A History of the Society

The society was formed on the 6th April 1936, following an inaugural meeting at the Kings Arms Hotel in Haslemere. At this meeting a committee was established which the minutes show comprised of Doctor R J Hutchinson as president, two vice presidents Mrs J H Baker and A Aubefin.

The Treasurer elected was Mr G Moorey, the proprietor of the Kings Arms Hotel in Haslemere. The secretary was Mr B D Elliot and a committee was formed of Messrs A Bicknell Senior, W Young, P Barnett, E Pringle, N Penycate and F G Studwick. The Chairman was Captain F G Bellamy.

Prior to this meeting angling in Haslemere was carried out by groups of anglers on an informal basis who fished local waters at least two years prior to the formation of the club.

Following this meeting local papers reported on the new society and stated "This club should prove an asset to Haslemere and district". It was shortly after this that the club was granted permission by the Council to use Sicklemill Pond, and since this time the club has fished local waters and at one stage also had occasional sea fishing trips.

Since its foundation the club has been fortunate to have a handful of dedicated officers who have given up their time voluntarily. The most notable of these was Barry Elliott who served as Secretary and Chairman from 1936 through to his retirement through ill helath in 1970.

Norman Penycate served on the committee to become treasurer until his death in 1971. F G Strudwick served on the committee and then as secretary from 1936 through to 1954. Alec Bicknell Jnr. was elcted to the committee in 1954 became secretary in 1963, until 1972, he was then made treasurer and in 1984 became Life President. Alec Bicknell died in 1998 and in recognition of his work the pond that was formally known as the Channel Pond at Shillinglee, has been named Bicknell's Pond.

Malcolm Traviss the current Chairman was elected on to the committee in 1966 and has served as the Secretary and is Chairman after a short break of three years when he moved out of the area.

In April 2003 Fernhurst A C , the other local club has joined into Haslemere, adding three waters. This was the club we had the associate arrangement with.