The organisers of The Old Stone Sea Angling Club have agreed no future competition venues will be arranged at Brighton Marina. The reasons for this decision are as follows.

Paying to fish ?
During the 1970’s when Brighton Marina was being constructed, there was an awful lot of disruption, such as, traffic congestion, noise and dirt caused by the thousands of journeys made by heavy lorries travelling to and from the site. Also access was restricted to Black Rock and the under cliff, an area enjoyed for decades by both locals and visitors to the town.

In response Brighton Council made efforts to assure the people of Brighton they would ultimately benefit from the marina’s development. When the marina was opened to the public Brighton residents were invited to Town Hall and on production of a proof of residence were issued a photographic pass to gain free access. Very quickly the east and west breakwaters became very popular venues for anglers.

Some time later, possible ten to fifteen years ago, when following some vandalism and mother nature having made her mark, the breakwaters were becoming scruffy, a chap began introducing himself as Dave to anglers, as a fellow fisherman, who was concerned enough to put things right, promising to keep the public right of way clear of dangers such as algae and seagull excrement and to repair and reopen the toilets on the west breakwater. However all this was going to cost money so he asked anglers to make a voluntary contribution of fifty pence saying this was to help towards the cost of bleach to treat the algae and paint for the toilets. At this time most decent people were more than happy to make a small donation to protect and maintain a decent walking and fishing venue.

As time progressed, the fifty pence voluntary contribution, became a compulsory pound, then one pound per rod, then two pound per rod and so on, collected by uniformed staff who boost of their power and prowess in dealing with those who are either unwilling or unable to pay. Who gave these people the authority to threaten members of the public with such punishments ranging from have their fishing lines cut to a life time ban? Then having parted with their hard earned cash, anglers are invariably subjected to a torrent of fishermen’s tales which can roll off the wardens tongues with well rehearsed practiced ease, a strategy of appeasement perhaps, an assurance of money being well spent?

Ironically, after what could amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds having been handed over by anglers during past years, the breakwaters remains filthy, closed in parts and lacking in the most basic sanitary provisions including waste bins, and splattered with shit compliments of the seagulls having gorged themselves on an abundant supply of rotting baits left by some careless anglers unconcerned by the lack of bins, or just cannot be bothered to take their litter away when they leave. So the question The Old Stone Sea Angling Club asks is not why anglers are forced to pay to fish at the Brighton Marina, rather than what happens to all the money?

The Tackle Shop ?
Prior to a competition held on Brighton Marina recently, most of our club members ordered bait from The Tackle Box, the Brighton Marina bait and tackle shop. The bait, ordered during the previous week, consisted mainly of Black Lug and King Rag worm. It has to be said the Black Lug appeared freshly dug and was of very good quality, however the King Rag worm was another story. Most of the King Rag worm was dead and rotting, some of which was in such poor condition it couldn’t even be used as dead bait being to mushy to thread onto a hook, further to this, in some cases where two measures had been ordered and paid for, barely one measure was provided.

Having asked the fishing warden for an explanation, a wide array of excuses were provided ranging from it was the fault of the company who provided the bait; it would be inappropriate to name this company which otherwise has a general reputation of excellence, to the worms having attacked and partially eaten each other! No offer of any recompense was offered.

Taking into account the amount of money our members frequently spend on bait and tackle, fishing permits, and that the Club usually spends around £30 to £40 on raffle prizes as well, it is very disappointing to have been treated with what we see as contempt.

Parking Fines?
During the aforementioned event, five of our vehicles were issued parking tickets, the full details and why we are contesting these fines are explained in the following letter sent to Town and City Parking.

RodPunter - Secretary
The Old Stone SAC
xx xxxxx Road
Brighton
xxx xxx

14 July 2010

TOWN AND CITY PARKING LTD
Please considerer my appeal against the following five parking charge notices

DB 839319
DB 839320
DB 839322
DB 839323
DB 839324

These notices were all issued, first seen 1850 at Brighton Marina Boatyard Ramp on Monday 12 July 2010.

I trust you may consider, after reading this letter, the parking charges were issued unfairly, and I hope you agree it is more appropriate to deal with all five vehicles as one issue rather than duplicating the same letter five times which would only waste your administrators valuable time.

The Old Stone Sea Angling Club is a Brighton based organisation founded in 1998. On Monday 12th July we held a fishing competition on the East Breakwater at Brighton Marina. Having fished Brighton Marina many times in the past, and both Brian Standen and I having been berth holders in recent years, we are fully aware of the parking difficulties in the area.

When we arrived at 1700 we met in Asda Car Park. The members asked me about the current parking restrictions at east side of the marina. Unsure, I went to the Security Office and enquired about the restrictions. I explained to the on duty Security Officer it was not practical to park in the multi storey situated at the west side of the marina because it is a very long walk, we had a lot of heavy gear to carry and some of us are simply not fit enough for such an undertaking. I was advised we could park in the “V” or visitors bays on the road leading up to east, though I did say it would be unfair to park there because we would not arrive back at our cars until about 0030 and although we try to keep any noise to a minimum it would be unfair to the local residents in what is a densely populated area. The Security Officer then advised me parking restrictions were not being enforced around the area of the East Lock side except if we parked in the bays reserved for Neilson, he said Neilson would be trading until 1800 and if we parked in their bays we could have a problem, otherwise no parking restrictions were being enforced at this time.

Trusting his advice, satisfied we would not cause any nuisance or break any rules, I offered his advice to our Club Members.

When we drove up to the East Lock side area, the ramp was clear of vehicles except for one motor home parked about two thirds of the way up, and we noticed the parking signs had been clearly removed, so we decided to park there, satisfied we were committing no offence. We did see a sign further away referring to parking restrictions at East Lock side, though because we were parked to west of the lock gates we considered these signs were referring to area outside of the Neilson building as explained moments earlier by the Security Officer.

When we arrived back at our vehicles at around 0030 and saw the Parking Charge Notices, having then taken photographs which clearly demonstrate signs had been removed, Brian Standen and I went back to the Security Office.

By this time the Security Officers had changed shifts, the Officer we then spoke to advised us the information we were given earlier may have been inappropriate especially as it was the Security who issued the tickets, following a request from Premier Marinas to do so. The Officer then advised us the Notices hadn’t yet been processed and if we were to return in the morning his Boss could deal with it. Mr Standen did just that only to be advised we would in fact have to appeal formally against these charges by writing to yourselves.

Because I went to the Security Office for good advice and passed this advice to the members, they feel if these fines have to be paid, it is the Club as an organisation, who should pay, rather than the individual drivers, a matter I would not contest. I do hope though you can agree we made every effort to not commit any offence, disturbance or nuisance when we parked where we did. I am hoping you will apply reason and cancel
these fines, if not, if it does become a civil legal matter, I feel a magistrate may just see this in our favour.

Finally, this letter and any reply will be posted on our website www.theoldstonesac.co.uk
in order for our members to see we are making every effort to deal with this misunderstanding.Please advise.

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All the aforementioned matters have been discussed at a recent Committee Meeting. The Club's standing is, although no future matches are to be planned for the Brighton Marina venues, members are free to fish there during Zoned and Rover events, at their own accord.

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