Society History
A browse through cutting from the late lamented Tonbridge Free Press can prove both rewarding and amusing. With all the joy and frustrations of angling basically unchanged by the passing of half a century. The regional match scene was a busy one in the 1950's with events well supported – better, probably, than are their current counterparts. Mid September 1957 was a particularly hectic period. On Sunday 8th September 364 competitions fished the Kent Championship on the Royal Military Canal. There was a contingent of 34 Tonbridge AS members. The match arrangements were excellent but in bright sunshine the fish were less than cooperative. The day is best summarised by the quote from the cutting. “Overlooking the Royal Military canal at Bilsington stands a large stone Monolith which is I believe to some long dead local squire and it was visible to many competitors in the Bilsington section of the Kent Angling Championships which were fished in this area last Sunday, During the middle of the afternoon I heard two anglers from London commenting on the monument. One side it was no wonder the fish weren’t biting as they were fishing the wrong spot, being on the embankment and casting into the polluted waters of the Thames. His friend would not have that theory. ‘No mate’ he said were in the right spot alright, but that flipping thing was built in memory of the last perisher to pull a fish out of here; All of which was a pretty fair comment on the standard of sport encountered by majority of competitors. The following Friday the Society’s National Championship team endured an uncomfortable overnight journey to Bridgenorth. When they arrived at the match venue on Saturday morning, they received the news that the Seven was seven feet above normal level. As a result, the top team weight was only 20lb and the top individual weight of 7lb was the lowest for over 20 years. The Tonbridge team managed 3lb 3 ¾oz, with their team sweep money going to Don Puttock who had 15 ½ oz . In 1964 Don immigrated to Australia. Is still there, and has enjoyed some superb fishing in various states plus some crocodile hunting and near misses with snakes and spiders. Don’t all rush! The disappointed and exhausted team got back to Tonbridge at 2 am on Sunday
morning and most of them were on the Sports Ground at 8 am to be amongst the 373 entrants who fished the ACA Benefit match which followed. \perhaps appropriately, pollution had just occurred below the town and the water downstream from Enfield Bridge to the Sport Ground had to be pegged, causing major problems with transport. However, there were overcome and 72lb 5 ½ oz of fish were weighed in. It sounds low, but size limits were in force
and gudgeon were barred in the match. There were some red male faces when Mrs Carston of Croydon AS fished a Longfield swim very skilfully and won the cup with a dozen roach totalling 5lb 6oz. Competitors on the Sport Ground had a horrid time. The fish were off feed. Boats were a nuisance and anglers on the river arm received the attention of the BBC film unit recording the event for a “Tonight “feature. One man unlucky enough to land a small roach had twice to return it still hooked to the water, then land it again as the spoken commentary was interrupted by a train (steam) thundering down the London Line followed by a retake caused by a dog barking in Brightfiars Meadow. Another unlucky angler was the butt of BBC roving
reporter, the abrasive Fyffe Robertson. This caustic Scotsman, as some of you may recall had his own interview technique which could reduce the interviewee to the size of a bloodworm squirming on a 22 hook. After getting the competitor to explain his tackle and baits. Robertson enquired “And why do you do this?” not surprising, the angler was lost for words. But to his credit, he remained sangfroid and resisted the temptation to push his tormentor into the river. The match was a status event. With the numerous trophies and prizes presented by TUDC Chairman J G Parks and the donation cheque handed to ACA secretary Mr Erskine-Hill by Society Vice President C B Hollands.
The cheque was for £35 and brought the total from the 5 benefit matches so far fished to £193 this deemed a very creditable effort, Values are obviously things that have changed since that distant date!
1905 Smoking Concert
Under the heading of ANGLERS FRATERNISE the Tonbridge free press reported the large numbers of enthusiasts of rod and line assembled for a smoking concert at the corn exchanged which had been profusely decorated with flags and bunting. Toasts were made by Society members and riparian owners some of the speeches were hilarious
Whip Fishing for 2½p
A lad going fishing in the 1940's would start by taking some bread from the larder, running down to Chas Williams tackle shop in railway approach to purchase six foot water cord a quill float, short and 14 hook to catgut all set up on a winder ready to fish, for a tanner - 6d Then continue the run up the long reach towpath cutting a hazel switch on the way, on to shallows to catch roach, dace and small chub all day.
Memory Lane Maurice Fuller
Tonbridge Water Bailiffs Then and Now 1899
The first TDAFPS Bailiff James Foster was appointed in 1875, this being the first decision the new Angling Society made. It was certainly a wise choice. The redoubtable Foster was employed full-time at £1 per week, issued with a coat with the Societies initials emblazoned in silver on the lapels together with cape, breeches, gaiters and boots. He was to become a familiar and sometimes feared figure, striding along the tow path or suddenly appearing out of the woods, many prosecutions and convictions were made for poaching, netting and trespassing during his 35 years as Bailiff the penalties for these offences was a stiff fine, or 7 days in jail, or sometimes both.
A less savoury aspect of bailiffing prior to 1900 was trapping and killing of numerous otters on the Medway. A bounty of a sovereign was paid to Bailiff Foster for ever Otter presented to the riverside landowners. The unfortunate animals were destined to be stuffed and mounted in a glass display cabinet. Bailiff Foster was renowned for his relentless pursuit of the local board of Tonbridge for making section of his beloved Medway.
A less savoury aspect of bailiffing prior to 1900 was trapping and killing of numerous otters on the Medway. A bounty of a sovereign was paid to Bailiff Foster for ever Otter presented to the riverside landowners. The unfortunate animals were destined to be stuffed and mounted in a glass display cabinet. Bailiff Foster was renowned for his relentless pursuit of the local board of Tonbridge for making section of his beloved Medway.
"Noisome and Offensive" by allowing raw sewage to enter the river. His undisputed 35 year reign over the Medway came to a abrupt end due to ill health in 1911. TDAFPS awarded a pension of 5 shillings per week in appreciation of his years of service a most unusual gesture for that time. It was to be paid as long as the society was able, which, as it turned out, until James Fosters death 12 years later.
1999
Bailiffs today have a distinct resemblance to their predecessor James Foster. Although the society no longer issue coats with silver lapels, and they wouldn't be seen dead in breeches and gaiters; the breasts and hats of our present day bailiffs are festooned with colourful badges declaring their role their passion for Angling and the countryside.
Calamity on the Medway
February 14th 1895 Medway (Tonbridge) River frozen over with exception of each lock. Skating from Maidstone, a distances of sixteen miles.
From the local free press February 1895
Bailiffs today have a distinct resemblance to their predecessor James Foster. Although the society no longer issue coats with silver lapels, and they wouldn't be seen dead in breeches and gaiters; the breasts and hats of our present day bailiffs are festooned with colourful badges declaring their role their passion for Angling and the countryside.
Calamity on the Medway
February 14th 1895 Medway (Tonbridge) River frozen over with exception of each lock. Skating from Maidstone, a distances of sixteen miles.
From the local free press February 1895
I have just received from the following letter from Mr. Francis Row ; Tonbridge, Feb 20th. The remains of the late R.E.Wedgwood Esq. Sec. of Tonbridge Angling Society, were interred at the cemetery, Dry Hill Park, on 19th inst. The deceased gentlemen lost his life by drowning when skating. The followers comprised a large number of members, together with many gentlemen to whom the deceased was known, A large number of wreaths, completely covering the coffin had been sent, conspicuous amongst them was one from the members of the angling club, this being a beautiful specimen of artistic work. The deceased leaves a widow and numerous family, with whom great sympathy was displayed by numbers of the club, taking from a letter of condolence, the letter expressing the heartfelt sympathy of all the members, the deceased having endeared himself to one and all and safeguarded the interests of the club in the best possible manner. (" The late secretary to Tonbridge Angling and Fish Preservation Society will greatly missed by scores of London anglers, and their name I beg to offer a vote of condolence to his widow.
Remembering the Fifties