAPS we take seriously the well being of our Members, including health and safety as well has mental health.

If, as a current TWAPS Member, you have any welfare issues whilst fishing any TWAPS water, any RFA water participating in any TWAPS match you can use the form below to contact our Welfare Officer, who will be able to point you to the most appropriate source of help for you.

Please note that all information will be treated in the strictest confidence and any information you supply will not be disclosed to any other party.

In memory of some TWAPS Members who are sadly no longer with us.

Cobham Memorial Bench

At Cobham we have a bench to mark those members of the Society who are sadly no longer with us.

The bench currently contains some small plaques in memory of the following members:

E. Mitchell 1945 – 2008
David F. Deed 1955 – 2009
Colin John Beeching 1958 – 2011
Francis Doyle 1948 – 2019
Stephen Dixon 1947 – 2023

May they rest in peace.

Blue Lake Memorial Bench

At the Blue Lake we have a bench to mark a member of the Society who is sadly no longer with us.

The bench currently contains a small plaque in memory of member Simon Bell.

Simon “Little Legs” Bell 1974 – 2017

May Simon rest in peace.

Reg Graham

1952 – 2022

Reg was a very long standing Member of TWAPS and an active match angler. As a popular angler, particularly within the TWAPS match group, Reg continued to fish and take part in TWAPS matches until shortly before his death.

Reg will be sadly missed by all TWAPS anglers who knew him.

TWAPS extends its condolences to Reg’s family and friends.

Rest in peace Reg.

John Dale

1947 – 2023 Age 76

Rest in peace John

Roy Stedman

1939 – 2023 Age 83

Roy was a long standing Committee Member and Bailiff and attended numerous working parties for the benefit of TWAPS Members.  The Committee thanks Roy for his long and distinguished service.

Rest in peace Roy

Steven Dixon

Rest in peace Steven

1947 – 2023 Age 77