RADCLIFFE Angling Association held its annual presentation evening at Radcliffe Cricket Club, where both juniors and seniors were presented with their trophies.

R.Buckley won the senior aggregate winter trophy, and Jordan Howarth the junior trophy.

Dennis Eckersall presented the trophies and was in turn presented with a matching pair of watches for both himself and his wife June, after serving on the committee for 40 years, having acted as vice president and later secretary.

There have been a number of significant developments that concern the club.

A number of members attended an 'Active Radcliffe Sports Action Plan 2003-6' workshop, designed to produce a plan for the local sporting community.

Also in attendance were representatives from schools, along with other local sporting clubs and groups, and they discussed facility development, internal and external funding, support networks and partnerships.

The society is looking to build on the discussions begun in the workshop and pursue many of the issues raised with the aim of developing angling within the community.

Funding plays an important part of the society's development plan and it will be applying to various funding bodies in an effort to improve amenities and facilities in order to put Radcliffe Angling on the map.

In particular the amenities at Cherrytree, Pimhole and Redbridge Lodges are being targeted for improvement.

Starmount waters is an example of what can be achieved, but it needs the active participation of all members of the society, both young and not so young, if angling is to be improved in Radcliffe for generations to come.

And with reference to Starmount, the maintenance crew sank a lot of shrubbery in the middle of the lake to give the fish somewhere to hide.

The area is marked with four black plastic containers, so be aware when casting out.

Shaun, Mark and Sam attended a Sports Coach UK course, revolving around Good Practice and Child Protection, and also including Emergency First Aid.

In particular it highlighted the need for members who suffer from illness to inform people when they go fishing and to always take their mobile phones with them.

MATCH RESULTS

Juniors

Redbridge: 1 J.Howarth 2-12-8; 2 S.Cooke 0-13-0; 3 J.Crilly 0-7-8; 4 M.Mills 0-1-0

Seniors

B.Taylor Cup, Starmount Middle Lodge: 1 K.Entwistle 3-11-8; 2 R.Holt 3-1-0; 3 T.Birchall 2-14-8.

Mallalieu Memorial Trophy, Littler Elton: 1 B.Rothwell 5-14-0; 2 J.Armer 4-3-8; T.Birchall 3-9-8.

Jim Wright Trophy, Starmount Top Lodge: 1 R.Buckley 3-1-0; 2 J.Armitage 1-15-0; B.Rawlinson 0-10-8

Winter League: 1 R.Buckley; 2 R.Greenwood/C.Coughlan; 4 M.Thomas.

The following dates are for Open Matches to raise funds for the national team: May 16 and 30, June 6.

If you wish to fish any of these matches ring Alan Bigg on 01204 380859. The next club match is on Victoria lake, Bolton on Sunday May 9.

Finally, a local angler, Norman, managed to bag up 41lbs of mainly bream on Starmount Top Lodge recently!