History of Invicta Fly Fishing Club,

The First Twenty Five Years.

Compiled by Norman Shippey, Hon.Secretary 1987-2000

Disclaimer: With a record of this nature encompassing twenty five years it is inevitable that certain names and events are overlooked or forgotten. Where this has occurred please accept my apologies as any omissions are totally unintended. Norman Shippey.

On the 5th April 1976 thirteen prospective members met at Comberton Village College in an inaugural meeting to launch a fly fishing club. And so, as a result of a series of flytying classes by Les Beecroft at CVC during the winter of 1975/76, Invicta was born. It so happened that a further course by Les the following autumn produced another enthusiastic batch of would-be members and the Club was well and truly established.

The thirteen in attendance at that first meeting were Arthur Gavins, David Jones, Simon Harris, Peter Yorke, Stuart Ferguson, Ivan Wilmore, Jack de Leiros, Ken Lynch, John Askham, Steven Burrell, Allan Wyatt, Fred Halsey and Peter Rogers (junior).

A rudimentary set of rules were adopted at this meeting and Officers and Committee elected comprising Arthur Gavins as Chairman, David Jones as Secretary and Jim Rogers as Treasurer with a further four taking Committee places. Tenure of the Chairmanship was short lived however with Arthur Gavins taking up a new appointment in Leeds and Ken Lynch stepping into the breech. Annual subscriptions were set at £2.50.

By the commencement of the first winter programme in September the membership had been augmented by further additions from both the flytying classes of 1975/76 and 1976/77. Early applications from the second series of classes included Colin Brett, Bill Crouch, Richard Carr, Brian Curtis, Jack Morris (formally employed by Gallyons of Cambridge with Les Beecroft) and Norman Shippey.

By the time of the first Annual General Meeting in April 1976 Club membership would be approaching twenty five.

Right from the start it was intended that Invicta should be an active organization providing year round interest for its members. It should be borne in mind at this point that Grafham and Pitsford Waters were the nearest and only available large stillwaters and these observed a close season from 29th October to 1st May approximately. It was, therefore, a priority aim of the newly elected Committee to provide a comprehensive programme of activities during both the open and closed periods of each year.

A glance through the first couple of Newsletters confirm the basis of what we have now come to expect from the Club programme. Bank fishing trips to Grafham and Elinor in June and then into an impressive winter programme of one evening each month September to April inclusive. The programme comprised an Open Evening, Fly Fishing in East Africa by Ken Lynch, Reservoir Trout Fishing by Arthur Cove, Salmon and Grayling Fishing by Reg Reghyni, a video evening on the Big Mouth Bass, Traditional Methods of Fly fishing by David Jones, Paul Sibbons and friends on Trolling, a Fly Tying evening and Fly Casting from Don Neish. The first Newsletter appeared on the 2nd June 1976. Reg was acting as fishing consultant to Bruce & Walker of Huntingdon at that point.

The next AGM in April 1977 saw the re-election of the existing Officers. Chairman: Ken Lynch, Secretary: David Jones, Treasurer: Jim Rogers and a Committee of two.

It was decided at this meeting to hold the next Club meeting at the Conservative Club in Cottenham, an introduction being offered by Pete Yorke, in order to evaluate its advantages over Comberton Village College which had proved restrictive due to a closing time of nine thirty pm and no bar facilities and annual subscriptions were increased to œ3.50. The first club dinner was held in Owen Webb House, the old Farmers' Club in Gonville Place, in December of 1977.

With the demise of Gallyons Fishing and Shooting shop in Bridge Street, Cambridge a new shop under the management of Les Beecroft opened in Cherryhinton Road. Speculation was also rife at this time with the impending opening of Empingham Reservoir, almost immediately to be renamed Rutland Water. A party of a dozen or more members visited the new reservoir on the 19th June 1977 for a bank fishing match.

Following the first speculative meeting in Cottenham the Conservative Club was adopted as our regular venue with meetings scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month throughout the winter. It was agreed at this time, on the recommendation of founder member Simon Harris, to affiliate the Club to the Anglers' Co-operative Association, later to become the Anglers' Conservation Association.

The AGM, now in Cottenham, in April 1978 was attended by twelve members. Annual subscriptions were to remain at £3.50 and it was decided to increase monthly meetings to two. Due to room availability the extra meeting would be on the fourth Thursday and would include aspects of the sport such as flytying and much fishing talk. At this time informal meetings continued to be held on the second Wednesday throughout the summer months. Having received an invitation to attend a meeting of the Federation of Midland Fly Fishers, the Committee decided to affiliate to this body as this allowed Club members a voice in the running of flyfishing affairs on a national basis. Colin Brett became our first delegate to FMFF. Once again it was decided to return to Owen Webb House for the annual dinner in November or December 1978.

For 1978/79 elected Officers were Chairman: Ken Lynch, Secretary: David Jones, Treasurer: Norman Shippey and the Committee was increased to three. The first Club trophy, a shield for the heaviest trout from a public day ticket water, was presented by Les Beecroft. (Beecroft Shield)

By the time of the AGM in April 1979 membership had increased to over forty. It was decided to increase the number of Officers with the addition of a President. This position was filled by Bill Crouch who promptly donated a cup, later to be designated the President's Cup, to be awarded for the heaviest bag on a designated Club boat trip. Club funds had increased to œ106.00 over the previous year when the figure was a little over £81.00. Subscriptions again remained unchanged at £3.50.

The winter programme during the past months had included Arthur Cove, Steve Parton and Hector Woolnough. Prior to this our summer programme included a first visit to Church Hill Farm near Buckingham.

The elected Officers for 1979/80 were President: Bill Crouch, Chairman: Ken Lynch, Secretary: David Jones, Treasurer: Norman Shippey and three members of Committee.

1980 saw an increase of subscriptions to œ4.00. The winter programme included visits by Alan Bramley, Managing Director of Partridge, Bob Church and Brian Furzer. The dinner was again held at Owen Webb House for the princely sum of £7.00 per person.

Elected Officers for 1980/81 were President: Bill Crouch, Chairman: Ken Lynch, Secretary: David Jones, Treasurer: Norman Shippey plus an increase in the Committee to four.

Disturbing news came from FMFF during 1981 of the proposal by Anglian Water to lease out the fishing on Grafham, Rutland, Pitsford, Toft Newton and Ravensthorpe. Twelve of the fourteen member clubs of the Federation, including Invicta, opposed this proposal. This was the first, but not the last time, that this subject would raise its head with fairly disastrous consequences.

Speakers for the 1981/82 winter programme included a visit by Davy Wotten and, with the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Mole from the kitchen of Owen Webb House, the annual dinner was held at the Twenty Pence Inn at Wilburton. This turned out to be something of a disaster on account of there being two groups being catered for and, with an ear splitting band playing non-stop, presentation of the trophies and the speeches had to be conducted in the public bar.

In April of 1981 the AGM re-elected the outgoing Officers and Committee from 1980 for a second term and would serve until April 1982.

1982/83 witnessed such notorieties as Ernest Campbell-Black, Tom Saville and Stanley Woodrow pay visits to the Club. Tom Saville was one of the first to popularise the use of fluorescent materials in fly tying and his innovative approach continues to this day, as does the company under his name albeit under different owners. The summer of 1982 also marked first time Club visits to Ringstead Grange and Farmoor near Oxford.

This year also marked a change of venue for the annual dinner. The Club moved up the social scale somewhat with a move to Jesus College. This proved to be a popular choice which was maintained for the next eight years.

The first Benson & Hedges competition was also launched this year. An Invicta team of volunteers was quickly formed to fish the match at Rutland with the result being a fourth place overall. The team consisted of John Reynolds, Invicta best rod and third placed overall, Ian Baldock, Eddie Bewley, Jim Donnelly, Simon Dettmer and Ray Holdgate.

John, Eddie, Jim and Simon also entered the initial England eliminators and all progressed to the Midland area finals. Sadly all were eliminated at this stage.

The 1983 AGM was noted for the extensive changes on the Committee. The Officers elected were President: John Reynolds, Chairman: Jim Donnelly, Treasurer: Bill Wilson, Secretary: David Jones with four members on the Committee.

At this time membership had dropped from a high of around forty to only twenty five.

An unfortunate lapse in the recording of events for 1984 moves us on to 1985 at this time but we do know that the Invicta team achieved third place in the final of the Benson & Hedges competition in 1984. The successful team was John Reynolds, Jim Donnelly, Henry Lowe, Dave Barker, Eddie Bewley and Ian Baldock. We had by this time acquired a team manager whose duties were to be performed by Ray Holdgate. In view of the team's success in 1984 the same formation was retained for 1985.

It was decided at around this time that the Club should have some form of recognition in the form of a cloth badge. These were designed and purchased and remain the same to the present day. At a later date, and on the initiative of John Reynolds, metal lapel badges were also introduced but these have been re-designed more recently.

The previous winter programme had welcomed the first of several visits to the Club by Chris Elliot from Thrapston. This visit was the result of Colin Brett capturing a pike in excess of twenty pounds which Colin decided to have set up after the fish, unfortunately, expired before it could be relocated  to another water.

First time Club trips were arranged in 1985 to Eyebrook Reservoir, Hanningfield, Queen Mother at Datchet within the flight path of London Heathrow and Swanscombe Farm. This last venue had been acquired by Club member, Ken Gash, and his wife when ill health forced them to give up their general store in Comberton.

The Benson & Hedges team maintained their winning ways to finish second for a place in the Regional final. This was almost the end of the story though as the team could only manage a ninth place when the Regional Final was held at Rutland Water.

John Reynolds had proceeded through the eliminators into the English National Final with the result that he fished for England on Lough Conn in 1986.

It was at about this time that a new tackle outlet appeared in Cambridge. Mike Dawnay had set up a shop in Milton Road under the heading of C.A.S.T. Cambridge Angling Specialist Tackle. Mike soon become a valued member of the Club and it was under his initiative that an inaugural visit was made to Chew Valley Lake near Bristol to fish with members of the Llanilar club from Aberystwyth. This event has expanded over time and is now run exclusively for Club Members.  

AWA had decided at this time to defer a decision on privatising the reservoirs for at least another year.

INVICTA Officers had remained unchanged since the AGM of 1983 and were re-elected for 1985/86 with a Committee of four to assist.

In April of 1986 the Club was introduced to a new venue for winter meetings. Alan Taylor and Graden Smith arranged the use of the employees Common room at the Plant Breeding Institute in Trumpington. This venue continued to be our home for the next thirteen years during which under three owners our meeting rooms were demolished under redevelopement projects on two occasions, our last resting place being a rather grand Porta-cabin.

The Benson & Hedges team was eliminated in the early Round at Rutland this year.

This year also saw a change of Treasurer and it was subsequently decided to move the AGM date to October to facilitate more conveniently the financial affairs of the Club.

A loss of £33.00 had been incurred since the last AGM so it was agreed to increase subscriptions to £7.00. This loss was, however, not of unreasonable proportions as the turnover for the past year had amounted to £1742.00.

The Officers elected to serve for 1986/87 were President: John Reynolds, Chairman: Jim Donnelly, Secretary: David Jones, Treasurer: Graden Smith and a Committee of four.

Following a visit by Dr. Ron Broughton of the Grayling Society as part of the winter programme the Club was invited to fish a two mile stretch of the River Hodder in Lancashire in February of 1987.

Two Invicta members, Mike Ball and Dave Barker both won places in the England squad for 1988 and the World Wet Fly Championship in Ireland was won by Invicta members Ian Baldock, Peter Thomas and Ray Holdgate entered as the Green Peters.

The year also witnessed the end of an era with the decision of David Jones, founder member and Club Secretary for the first eleven and a half years of the Club's existence, to stand down. This as a result of the demands of a growing family and work commitments. With the prospect of the Club having to operate without the services of an elected Secretary Norman Shippey offered to stand stating that he had no secretarial experience, couldn't type and could only offer enthusiasm and a willingness to learn 'on the job'. At the AGM in October Officers elected for 1987/88 were President: John Reynolds, Chairman: Jim Donnelly, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith and a Committee of four.

David Jones was awarded the status of Life Membership of the Club in recognition of services rendered over his long term of office.

In his first Newsletter following his election the new Secretary declared his belief that communication was key to all aspects of club activities. Publication had, at best, been sporadic up to this point and efforts to maintain something of the order of bi-monthly editions would be the target for the future.

Early in 1988 a Special General Meeting was arranged to consider a formula to decide the make-up of the Benson & Hedges team for the future. In recent years the decision had been in the hands of a team manager which had been the target of much criticism on the grounds of favoritism.

Had this issue not been addressed so effectively and formally, as a result of the Special meeting, there had been a real danger of a serious split within the club. It was subsequently agreed by the Meeting that, with effect from the next AGM, the B & H team would be selected by a process of two eliminating matches on local reservoirs.

It was thought necessary at this time that a root and branch overhaul of the Club Constitution and Rules was required. Over the next several months the Committee, under the guidance of the Chairman, Jim Donnelly, were to spend much time to this end and the revised version was presented and accepted at the 1988 AGM.

The winter programme included Arthur Cove, Viv Church and Chris Ogborne. The latter subsequently cancelled 'for business reasons', was rebooked and failed to appear again.

The Benson & Hedges team achieved some success this year in taking second place and a cheque for œ100.00 in the regional final. However, this was almost the end of the story as elimination  was waiting in the next round.

The AGM in October elected Officers to serve for 1988/89. President: John Reynolds, Chairman: Jim Donnelly, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith and a Committee of four.

In 1988 it had been decided, after some indifferent service at Jesus College, to seek a new venue for the annual dinner. The Secretary made a provisional booking at St.John's College on receiving details of pricing and menu. On meeting the Catering Manager however the Secretary found that the anticipated and stated costing were at odds. The Manager was working to an updated pricing list and, in spite of the Secretary's objections, refused to recognize the price list as supplied. It was fortunate that at the next Club meeting it became apparent that Peter Harman was Catering Manager at Girton College so an immediate decision was made to transfer to that establishment. Arrangements were made for the dinner to take place in January 1989 and Girton was to remain as our venue for the next eight years.

In accordance with the revised Rules the B & H team was selected by a two venue elimination process for 1989.

The Club received an invitation in 1989 to attend a meeting in London to discuss setting up an interclub league. The meeting took place on 20th January 1989 and the idea was accepted in principal although there was some concern over the term 'league'. Representatives from five founder clubs attended, these being Bewl FFC, East Midlands FA, Bristol FFA, Rutland FFC and INVICTA. A further meeting was arranges and agreement reached on the aims and constitution of the new organization which was to become the Association of Major Clubs. Little publicity was afforded to this initiative at the time or for several years thereafter, this was suspected to be due to vested interests as the rules were specifically designed to exclude so-called clubs formed by teams of six experienced anglers coming together just to win competitions.

INVICTA received an invitation to take part in a charity fly fishing day to be held at Chew Valley Lake in July of 1989 organized by the Lord's Taverners in association with Kamasan.  Thirty clubs were represented, each being allocated one or more celebrities for the day. In our case these turned out to be Phil Bainbridge and Kevin Curran, both members of the Gloucestershire cricket team. £16,000.00 was raised on the day to buy a mini-bus for disabled children, the Invicta contribution amounting to over £300.00. Our representatives were Steve Middleton, Terry Stannard, Henry Lowe, Jim Donnelly and Norman Shippey. MC for the day and spokesman for the Lord's Taverners was Lesley Crowther.

Henry Lowe had once again qualified for inclusion in the England squad for the following series.

Officers elected at the 1989 AGM for the subsequent year were:- President: Jim Donnelly, Chairman: John Rolph, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith and, as agreed in the updated Rules accepted the previous year, five Committee members.

The Treasurer had proposed an increase from £7.00 to £8.00 but a lengthy discussion resulted in a further proposal of a more adequate rise to £10.00. These proposals were duly put to the vote with a clear majority for the increase to £10.00. 

Representation of the Club at the well established Fenland Country Fair at Quy to the east of Cambridge was launched in 1990. A festival of country sports and pastimes seemed an ideal place to gain publicity for Invicta FFC. A stand was devised containing much relevant information on both the Club and flyfishing in general was displayed with maps and 'photos of venues and members, a presence continuing to the present day.

Having supported occasional charitable events in the past through our angling activities such as Lord's Taverners and the Sue Ryder Homes it was decided to continue on a club basis. The unit chosen was attached to Addenbrookes hospital and supported victims of head injuries and was known as Action for Dysphasic Adults. It  aims were to support victims and their families through the traumatic effects of losing the ability to co-ordinate thought and speech due to these type of injuries.

This initiative proved successful with a substantial sum being raised so it was decided to adopt a good cause on an annual basis. The result of this decision culminated in several years of fund raising for such projects as Riding for the Disabled and the Manderson Trust which set out to provide angling facilities for wheelchair bound fishermen.

The winter programme that year had an educational bias with visits by Dr Peter Shelton, a zoologist and keen flyfisherman,  of Leicester University on 'Vision in Trout', Dr Dick Stephen, a physicist also from Leicester, on 'Nylon, Knots and Things', Marcus Warwick on Rod Building and Mike Sugg, a professional fly dresser who collects and prepares his own materials.

In 1990 Andy Linwood qualified for the England squad and Ron Asby boated the heaviest fish from Grafham for the season. This was a magnificent Brown of 13lb 15oz which was duly despatched to Chris Elliot for setting up.

The AGM in October resulted in the election of Officers as follows, President: Henry Lowe, Chairman: John Rolph, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith and a new appointment of Bookings Officer: Alan Taylor.  A Committee of five was elected to assist.

A Junior Fly Fishing Day was attempted for the first time in 1991. This initiative was a whole day project consisting of a morning of coaching and videos at PBI with the afternoon given over to a visit to Block Fen near Chatteris, with the co-operation of Chatteris Aqua Sports, to put new found skills into practice. In the event we entertained eight boys between the ages of ten and seventeen and, with most catching fish, was deemed to be worth repeating at a later date.

The AGM in October had to be aborted with fewer than the required quorum attending. The event was re-scheduled to a date in November and preceded by a Special General Meeting to amend the numbers required for a quorum. The rule was subsequently amended to require a twenty percent attendance rather than thirty three percent previously.

Officers elected for the next year were President: Henry Lowe, Chairman: Steve Middleton, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Alan Taylor with five Committee members in support.

Anglian Water ended their highly controversial period of privatising fishing on their four 'big waters' in 1992. This had been a particularly difficult period for local anglers exacerbated by AW's attempts at dealing with blue/green algae by treating all reservoirs with copious amounts of ferric sulphate.

A second Junior Fly Fishing day was arranged and attracted nine young anglers this year. On the day the rains came and not a fish was caught but, by all accounts, the enthusiasm of the youngsters and helpers was not diminished.

Contact was established in 1992 with the Bala Fishing Association and, with it, an invitation for an autumn trip to fish their stretch of the Welsh Dee for Grayling.

Another new trophy was presented this year by Mike Dawnay. The Invicta trophy would be awarded for 'the most improved angler of the year' or 'for the most meritorious act of a member'. The list of trophies at this time included the original Beecroft Shield, The Carr Cup which was bought by the Club on the sudden and early death of Richard Carr in 1980. The President's Cup presented by Bill Crouch and a relatively new award, the Brown Trout Study to be presented to the most successful angler in the B & H club eliminators. An additional award, the Hunter Bowl, would shortly be bought for the Club by Carl Hunter for a specific boat day in the Club calendar. This would be in the form of a magnificent antique bowl which, unfortunately, had to be re-silvered on arrival back from the engravers with two N's in Invicta.

Officers elected in 1992 for the subsequent year were President: Henry Lowe, Chairman: Steve Middleton, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Alan Taylor and a Committee of five in support.

Club membership had been steadily growing during this period and the early 1990's witnessed a peak of over one hundred. It was not evident at the time but a fairly rapid decline into an economic recession was to grip the country, if not the world, and with the spectre of redundancy seeming to dominate the scene a serious downturn in our numbers occurred. Tight budgetary control was required in order to maintain the traditionally high level of club activities. INVICTA had earned countrywide respect amongst fellow clubs and a high level of esprit de corps within the Club. Testament to this would be the response to, and result of, the later anniversary celebration day at Grafham Water in May 2001.

The Junior Day organized in 1993 was to prove disappointing with only four youngsters responding in spite of widespread advertising, including two slots on Radio Cambridgeshire. It was felt that influence by the anti-bloodsports groups was beginning to be felt and attempts at canvassing local schools was falling on deaf ears. Later a winter Sunday morning flytying and video session was arranged but as only two youngsters responded our Junior Day initiatives ceased.

Since Mike Dawnay had given up his tackle shop and moved away the annual meeting with the Llanilar club at Chew Valley had been continued and regularly attracted twelve members fishing from two to four days. Although essentially still not an official club event only Club members were included in the party unlike the 'private party' arrangements originated by Mike. It was at about this time that another group were attracted to the event. This was the Leslie Club from Scotland who would eventually match our numbers and make this a really successful tri-partite event.

At the AGM in October 1993 the Officers elected to serve for the following year were President: Henry Lowe, Chairman: Steve Middleton, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Mike Smith and five members of Committee.

The presence of the Cormorant, or otherwise a member of the Shag family, was now beginning to be a problem on inland waters. Although the Shag is essentially a seabird this relative was known to colonise inland but had recently undergone a breeding explosion. It was now regarded in a totally different light to the occasion some years previously when a Club member accidentally hooked and released one on a Club bank fishing day at Grafham. At a seminar arranged by the Salmon & Trout Association at Churchill College, Cambridge in 1994 it was to be shown with absolute clarity that the 'experts', the biologists, water scientists and bird groups had no real idea of the damage to both coarse and game fish stocks that this protected species was inflicting. With all of their combined knowledge on size and numbers of birds, their diet etc. they admitted they had not even considered depletion of fish stocks due to unsuccessful attacks on fish that were beyond the capability of the bird to ingest. As with almost all fishing orientated events INVICTA were represented at this seminar.

Grayling fishing during the winter months was continuing to find support with visits to both the Welsh Dee at Bala and the Laverstoke Fishery in Hampshire. To this would shortly be added another stretch of Hampshire river at Wherwell near Winchester.

A feature of Club activities since 1993 had been participation in the Greene King Abbot Ale Flyfishers Trophy. This was a three cornered event fished to reservoir rules between Grafham Water FF, East Midlands FFA and INVICTA and sponsored by Greene King brewery. This was a friendly affair which ended with a buffet style meal post-fishing at the Wheatsheaf in Perry village. Sadly this was not destined to be a long standing event.

The Association of Major Clubs competition had evolved year on year since its inception with a wide disparity of clubs taking part, although inevitably some were to fall by the wayside. Participating clubs have included various of the armed services, the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and the Metropolitan Police made a brief appearance. Another aspect has been the number of clubs, including INVICTA, who have found it possible to produce two teams annually. In the late 1990's the number of teams involved was to be in the low twenties proving, in spite of almost totally being ignored by the angling press, what an inspired initiative the idea had been. Limited recognition and sponsorship was eventually forthcoming with the participation of Angling Times.

Officers elected for year at the AGM in1994 were President: Henry Lowe, Chairman: Steve Middleton, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Mike Smith plus five Committee members. John Caldwell assumed the role of Newsletter editor from Norman Shippey who had produced forty one editions in the seven years since becoming Secretary.

The winter programme continued to provide an attractive series of speakers and other attractions, a frequency outstripping most other clubs nationwide. This year featured Peter Firth, instigator of the Association of Major Clubs, gave us a verbal tour of Bewl, Mike Sugg on flytying, John Horsey and Mike Marshall who had become a fairly regular speaker on a variety of game fishing subjects as well as taking a regular casting clinic on the PBI cricket field prior to the start of the season.

The annual dinner continued to be held at Girton College. The highlights of the after dinner entertainment being Bob Ayres inspired running of the raffle and, during his Chairmanship, we were to run the gauntlet of Steve Middleton's caustic wit. On three occasions a celebrity guest has been featured since the inception of the annual dinner but, for a variety of reasons, these did not prove popular.

Club boating events were beginning to be somewhat more social events with the introduction of pre-fishing breakfasts either in the fishing Lodges or at the local Little Chef etc. Where available post fishing sit-down meals were becoming more prevalent. This was, perhaps, linked to the format introduced by the Association of Major Clubs in 1989/90

The 1995 summer programme was also still providing a variety of fishing venues with visits to Grafham, Bewl, Draycote and Pitsford.

Over the years we have been saddened to lose several valuable and loyal members. Richard Carr was probably the first but also Stan Oxley, Barrie Cheetham, Neil Simpson, Bill Blackburn and Ron Asby. All were dedicated and active in club affairs. Whilst death is, of course, inevitable it is sad to reflect that none of these had exceeded 65 years of age. Both Neil and Bill went the best way possible by participating in their chosen sport when the call came. Although not a member at the time of his death Simon Harris had been a founder member of the Club influencing the direction of the Club in its infancy. A larger than life figure Simon was a dedicated syndicate small water fisher who wasn't really at home on the larger  reservoirs and would have supported any move which had resulted in the Club becoming more exclusive combining a much increased subscription and restricted membership.

At the AGM Officers elected for 1995/96 were President: Alan Taylor, Chairman: Steve Middleton, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: John Caldwell with the now usual Committee of five. Annual subscription was raised to £12.00.

Nigel Savage, warden at Rutland Water, paid a first visit to the Club this year as did Oliver Edwards and Peter Lapsley. John Maitland, John Wadham and Mike Sugg paid return visits. John Reynolds related, with the benefit of a home video, another of his exotic fishing expeditions. This time it was for sailfish in Kenya.

The Benson & Hedges team for 1996 enjoyed a limited return to the successes of earlier times by winning through to the International Final. Unfortunately further progress was denied them in the next Round. The team was Dave Attlesey, John Caldwell, Steve Middleton, Peter Oldham, Mark Searle and Martin Stocks.

The AGM in 1996 re-elected all standing Officers and five Committee for the year 1996/97. Subscriptions were raised by £1.00 to £13.00.

1997 was the 21st anniversary of the Club and a special fishing day was organized at Grafham. The original plans had to be abandoned due to some fearsome weather in the days prior to the scheduled event which damaged or sunk several boats at their moorings. However, the event was successfully re-arranged complete with a post weigh-in meal in Grafham Lodge followed by presentation of prizes which included many novelty awards. A very successful event and, as it transpired, an excellent dress rehearsal for a much larger celebration on the occasion of the INVICTA 25th Anniversary in 2001 which would subsequently be recounted fully at that time.

It had become apparent that the Benson & Hedges competition was about to expire and, in addition, interest in the competition amongst members had declined to the extent that the eliminating process was no longer viable. Under the circumstances it was decided that a Proposal should be put to the forthcoming AGM to remove the B & H rules from the Club Constitution and Rules.

It was thought appropriate that a change of venue for the annual dinner was in order after eight years at Girton College and at this point Mark Searle stepped into the breach by offering the facilities of the Arundel House Hotel. The offer was quickly taken up and the Arundel was still the venue in the year 2001.

The ACA, now the Anglers' Conservation Association celebrated fifty years of fighting pollution through the means of common law in 1997. It was thought appropriate that a return visit should be arranged, Allen Edwards had visited several years earlier. Jane Brett, in her capacity as Director of ACA and shortly to become Jane James,  and Bob James shared a very entertaining evening. Graham Ward introduced us to an evening of Float Tubing and a return visit by Charles Jardine were the mainstay of the current winter programme.

The AGM of 1997 agreed on an additional Officer with the inclusion of the post of Vice Chairman. This position was created without extending the total Committee membership.

Officers elected for the 1997/98 year were President: Alan Taylor, Chairman: John Caldwell, Vice Chairman: Mark Searle, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Mike Smith with only four Committee members.

The INVICTA calendar had over the past few years been approaching saturation point. Weekday fishing trips were now more prevalent, both Club and Major Clubs events. To this was now added the Tuesday Evening League to fish the last four hours of the day. Boat partners were to be drawn on the evening and Anglian Water generously awarded a weekday boat ticket for the 'best bag' and subsidized post- fishing sandwiches and chips.

The B & H competition had now been replaced by the House of Hardy. With the abandonment of the eliminating process used for the B & H team selection was to be the responsibility of the Committee who would nominate a member to act on the Committee's behalf. Chris McLeod was handed responsibility for this onerous task.

Following a recent visit by Graham Ward, Secretary of the Float Tubing Association, members were given the opportunity to try this somewhat novel method of fishing for trout at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Judging by the numbers responding INVICTA members are, perhaps, not as intrepid as has sometimes been claimed. However another 'first time' initiative.

In 1998 a party consisting of Doug Head, Chris McLeod, Carl Hunter and John Caldwell sallied forth across the Irish Sea to sample trout and salmon fishing on Lough Conn in Ireland.

A subscription increase to £15.00 was recommended and accepted at the 1998 AGM. There was no change in the election of Officers or Committee from 1997 for the year 1998/99.

Carl Hunter qualified to fish for England in the Home Internationals for 1999.

Established members were saddened to learn of the death of Ken Gash in 1999. As has been mentioned earlier in this to me Ken had been forced to give up his shop in Comberton in 1985 and had taken over the smallwater fishery at Swanscombe Farm in Essex.

Membership at this time had stabilised at around sixty, a far cry from the heady days of the late 1980's and early1990's. The Committee were to commit much time and thought to this problem. There was, however, some consolation in the fact that with careful budgeting there had been no need to curtail any of the Club's activities.

Concern had been raised by the possibility of losing our winter venue at PBI following yet another reshuffle within the Company. Although there was a temporary respite with the provision of a large Porta-cabin the arrangement was shortlived. A flurry of enquiries and visits to possible venues settled the issue and a decision to adopt Harston Village Hall commencing in the autumn of the year 2000 was taken.

Minor success was achieved in the House of Hardy in that the INVICTA team of Doug Head, John Caldwell, Graham Williams, Mark Searle, Peter Oldham and Chris McLeod survived the First Round but succumbed two days later when, unfortunately, they finished last.

Anglian Water were experimenting at this time with 'catch and release' at Ravensthorpe. Evidence of the success of this was the extension to cover all four waters in the year 2000.

The 'Brown Trout Study' originally awarded to the best rod in the B & H Club eliminators would in future find a home with the most successful angler during the course of the Tuesday Evening League.

With fishing extended to the end of December on Grafham Mark Searle organized a series of bank trips to a variety of small waters and one to Grafham this year. Predictably this programme is very weather dependant and calls for last minute decisions by would be participants.

The AGM in October 1999 resulted in there being no change in the election of  Officers for the third consecutive year. President: Alan Taylor, Chairman: John Caldwell, Vice Chairman: Mark Searle, Secretary: Norman Shippey, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Mike Smith plus a Committee of four were to stand for the year 1999/2000. The Secretary took this opportunity to give notice of his retirement in that role at the AGM in October 2000.

The success in some areas of hunting and shooting in favour of the anti bloodsports lobby continued to  focus members thoughts on the future risk to our sport. It was becoming apparent that there was some disparity of opinion on how close an association with other threatened sports was sensible or advisable. The Newsletter at this time carried articles highlighting these uncertainties which only the passing of time would clarify. However, indecision now could prove our downfall at a later date.

Another visit to the Emerald Isle by an INVICTA group, this time to the River Blackwater, was less than successful. The old story of being in the right place but on the wrong week. In spite of the lack of fish credit should always be awarded for initiative and it just goes to prove the claim that INVICTA FFC is genuinely a flyfishing, rather than just a trout fishing club. This has been a feature of our winter programme virtually from day one with evenings devoted to the pursuit of all game species on the fly. The party this time consisted of John Krailing, John Brownbridge, Chris McLeod, Mike Smith and Peter Oldham.

Preparations were in embryo stage for the celebration of our 25th Anniversary. It was intended hold the event as near as possible to the exact anniversary date of the sixth April 2001.

David Cheesley captured a fine rainbow at Elinor fishery of 12lb 2oz to gain him a place in the Troutmasters Final. On the occasion of the Fir & Feather match at Ravensthorpe in November Graham Williams had just one offer during his days fishing. The result being a rainbow of 13lb exactly, the heaviest fish from that lake for the season.

The AGM in October 2000 was held in the Village Hall at Harston, a move which seemed to provide for all our needs for the winter programme.

Officers elected at this time were President: Steve Middleton, Chairman: John Caldwell, Vice Chairman: Mark Searle, Treasurer: Graden Smith, Bookings Officer: Mike Smith. As documented at the previous AGM the Secretary, Norman Shippey, retired and, in the absence of a volunteer, the position remained vacant. A Committee of four was also elected at this time.

An increase in subscriptions was recommended by the Committee and the Members decided the increase should be in the order of œ2.00 to œ17.00.

The main priority of the newly elected administration was to finalize arrangements for the Club 25th Anniversary. This was completed with considerable success and took place exactly twenty five years and one month after the inaugural meeting. Guests of Members, angling celebrities, fishing clubs and representatives from Water Authorities were invited to the event held at Grafham Water on 6th May 2001. Amongst clubs represented were Llanilar from Aberystwyth and Leslie in Scotland. The event was in the form of a fishing day followed by a meal in Grafham Lodge together with prize giving and social occasion. A full report of this event will be recorded separately.

During the past twenty five years INVICTA FFC has graduated from an embryo club of a dozen or so Members to a peak in the early 1990's of over one hundred. At the time of completing this record membership is around sixty and appears to be in-line with the experience of many other groups both angling and diverse other interests finding difficulty in attracting new blood. Potential members are drawn naturally to fishing clubs affiliated to large or small fisheries but the INVICTA policy of featuring all flyfishing species continues to provide an attraction. This attraction is enhanced by the traditional comprehensive winter programme which has been sustained throughout the entire life of the Club. Scanning through the Newsletters of twenty five years reveals many present and past names of repute from our sport.

The feeling within the Club at the present time is that moral is high and, without doubt, INVICTA FLY FISHING CLUB is eagerly anticipating the next twenty five years.