Notice Board

Letter from Mark Searle

To all Invicta members

I would like to thank all involved in the organization of the Invicta annual dinner, it was a very enjoyable evening with plenty of good food and friendly company, which we saw some new faces and a good number of the regular faces.

I would like to congratulate all the trophy winners on the night, it was good to see some new faces winning trophies, one of which was Matt Collerson who unfortunately missed out on being presented his trophy due to a moved name card.

I was delighted to be awarded the Invicta trophy it is a great honour . I feel I am suffering from a bit of imposter syndrome, as there are many Invicta members that are more than worthy of this trophy and far too many for me to risk trying to name.

I have been a member of the Invicta committee for more years than I would care to remember, I have enjoyed my time on the committee and seeing how the club has grown and how it has gained reconnection with other clubs and the fact we now look like a smart and proud fishing club and not just bunch of guys going fishing. Also over the years the club has encouraged youth and lady anglers to take up fly fishing, which I’m sure will continue.

There comes a time when you realise it’s time to move on and let some new blood take the reins. I was very pleased when Neil Potts showed interest in taken on the roll of booking officer which he is proving to be outstanding and enthusiastic and his partner in crime Steve Harding between them they have done an amazing job in setting up Club Mate for the club, along with Andy Trafakowski who has taken on the website and is also doing a great job.

Invicta has a very pro active committee which is forward thinking and is occasionally looking for new members, so if you feel you would like to help shape the way the club is run or have some ideas you feel would help the club in anyway put yourself forward when a vacancy comes up, it is a great way to get to know the club members and make new friends.

I am still prepared help the club out when and where needed and hopefully I will now be able to concentrate on my fishing a little bit more.

I wish the committee and the members all the very best for the new season.

 

Tight lines to all

 

Mark Searle              

 

 


Passing of Jim Donnelly

Older members will remember Jim Donnelly, a forthright Scottish ex Invicta member, who sadly has recently died. Jim joined in 1980, was a keen angler and committee member. He fished for many years in the Benson & Hedges team ( forerunner of AMFC). He resigned from the Club in 2001 when he moved back to Scotland.


Changes within Invicta FFC Organisation

The committee of Invicta work hard to ensure the smooth running of the club and unlike some committees every member has a specific job within the club; no one is just ‘on the committee’. To ensure the continued success and growth of our club it is important and correct that new blood comes in from time to time to take over from the previous incumbent, this often brings  along with it new ideas and keeps the club healthy.

At the end of this season three long standing members will be standing down and the process of replacing their roles has already started to ensure a seamless handover.

After nearly 10 years of managing our club website and building it into one of the best fly fishing clubs websites, Paul Heavens is handing over to Andy Trafankowski. Andy is a very active member of Invicta and has wide IT experience; he took over from Paul following the committee’s October meeting.

Mark Searle has been an incredibly hard working bookings officer for many years and during this season has gradually been passing on his accumulated knowledge to Neil Potts. Neil has already organised some of our monthly outings and matches and is proving to be both competent and proactive in the role.

Finally the clubs long serving treasurer Alan Prevost has decided to retire from this most important position at the 2024 AGM. Alan is our longest ever serving treasurer and will be difficult to replace. He is currently being assisted by Steve Harding but currently no firm decision has been made on his replacement.

Mark, Paul and Alan remain on the committee until the AGM in February when they formally end their term of office, until then, Neil and Andy are co-opted members at which point they will be proposed as new members.


 A Great win for Invicta Pair

Congratulations to Tony Smith and Simon Peck on winning the Carsington Autumn Pairs Match on Saturday 7th October. 

A great performance and Tony also won the John Wilson Trophy for the largest fish.


 


INVICTA FFC MEMBERSHIP OFFER

Join Invicta anytime before the end of the year and it will automatically include all of 2024.

 
We are a very welcoming club and have a membership ranging from beginners to England Internationals. Newcomers to fly fishing are always looked after by being paired with experienced members. We also run ‘Improvers’ days where you can spend a day or half day boat fishing with some of our most experienced anglers.
 
To join, follow the link below to take you to our ‘Membership Page’.
 
 

Invicta Member’s WhatsApp Group

In addition to this website and our Facebook page, Invicta has a member’s only WhatsApp group which you can join by contacting David Moore or Paul Heavens; include your mobile phone number. You will need to have WhatsApp installed on your phone to be able to join the group.

Once you have been accepted you can post to the group such things as requests for boat partners, requests for items of tackle wanted or for sale, details of how venues are fishing etc. The group should not be used for jokes, non fishing or other unhelpful content.

We also endeavour to post last minute information such as if the Grafham Evening Fishing (or other events) are cancelled at short notice due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Remember, if you don’t want lots of pings every time a new item is posted, you can silence notifications on your device.     If you require any more information please contact David or Paul.


 

 

 


Membership Subscription 2024

I hope everyone has enjoyed a great Christmas break and has a Happy New Year ahead!
As you know, January is membership renewal time for the club so please see below the usual payment options and details. A membership application form for new members or anybody whose contact details may have changed and need updating can be found on the Membership/Contacts page.  If your details haven’t changed, there is no need to fill in the form.

As usual, please use your name as reference when using bank transfer and if you could confirm either to myself or Alan Prevost when you have paid, it would be much appreciated and makes it easier for us to keep track as payments often come in together.

Individual membership this year remains at £20.00, family membership £35.00 and junior membership for those under 18, or in full time education remains free.

Bank transfer –     
Invicta Fly Fishing Club
Account Number: 70514004
Sort code: 20-43-63

By cheque – Payable to Invicta Fly Fishing Club

Post to –
Steve Harding
51 Harrow Road
Leighton Buzzard
Beds
LU7 4UF

Tight lines for 2023

Steve Harding  (Mob – 07877 313 516)

 


Invicta Committee Meetings

Your Committee meet four or five times a year to manage the club and its events. We are always happy to discuss any issues or ideas that members may have, it’s your club after all!

If you ever have any matters that you would like the committee to discuss please feel free to raise it with one of the members or contact our secretary Paul Stevens who will ensure that it is put on the agenda.

Our next meeting is on the 6th February 2024

faith.paul@btinternet.com

                               

‘Team Invicta’ Caps

Team Invicta hat

Has your old Invicta cap become faded and tatty, or perhaps you have not had one before?

The club now has a new stock of the ‘Team Invicta’ cap for sale. These distinctive ‘one size fits all’ caps are available from Alan Prevost at the bargain price of £8.

Drop Alan an email or give him a call (01954 230678) and he will make sure you get one.
email: Alan Prevost

Invicta Beanie Hats

Why not treat yourself to one of our top quality ‘Beanie’ Hats. Ideal for those cold winter days. Excellent value at only £6.

We have a limited quantity so if you would like one, contact David Moore.

David

If you have any questions, please email me: Click here

Invicta on Facebook

Facebook logoThe Invicta FFC Facebook page can be accessed by clicking on the Facebook symbol at the bottom right hand side of the footer on every page or the  ‘Find us on Facebook’ symbol on the left.

The page is hosted by David Moore and Paul Heavens and gives those joining it the opportunity to read comments left by other members and post messages of their own. So for example if you have visited a fishery that impressed you; know that a particular event is happening or just have some thoughts you wish to air, why not share it with others.

Usual rules of common sense apply i.e. nothing offensive or libellous.

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