The Association shall be called ‘THE STURMINSTER AND HINTON ANGLING ASSOCIATION’ and its Headquarters will be The Fiddleford Inn, Sturminster Newton or as decided from time to time by the Committee.
The objects of the Association shall be:
· To promote and encourage angling within the STURMINSTER NEWTON area
· To promote and protect the angling interests and other activities meeting the objectives of the membership.
· To acquire waters and provide fishing and access rights for the benefit of the Club
- Make waters available to anglers with a view to making their sport more variable and enjoyable.
· To encourage all anglers in the conservation of fish species and numbers.
· To encourage the safe handling and return to the water of all fish wherever caught with minimum stress.
· To encourage anglers in the protection and conservation of their angling environment and its ecology,
· To ensure an on-going commitment to the fair treatment of all anglers with no discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or social class.
· To encourage all club members to read and familiarise themselves with the constitution, rules and codes of conduct of the Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association
The administration and management of the Association shall be by those Members who are resident within 12 miles radius of Sturminster Newton (deemed to be the Market Cross) and only such members shall be entitled to vote at any General or Annual General Meeting.
Membership is open to those with a bona fide interest in angling. Junior membership can be granted up to the age of 18, thereafter full membership charges will apply. There will be reduced rates for members over-65 and for those with a partner who is also a member.
Temporary membership may be granted on a weekly or daily basis through the purchase of the relevant Guest Ticket.
All farmers with land adjoining the Hinton Estate waters on the River Stour are Honorary Members of the Association and may fish these waters together with their immediate family.
Life membership may be granted by the Committee to a Member who, on reaching the age of 65, has been a Member of the Association for at least 10 consecutive seasons.
Honorary Life Membership may be granted to a person who has rendered distinguished service to the Association.
Membership fees shall become payable from 1st June each year and the Membership Secretary will send out renewal to Members of the previous year. Any Member who changes address is responsible for notifying same to the Membership Secretary.
Members of the Committee who are not Life Members shall be entitled (whether they take up the offer or not) to a complimentary permit equivalent to their period of service to the Committee. Should such a Member have an angling spouse then that spouse will require a permit at full cost.