THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership, of course, provides some outstanding fishing and an entitlement to access all of the facilities and opportunities provided by the club. However we do hope that each member will wish to contribute to our ongoing development as we strive to provide first class fishing and real value for money. Indeed if we all play a part it shares the workload and creates a sense of mutual support.  We do hope that each member will consider contributing to some or all of the following:

Working Parties: These are scheduled 4 or 5 times throughout the season and last for a maximum of 2 hours. Groups of members meet to carry out routine bank clearance and cutting back of vegetation to ensure that back casting is not impeded. Other light duties are often allocated should you be unable to carry out heavier work. We’ve invested in battery operated strimmers to make light work of clearing the vegetation. The working parties are a great way to meet other members and share tips on what tactics are working.

Fishery Security: Closed Circuit Cameras are in operation on our waters and we no longer ask all members to carry out routine bailiff patrols, although, if necessary, we might reinstate these temporarily to deal with a specific problem. However, we do have a volunteer group of bailiffs who will take responsibility for targeted activity if evidence arises of illegal fishing. If you are willing to support this please ask the fishing manager for information. Training and guidance is provided. 

Stocking Team: Throughout the season, the reservoirs are regularly stocked. This is a weekday activity requiring a commitment of about 90 minutes per stocking. Dates are published well in advance. If you wish to be involved please inform the Assistant Fishing Manager.

The AGM. Attending the AGM ensures that all members are fully briefed on changes and developments and enables the club to achieve consistency across the membership. It also provides an opportunity for each member to propose motions that further our development and help us to improve the fishing experience for all. Do use the opportunity to contribute your own ideas and support the positive suggestions of other anglers. 

The Committee: The club is run entirely by unpaid volunteers whose sole motivation is to ensure the best possible fishing for the membership at the lowest realistic price. Serving on the committee is a way of giving something back to the club and the sport we love. The constitution is very specific about committee membership. The composition of the committee is determined annually at the AGM by the votes of those attending and we seek members who are willing to give of their time and contribute their energies to our further development.

FACILITIES AND SUPPPORT FOR MEMBERS

OFFC is based at Springhead Sports and Social Club. It is here that all club meetings take place, the AGM is held and the winter programme is delivered. All events take place on Monday evenings.  To find the club from the centre of Oldham, head east along the A 669 signposted Lees and Greenfield.   The Springhead Sports and Social Club is on the right hand side of the road about 1.75 miles from the A669 junction, at the end of the Oldham by-pass.  SATNAV Postcode OL4 5SN

1. Casting Tuition. The new season begins each year with a casting clinic for both newcomers and more experienced anglers who wish to improve their technique or iron out a defect. A modest charge is made for this coaching.
2. Guest Day Fishing Tickets. Guest day fishing permits are available to fish the reservoirs and each member may have two during the year at no cost.  Additional Non-Fishing Members may obtain these for which a fee is payable.
3. Tackle Discount. John Norris offers club members a 15% discount on tackle purchases; the catalogue and discount code will be found on the website.

 Health and Safety Policies and Procedures

Introduction

All members of the club are equally responsible for Health and Safety matters. The committee is made up of volunteers who do not have employers’ Health and Safety responsibilities. On behalf of the membership they enter into binding agreements to lease fishing rights but are not owners of any land and therefore exercise no direct control over the management of the land upon which we fish. The committee, however, will raise with the appropriate persons any Health and Safety issues brought to its attention by members.

All members accept that there are dangers inherent in fishing as a pursuit in the countryside. These may come from wading on shifting river beds, flying hooks, carrying rods near overhead electricity cables, animals and negotiating uneven banks and access ways. Our activities may, on occasion, pose a risk to other people.

Membership of the club requires acceptance that each angler is entirely responsible for managing him/herself in a way that is safe.  As a condition of membership all members are obliged to cooperate with the committee on Health and Safety matters, to take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as that of others and report all Health and Safety issues or concerns they may have.

Personal Responsibility.

• All members are aware that they exercise the rights and privileges of membership at their own risk.
• All members are advised to ensure that they have appropriate insurance to cover accidents to themselves.
• All members are required to raise with the committee any health and safety issues or concerns.
• All members must advise guests and junior members of the Health and Safety policy and ensure that they comply with it.
• Members may not fish or carry assembled rods within 30 metres of overhead electric power lines.
• Members must be aware of their environment, paying particular attention to the area behind them, ensuring that their back cast does not threaten the safety of other anglers or members of the public.
• Members must comply with this policy and any additional warnings issued from time to time by the committee.

Working Parties

It is an expectation of the club that members will participate in a working party at least once during a season to make a contribution to bank clearance and general maintenance.

• Members who are unwell, infirm or who believe that participation may be injurious to their well- being are exempted.
• Those participating accept that there is a modest risk inherent in the work and are responsible for providing themselves with protective clothing and eye-ware suitable for the activities.

Contractors.

Before undertaking work contractors must liaise with the appropriate land owner ensuring that working practice is compliant with the land owner’s requirements for such things as:

• Use of materials
• Plant and equipment
• Control of substances
• Staff Training
• Manual handling.

The Committee.

The committee will ensure compliance with the policy in the following ways:

• Requiring all members to sign a copy of this document as confirmation that they are aware of its content.
• Notifying land owners of Health and Safety issues drawn to their attention by members.
• Liaising regularly with landowners and alerting members to planned and imminent works which might pose a risk.
• Organising appropriate insurance cover.
• Responding quickly and alerting members to identified hazards which cannot immediately be eliminated.
• Awarding contracts for work only to reputable individuals and organisations who will comply with our policy and current legislation.
• Ensuring that working party activities carry a minimum of risk.
• To carry out risk assessments as they become necessary and inform members of the outcome.
• Monitoring, reviewing and revising these policies and procedures at appropriate intervals.